Asking your closest friends to be your bridesmaids is the perfect opportunity to show them how important they are to you—and have a little (or a lot) of fun in the process. To help you plan your perfect bridesmaid proposal, we’re sharing some of the most unique ways to invite your nearest and dearest to stand by your side on the big day and all the days leading up to it. Plus, we have answers to some of your most common questions about what to say, how much to spend, when to ask, and more.
Creative Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas
- Write a heartfelt message (more on this soon) to each person in a stylish “Will You Be My Bridesmaid? card and include a favorite photo of the two of you.
- Blow up a confetti-filled balloon and put a safety pin inside of a note that they can use to “pop!” the question.
- If all your bridesmaids-to-be live nearby, invite them over for pizza night or a dinner party and then raise a toast—and pop the question to them with personalized champagne glasses and bottles of bubbly.
- Set up a one-on-one coffee date with each person and ask the barista ahead of time to write “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on the cup instead of your friend's name.
- Give each person a special dress hanger that’s been personalized with their name, or a bridesmaid robe for them to wear on the wedding day.
- Invite everyone to a wine and paint night, pottery class, or flower-arranging workshop and pop the question there.
- Treat your pals to mani-pedis at the nail salon and gift them with a bottle of Essie’s "Bachelorette Bash" polish along with a card explaining that you’d like them to wear the color on your wedding day.
- Create a custom puzzle with a photo of you and your friend. Minted offers tons of fun (and easy!) options that can be customized with text like “Be my bridesmaid?” and your wedding date.
- You can never go wrong with flowers! Pick out bouquets you know each of your bridesmaids-to-be will love and have them delivered.
Bridesmaid Proposal Cards: What To Write Inside
Asking your best friends to be in your bridal party via a bridesmaid proposal card lets them know how much their friendship means to you—and gets them excited for what's to come. Deliver the card in person if you can, or send it in the mail with a gift box or small gift (a mini bottle of champagne or a sweet treat, if that’s in your budget).
Not sure what to write in the card? Here are some ideas
- “It’s my turn to pop the question.”
- “Help me keep my shit together.”
- “I’ll only be a happy bride if my best friend is by my side.”
- “I can’t say ‘I do’ without you.”
- “Plan with me, stand with me, cry with me, laugh with me. Will you be my bridesmaid?”
- “My ‘I do’ would not be the same without you.”
- “Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue—and you.”
- “It wouldn't be a bridal party without you.”
- “Will you help make the best day ever even better by being my bridesmaid?”
- “Half of the groomsmen are single. Be my bridesmaid?”
- “By luck we became sisters; by love we became friends. I couldn’t imagine getting married without you by my side!”
- “My wedding day wouldn’t be complete without you standing beside me. Be my bridesmaid?”
- “As I prepare for the day I’ll be a bride, it would mean the world to me to have you by my side!”
- “A toast to us being lifelong friends. Will you be my bridesmaid?”
- “You’re not just a friend, you’re also a sister to me. I would be so grateful if you would be my bridesmaid and help me create lifelong memories.”
- “I am so grateful for your friendship. Will you help me create a day full of love and joy by being my bridesmaid?”
What To Put In A Bridesmaid Proposal Box
Treat your besties to a box of thoughtful goodies they can use before the wedding and on the big day. (Not sure what your wedding style is? Take our quiz to help you pin it down.)
Theme: Let's Celebrate
- A framed "Heart Snapshot Mix" photo gift with pictures of the two of you
- Mini bottles of champagne
- Customized wine glasses or tumblers
- Confetti poppers
- Mini disco balls
- “Bridesmaid” T-shirts or sweatshirts
Theme: Prepped & Pampered
- Nail polish or press-on nail kits
- Sheet masks and under-eye patches
- Lip gloss
- Fizzy bath bombs
- Floral-print robes
- Monogrammed slippers
- Matching or personalized claw clips
- Dried floral arrangements
- Sweet treats, like champagne gummies or truffles
Theme: Rustic
- Personalized tin mugs
- Matching beanies
- Cozy socks
- Spiked hot cocoa kits
- Vintage compact mirrors
- Personalized tote bags
- Mini jars of jam
Theme: Luxe
- Personalized jewelry (initial necklaces, lockets, or signet rings)
- Custom candles
- Mini bottles of their favorite perfume
- Cozy wraps or silk scarfs
- French macarons
- Silk scrunchies or hair ties
- Forever roses
Theme: Bohemian
- Friendship bracelets
- Air plants
- Affirmation, tarot, or conversation-starter card decks
- Their favorite tea or coffee
- Customized key chains
- Monogrammed journals
Theme: Destination Wedding
- Personalized passport covers or luggage tags
- Travel-size toiletries
- Mini travel journals
- Airplane cocktail kits
- Silk eye masks
- Polaroid cameras and film
Theme: Outdoorsy
- Heart-shaped or customized “bridesmaid” sunglasses
- Fun-in-the-sun essentials (mini sunscreen, hair ties, cute Band-Aids, etc.)
- Small art print of your favorite places
- Personalized water bottles
- Custom stickers for their water bottles
- Locally made granola or honey
Bridesmaid Proposal Etiquette & FAQ
When should you propose to your bridesmaid?
Typically you want to pop the question two to three months after you get engaged. Asking your friends to be your bridesmaids early gives them plenty of time to block off time (and potentially save money) for all of your bridal events, including your engagement party, bachelorette party, bridal shower, and more.
Do you need to propose to your bridesmaids all at once?
It’s totally up to you; if you prefer something more intimate, feel free to ask them one at a time. If you go the individual route, aim to ask everyone within a week so no one feels left out. This could mean lining up a few friend dates or arranging for gift boxes to be delivered on the same day.
How much should you spend on your bridesmaid proposals?
There’s no minimum; what matters is that you feel comfortable with the cost. When deciding how much to spend, keep in mind that it’s traditional to also give your bridesmaids a thank-you gift on your wedding day. And don’t feel pressured to put together an Instagram-worthy bridesmaid proposal; a cute card with a heartfelt message can be just as meaningful as a basket of goodies.
Should you get your maid of honor a special proposal gift?
Many brides opt to spend a little bit more on a special gift for their maid or matron (or man!) of honor. With that said, even if you don’t have room in your proposal budget to spend more, you’ll likely want to give your MOH a gift or card that’s slightly different from everyone else’s.
Where can I buy bridesmaid proposal gifts?
Minted offers a great selection of bridesmaid gifts, including bridesmaid proposal boxes and customizable photo art, bags, and puzzles for you to lavish your bridesmaids with.
