One of the most exciting, and sometimes nail-biting, parts of planning your wedding will be deciding who will be in your bridal party (just the girls) or wedding party (if you choose a mix of your fav people).
While some couples have known since kindergarten who will be in their wedding party, others are making choices based on practicality, budget, distance, how many guests will be invited and the formality of their plans. There's a lot to consider!
Once you've finally landed on your people, if you're struggling with the perfect way to propose to your future bridesmaids, groomsmen or wedding party, we’re here to help!
Although proposing to your bridesmaids is often done informally, there are some new and fun alternatives for creating a personal and meaningful proposal for each of them.
One popular way to make your squad feel special and to pop the question is with a bridesmaid proposal box.
These bridesmaid proposal boxes make the perfect gift for your maid of honour, your bridesmaids or your flower girls and are a memorable way to propose to your bridesmaids. With all the pampering items inside the box, it's sure to be a much appreciated and practical gift too.
Here are some of our favourite bridesmaid proposal ideas you can use or adapt to propose to your lovely friends to be part of your bridesmaid squad.
Don’t forget the rest of your wedding or bridal party too; junior bridesmaids, flower girls, your groomsmen, page boys and ring bearers. A great gender-neutral term that includes everyone is “I Do Crew”.
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#1—Gift your bridesmaids a lasting symbol of your friendship
One of the best ways to propose to your bridesmaids is by gifting them a lasting symbol of the bond you share. This permanent token will serve as a reminder of their role in your wedding when you look back on this experience in years to come.
The presentation of this gift is also a great opportunity for you and your friends to get together and celebrate your upcoming nuptials!
You'll want to make this shared moment just as meaningful for them as it is for you by choosing a token that has some personal meaning or significance to them.
One way you can do this is by including some symbolism in a piece of jewellery that will be cherished forever and includes their birthstone or custom engraving.
A personalised necklace or bracelet made of silver or gold, which you can use to capture the date of your wedding and the initials or names of your bridesmaids is a great choice.
#2—Surprise your future bridesmaids with a statement shirt, pajamas or robe
Another bridesmaid proposal idea is having your bridesmaid’s role or initials printed on a shirt or a bathrobe.
These practical gifts (brilliant for the morning of your wedding and the getting ready photos) are also a cute way for your loved ones to become close with one another and feel appreciated.
A statement shirt, bath robe, pajamas or mix and match lounge wear communicates the proposal and how special they are to you without having to say a word.
#3—Pamper your people with some ‘me’ time
Give your soul sisters some well-deserved pampering by proposing to them with a Bridesmaid’s Proposal Bath Bomb.
Or show them your love and appreciation through an all-in-one spa kit that they can enjoy and unwind within the comfort of their own home.
Giving them self-care gifts can also work as a fun and budget-friendly DIY hens group activity that you can do during a casual get-together in the lead-up to your big day.
#4—Long-distance bridesmaid proposal
A bridesmaid proposal box can also be sent to your friends or family who live in another city, state or even country to ask them to be your maid of honour, bridesmaid or flower girl.
A DIY bridesmaid proposal box can be packed with pretty much anything, but typically includes a card with your proposal written inside and 3 or 5 small, yet thoughtful items.
You can add little gifts to your bridesmaid proposal box like:
The personalised card you send can also be used to explain how much your bridesmaids mean to you, why you want them as your maid of honour, and sometimes, your expectations of their role in your wedding planning and big day (e.g. "I’d love for you to prepare a speech for the reception or read a poem during our ceremony").
There’s no need for anyone to miss out, even if your bridesmaids live far away from you, as you can still send over a proposal package that expresses your message, captures all of your emotions and makes them feel special too.
Sometimes a complete ready-made solution is easier for longer distances (think, reducing courier costs) and better for the budget.
#5—Create a personal and meaningful bridesmaid proposal for each of them
One of the most crucial aspects of wedding planning is choosing the right people to stand beside you when you say “I do.”
While you may have the choice of several friends or family who would feel honoured to be so closely involved in your big day, it all comes down to the relationship dynamics between you and their personalities; who is going to contribute to and improve your wedding planning experience and your wedding day?
Because it’s one thing to say “my wedding day just wouldn’t be the same without them” and another thing entirely to say “my wedding day would be more awesome with them”.
Just as your potential bridesmaids or wedding party all have different personalities, likes and dislikes, don’t feel pressured to have just the one approach for all your bridesmaids' proposals.
It’s okay (and makes complete sense) to arrange a more personal and intimate bridesmaid proposal for your sister (if you feel particularly close to them) than your university friends or work colleagues, for example.
You might consider a night with your best friend at your favourite cocktail bar as the perfect place to propose while you may want to just flick a cute card to your cousin.
Each bridesmaid can have their very own unique proposal moment with you in a way that perfectly suits their personality and relationship with you.
For those sweary friends, those that are more like twins and those who can finish your sentences, an anti-proposal might hit the spot. We love these cards and glasses to propose without proposing.
#6—Pop the question with some sweet treats
No one says no to a yummy treat or tasty snack.
Send your proposal question along with a bottle of bubbles or a couple of wedding-themed cookies for your bridesmaids to enjoy!
Other edible bridesmaids proposal ideas include:
themed cupcakes
macarons
pretzels (I can't tie the knot without you!)
doughnuts
locally brewed craft beers
a cocktail kit from Mr Consistent or The Budgie Store (in Australia)
custom/personalised champagne or wine - seriously, look at these cool designs below! Use the Etsy coupon code UNBRIDELY15 when you add your labels to cart for a 15% discount on all bridal/engagement listings by Pretty Little Mess (avail until 31Dec22)
How much should you spend on bridesmaid proposal gifts?
While it can be challenging to budget for bridesmaid proposal gifts, or know how much is appropriate to spend, it's important to remember that whatever you decide to give doesn’t reflect how much your family or friends mean to you or how important they are in your life.
Our best advice would be to personalise the bridesmaid proposal gift, card or experience while keeping the value about the same across your bridal or wedding party.
A genius way of keeping your wedding party, groomsmen or bridesmaid proposals under budget is to gift them on your family and friends birthdays.
Handy ways of measuring what’s reasonable to spend are:
a percentage of the total budget of your wedding,
the level of formality of your day, or
the amount of money you are expecting your bridesmaids to spend on items like their dresses/attire for your wedding day, hair and makeup services, travel etc.
Spending more money doesn’t necessarily mean that the gesture will be better received or more valuable to the recipient.
Generally, the more thoughtful and personalised the gift or proposal, the better.
Have fun with it and think of the bridesmaid proposal as a special moment to show your gratitude to your people for their contribution, love and support in your life.
