The Ultimate Guide to Bridesmaid Proposals
Image Source: Joeyy Lee
In This Blog
For most couples, a proposal is what starts the exciting process of getting married. While the first proposal is all about popping the question with an engagement ring in hand, there are emerging wedding traditions that have another kind of proposal in mind. Bridesmaid proposals are an increasingly popular part of weddings that help brides and their bridesmaids share in the excitement of the celebrations.
Today, many brides are looking to do more than ask their chosen friends and family if they want to be bridesmaids. There are new ways to add excitement and appreciation to this question. You can send your potential bridesmaids a gift box themed to the pivotal question, give them a card, give them a gift, or even send them on a scavenger hunt that ends with a reveal of the age-old question: Will you be my bridesmaid?
These new approaches to forming your bridal party are all referred to as bridesmaid proposals, and there’s no wrong way to ask. Whether you’re having an extravagant ceremony or a low-key courthouse wedding, bridesmaid proposals can be a great choice. Explore our bridesmaid proposal guide to learn more about how to ask your bridesmaids if they’d like to be part of your wedding.
What is a Bridesmaid Proposal?
A bridesmaid proposal is a wedding tradition in which brides ask their friends or loved ones to be in their wedding party through thoughtful gifts, creative activities, heartfelt cards, or by simply asking. The more elaborate approaches to bridesmaid proposals are a relatively new wedding tradition that has gained popularity in recent years.
Bridesmaid Proposal Benefits
Image Source: Céline Druguet
Today’s creative bridesmaid proposals have many benefits. They can help your bridesmaids feel the wedding festivities long before the big day, bringing excitement to every aspect of wedding planning. Gifts, cards and other thoughtful gestures can also help you show your bridesmaids how much you appreciate their participation in your wedding and its related festivities.
Popular Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas
Just as your partner proposed to you in a way that’s unique to your relationship, your bridesmaid proposal is a personal decision that can vary. You should consider the styles and personalities of your bridesmaids to cater their proposal elements. Some of the most popular ideas for proposing to bridesmaids include proposal gift boxes, cards, meals, and creative proposals that are tailored to your bridesmaids.
Bridesmaid Proposal Box
Gift boxes known as bridesmaid proposal boxes are the leading way for popping the question to your bridesmaids. These boxes are especially popular for brides with friends and family located in different cities or countries, as the boxes can be easily shipped. These bridesmaid proposal boxes bring coordinated gifts, themed accessories and unique treats to each bridesmaid’s doorstep.
You can buy completed bridesmaid proposal boxes online with direct shipping to your potential bridesmaids if you’d prefer. Many bridesmaid boxes can be personalized or totally customized, all depending on what you’re looking for.
What to Put in a Bridesmaid Proposal Box
These gift boxes are a fun way to propose to your bridesmaids, showing your wedding party how much you appreciate them. Some of the most popular items for bridesmaid proposal boxes include:
- Tumblers or wine glasses
- Robes
- Sunglasses
- Candles
- Jewelry boxes
- Stuffed animals
- Flowers
- Luxury soaps
- Fine jewelry
- Chocolates & candy
- Hair accessories
- Mugs
- Pens
- Makeup cases
- Nail polish
Often, these gift boxes also include cards or special printing on the boxes themselves to ask the recipient if they’ll be your bridesmaid. Many will you be my bridesmaid boxes also have custom wording like puns, colorful designs and special items that can be themed to your wedding.
Bridesmaid Proposal Cards
Unique bridesmaid proposal cards are another option for asking your wedding party if they’d like to be part of your special day. These are custom cards, much like wedding invitations, that can be personalized for your bridesmaids. These cards can be mailed on their own or added to other bridesmaid proposal methods.
Popular card designs include embossed cards, cards with poems, designs with customized illustrations, and bridesmaid proposal cards with group photos. Many invitation companies offer unique designs for these meaningful cards.
What to Write on a Bridesmaid Proposal Card
Image Source: Aaron Burden
The most important thing to write on your bridesmaid proposal card is the question asking the recipient if they’ll be your bridesmaid. The rest of the card’s contents can be personalized to your bridesmaids. These cards often include additional sentiments like poems, stories about your connection to the recipient and your excitement to have them share in your wedding celebrations.
Bridesmaid Proposal Gifts
When in doubt, classic gifts are always a good addition to your bridesmaid proposal. These are presents that can accompany cards or proposal boxes, all depending on what you’d like to give. Though you’re not required to give a gift to your bridesmaids, giving a gift with your bridesmaid proposal can be a kind gesture.
Popular Gifts for Bridesmaid Proposals
Some of the most popular bridesmaid proposal gifts include gold jewelry, silver jewelry, flowers, candy, and at-home spa items. Jewelry is an especially meaningful bridesmaid proposal gift due to its symbolism, longevity and style. You can choose matching jewelry for all your bridesmaids to wear on your wedding day or you can pick personalized pieces for each bridesmaid.
