So you just got engaged to the love of your life and you’re over the moon! Now it’s time to start thinking about the people you want standing beside you on your big day. You might know right off the bat who you want your bridesmaids to be, but how do you go about asking them? To give you some inspiration, we’ve compiled a list of bridesmaid ask ideas of all kinds — from creative, funny, to heartfelt.
Bridesmaid proposals don’t have to be expensive or fancy. The most important thing is to make sure they know you value them and their friendship. Here are 18 bridesmaid ask ideas to get you started.
Unique and Creative Bridesmaid Ask Ideas
1. Printed Macarons
If you have foodie friends, why not go with an edible proposal? Macarons come in tons of different colors and taste great, making them the perfect baked good to use. Ask the baker to calligraph a word onto each cookie to spell out your proposal and then tie it all together with a pretty box and packaging.
2. Game Night Pictionary
Get everyone together for a night full of games and fun. Games like charades and pictionary are perfect for cleverly including a proposal. Or, you can get creative with it and hand out prize boxes at the end of the night with personalized proposal cards in each.
3. Propose With Humor
Sometimes, the best way to pop the “Will you be my bridesmaid?” question is by showing your humorous side. A simple card with an inside joke or pun can go a long way. For example:
- Turns out I like him more than I originally planned! Be my bridesmaid?
- Will you be my bridesmaid? I promise I won’t make you wear an ugly dress!
- Will you be my Maid of Honor? I promise not to go all Bridezilla on you!
4. Custom Shirts
Getting custom t-shirts or sweatshirts made is one of the most common bridesmaid ask ideas — and for good reason! Not only is this a super cute gift to give as you pop the question, but now everyone will also have matching shirts to wear to the bachelorette party and rehearsal!
5. Scratch-Off Card
Rather than your typical proposal card, send a custom card for your friends to scratch off that reveals a message asking them to be your bridesmaids. You could even personalize the cards and envelopes to each of your friends’ personalities. And don’t forget to include coins in the envelopes for scratching!
6. Fortune Cookies
Invite your girls over for a night of movies and Chinese takeout. After dinner, hand out custom-made fortune cookie treats. You can find these online and have them customized with a message of your choosing. The best part of asking this way is that they most definitely won’t see it coming!
7. Luggage Tag
Having a dreamy destination wedding? If so, an easy and subtle way to ask your bridesmaids is by sending them personalized luggage tags. On the tags, include their name, and the word “Bridesmaid.” Then engrave the back of the tag with a phrase like, “Meet me in [destination]?”
8. Brunch Date
Have your pals meet up with you for a simple brunch date. This way, you can propose to everyone as a group as you enjoy breakfast drinks and food. A brunch proposal may sound simplistic, but asking all your friends at once rather than individually can take the pressure off both you and them.
9. Dinner and Wine
If you want to take it a step up from brunch, invite your girls out to a fancy dinner to celebrate your engagement. If you’re a straightforward kind of person, you can just ask them directly after enjoying your meal. Or, coordinate with the restaurant to have proposal cards placed in each menu beforehand.
10. Gift Basket
Don’t really want to go all out with your bridesmaid proposals? A safe bet is to go with a simple gift basket full of goodies. Personalize each box to the person and their own unique likes and dislikes. You can throw in just about anything, but here are some ideas to get you started:
- Candy
- Baked goods
- Face masks
- Bath bombs
- Jewelry
- Wine
Don’t forget to include a handwritten note from you asking them to be your bridesmaid!
11. Send Flowers
If you’ve ever received a fresh bouquet of flowers from a secret admirer, you know how flattering and thrilling it can be. Working with a florist to send out hand-picked arrangements can be a fun way to ask your bridesmaids. Remember to include a note with the flower that says “Will you be my bridesmaid?”
12. Heartfelt Note
Maybe over-the-top gestures just aren’t your thing. Luckily, bridesmaid ask ideas don’t really need to be grand. Writing a heartfelt note telling your friend how much you love and value them and want them to be a part of your wedding can be just as (if not more) impactful than any gesture.
13. Friendship Bracelets
Asking your childhood friends to be bridesmaids? If so, there’s no better way than by handing out friendship bracelets! It’ll be even more special if you hand make it yourself, and there are tons of tutorials out there you can follow. You can also purchase bridesmaids bracelets online that include a proposal card.
14. Custom Wine Labels
Plan a wine night with all of your gals and then surprise them each with a bottle of wine with a customized label asking, “[Name], will you be my bridesmaid?” This personalized proposal idea makes an excellent gift that they’ll be sure to enjoy!
15. Bridesmaid Ornaments
Bridesmaid ornaments are an especially good proposal option if you’re having a December wedding! You can have the question written on the ornament itself or include a separate note. Either way, an ornament makes for a special keepsake that they can hang up each year to reminisce.
16. Mug Message
Organize a group coffee date or one-on-ones at your home. Surprise your friends with personalized mugs with their monograms or pop culture references from their favorite TV show. Have the big question engraved at the bottom of the mug so they won’t see it until they finish their drink!
17. Slumber Party
Host a slumber party where you and your girls get together to gossip, watch romantic comedies, and have pillow fights. Talk about a blast from the past! This proposal idea is perfect for asking childhood friends who you grew up with to be your bridesmaids.
18. Personalized Cameos
Cameos are a service that allow you to book personalized shout-outs from musicians, professional athletes, reality TV stars, and more. This virtual bridesmaid proposal idea is perfect if you manage to book someone your friend is a huge fan of. Not only will they remember it for a lifetime, but they’ll be able to rewind and rewatch the proposal again and again.
FAQs
What should I write in my bridesmaid proposal card?
What you should write in your bridesmaid proposal card depends on the unique relationship you have with that person. How long have you known them? What role do they play in your life and what do they mean to you? Write a genuine and authentic note explaining why you want them to be a part of your special day. Including an inside joke or message can also add a special touch.
When should I ask my friends to be bridesmaids?
A good time to ask your friends to be bridesmaids is between 6 and 8 months before your wedding date. This will give them adequate time to prepare, plan the bachelorette party, and get fitted for their bridesmaid dresses. If you ask any later than 6 months out, you run the risk of them possibly saying no because they can’t make the commitment.
How many bridesmaids should I ask to be in my wedding?
Having between 4 and 6 bridesmaids is the norm for many brides. With that said, it’s your wedding, so you can have as many (or as few) bridesmaids as you want. Also consider that some friends may reject your bridesmaid proposal, so you might want to have some “backups” in mind.
We hope this list of bridesmaid ask ideas inspired you! When it comes to asking your friends to be bridesmaids, the possibilities are pretty much endless. Whether you want to go big with an extravagant gesture or keep it lowkey with a personalized note, they’ll appreciate knowing you want them to be a part of your special day.