Love knot jewelry such as love knot necklaces carry symbolism of your connection to your bridesmaids, making it a perfect gift. Other popular styles of bridesmaid jewelry gifts include birthstone jewelry representing your wedding month or the birthdays of your bridesmaids.
Creative Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas
Looking to take a different approach to asking your bridesmaids if they’ll be a part of your celebrations? Consider some creative ideas like sending your potential bridesmaids on a scavenger hunt that culminates in the pivotal question, putting your question in a fortune cookie, gifting them a bottle of wine with a custom label themed to your inquiry, or even writing them a song about being a bridesmaid.
Classic Bridesmaid Proposal Ideas
While extravagant bridesmaid proposal ideas abound on social media, they are not the only way to ask your friends, family and loved ones to be your bridesmaids. You can also take a more classic approach or even combine these classic approaches with the more modern versions. Classic bridesmaid proposal ideas include:
- Asking with a handwritten, heartfelt letter
- Asking your potential bridesmaids over dinner individually or as a group
- Calling your potential bridesmaids to ask them
- Baking them cookies or other desserts to sweeten your ask
- Sending them flowers with a note asking your bridesmaid question
Bridesmaid Proposals Should be Personal and Meaningful
Ultimately, it’s the thought that counts above all else. You should ask your potential bridesmaids to share in your special moment in whichever way is most meaningful. It’s best to choose a bridesmaid proposal idea that shows your bridesmaids how honored you are to have them as part of your wedding party. Many people choose to show this appreciation through gifts or thoughtful notes.
Top Questions and Answers About Bridesmaid Proposals
Curious about the ins and outs of bridesmaid proposals? Our FAQs outline the basics of this wedding tradition.
How soon should you propose to bridesmaids?
You’ll want to give your bridesmaids adequate time to prepare for the responsibilities of their role. In general, it’s best to propose to your bridesmaids within 8 to 12 months of your wedding date.
Do you ask your maid of honor first?
Etiquette suggests that it’s best to ask your matron or maid of honor if they’re able to be part of your wedding separately from your other bridesmaids. This can help reduce any potential hurt feelings for other bridesmaids who may have wanted this role. Many people propose to their maid or matron of honor before they propose to the rest of their bridesmaids.
When should you send a bridesmaid proposal box?
Bridesmaid proposal boxes should traditionally be sent anywhere from 8-12 months before your wedding.
How do you ask friends to be bridesmaids?
You can ask your friends and family to be part of your bridal party in a variety of ways. Bridesmaid proposals range from simple asks to ornate gatherings or gift boxes. The best proposal is one that helps show your bridesmaids how honored you are to have them as part of your big day.
When shouldn’t you propose to bridesmaids?
You should try to keep your bridesmaid proposals to 8-12 months before your wedding. Asking before or after that date range may not be respectful to the schedules of your bridesmaids.
Do you have to do an elaborate bridesmaid proposal?
Though more elaborate bridesmaid proposals are often appreciated by their recipients, these newer traditions aren’t necessarily required to have bridesmaids. The most crucial thing is to ask your potential bridesmaids if they can perform the role and show them how appreciated they are.
What is the point of bridesmaid proposals?
Bridesmaid proposals are a wedding tradition that shows your bridesmaids how excited you are to have them as a part of your celebrations. These proposals can help show your gratitude while also sharing the excitement of your wedding.
How can the maid of honor proposal unique?
The matron or maid of honor has the most responsibilities of all the bridesmaids, and many brides choose to give this special role extra recognition. You can make your maid of honor proposal unique by giving them an extra gift that’s special to your relationship with them, a handwritten note of your gratitude or even by taking them to dinner one-on-one to show your appreciation.
What is the difference between bridesmaid proposals and bridesmaid gifts?
Bridesmaid gifts are presents given to the bridal party as a gesture of gratitude. They can be anything from pearl jewelry to handcrafted mugs, all depending on your bridesmaids and wedding.
A bridesmaid proposal differs from bridesmaid gifts in purpose and practice. A bridesmaid proposal is the action you take when you ask your friends or family to be your bridesmaids. The proposal is the question itself, but it has evolved to often include gifts and gestures that show your bridesmaids how excited you are to have them in your wedding party. Bridesmaid proposals often include bridesmaid gifts.
Finding the Perfect Bridesmaid Gifts for Proposals
Image Source: Guy Basabose
Whether you’re planning an elaborate bridesmaid proposal or a low-key ask, we have the perfect wedding party gifts for your bridesmaids. Choose from symbolic jewelry with gemstones, classic earrings, shining bracelets, and stylish necklaces. Our jewelry is crafted to last, making it easy to propose to your bridesmaids with gifts they’ll wear time and time again.
