Inquire Your Girls: Creative Ways To Ask Friends To Be Bridesmaids

Asking your friends to be your bridesmaids is a big deal. These are the women who will be helping you plan, celebrate, and say I do, so it's only natural that you'd want your best friends standing by you on your big day. There are many ways to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids, from combining the engagement news with a bridesmaid proposal over brunch to sending them a beautiful card. You can also make it more creative and personalised by gifting them a piece of jewellery, a bridesmaid kit, or a friendship bracelet.

Pop the question over brunch

If you're looking for a fun and memorable way to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids, why not combine the engagement news and bridesmaid proposal over brunch? Here are some ideas to make it a special and exciting event:

Choose a special location

Select a restaurant or café that is meaningful to you and your friends. It could be your favourite brunch spot, or a place with a charming atmosphere and delicious food. If the weather is nice, consider a scenic outdoor location for an extra special touch.

Send out invitations

Design and send out creative invitations to your friends, letting them know about the brunch. You can make the invitations yourself or use online templates to add a personal touch. Include a hint about the purpose of the brunch to build excitement and intrigue.

Prepare a thoughtful menu

Work with the restaurant or caterer to create a menu that reflects your friendship and celebrates the occasion. Include your friends' favourite dishes, or foods that hold a special significance for your group. If you're feeling creative, you can even name the dishes after inside jokes or shared experiences.

Set the mood with decorations

Decorate the table with flowers, balloons, or other festive decorations in your wedding colours. You can also place personalized place cards at each setting, with a thoughtful message or a fun bridesmaid-themed quote. Add some fun props, like bridal-themed paper goods, confetti, or mini champagne bottles for an extra touch of celebration.

Pop the question!

When there's a lull in the conversation, it's time to pop the question! You can ask each friend individually or propose to the group all at once. Share how much their friendship means to you and how honoured you would be to have them by your side on your wedding day. Don't forget to ask if they can keep the secret of your engagement until you're ready to make the public announcement!

Celebrate with a toast

After your friends say "yes" to being your bridesmaids, celebrate with a toast! Pop open a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider and raise a glass to your upcoming nuptials. This is a moment to savour and cherish, so take the time to enjoy it with your closest friends.

Send a gift box

Sending a gift box is a great way to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids. You can either choose a pre-made box or build your own with a few special items. Here are some ideas for what to include:

The Box

First, you'll need something to put all your gifts in. You can go for a simple cardboard box, or choose something your friend can reuse, like a cute tote bag, a cosmetic bag, or a travel jewellery case. If you're building your own box from scratch, you might want to include some decorative filler, like tissue paper or confetti.

Something to Wear

Clothing and accessories are a fun addition to your bridesmaid proposal box. You could include a t-shirt with a witty phrase like "Bride's Babe" or "Not Without My Crew". If you're planning a destination wedding, you could pop the question with a custom travel jewellery case, or even a pair of sunglasses. For something more traditional, you might want to include a robe or pyjamas that your bridesmaids can wear while getting ready on the big day.

Something to Sip

Mini bottles of bubbly are a classic addition to a bridesmaid proposal box. You could also include a champagne flute or wine tumbler, perhaps with a custom label or your friend's name printed on it. If your friend prefers non-alcoholic drinks, you could include a box of their favourite tea or coffee.

Something Sweet

Indulge your friend's sweet tooth with some treats like champagne-flavoured gummy bears, macarons, or a box of chocolates. If you're a keen baker, you could even make something yourself!

Something Sentimental

Add a heartfelt card to your box, explaining how much your friend means to you and how grateful you would be if they accepted. You could also include a framed photo of the two of you, or a monogrammed keychain.

Something Relaxing

If your friend loves a bit of self-care, include some bath bombs, scented candles, or a face mask. You could even add a nail polish in your wedding colour, so your friend can wear it on the big day.

Remember, you don't need to spend a fortune on a bridesmaid proposal gift. The most important thing is to include a thoughtful message that recognises the significance of your relationship and thanks your friend for being such an important person in your life.

Make a special toast

Making a special toast is a great way to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids. Here are some tips on how to make it memorable:

Plan your speech

Before you ask your friends to be your bridesmaids, take some time to brainstorm and plan your speech. Think about the memories, emotions, and qualities that make your friends so special to you. Start with a brief introduction of yourself and your relationship with the bride, and then share some anecdotes or stories that highlight your connection. You can also include some funny or heartfelt quotes about friendship, marriage, or sisters to add a special touch to your speech.

Make it personal and heartfelt

The key to making your toast meaningful is to reflect on your unique relationship with your friends. Share specific anecdotes or stories that showcase your bond. For example, you can talk about how your friends have been there for you during difficult times or how they bring out the best in you. Be genuine and sincere in your speech, and don't be afraid to show your emotions.

Include a call to action

Instead of simply ending your speech with well-wishes, you can engage your friends and the audience by including a call to action. For example, you can encourage everyone to meet someone new or share a story about how they know the couple. This will create a more interactive and engaging atmosphere.

Keep it concise and engaging

Aim to keep your speech concise, ideally between two to five minutes. This will help you maintain your friends' and the audience's attention. To make your speech more engaging, use entertaining and engaging stories to showcase the bride's personality. You can also include some light-hearted jokes or anecdotes to capture the audience's interest.

Practice and rehearse

Don't underestimate the power of practice! Rehearse your speech multiple times, record yourself, and seek feedback from friends. This will help you refine your delivery, pacing, and tone. Remember to speak clearly and slowly, and don't be afraid to pause for effect. Practicing will also help you feel more comfortable and confident when delivering your speech.

Ask the question

Finally, after you've delivered your heartfelt speech, it's time to pop the question! Ask your friends to be your bridesmaids and give them a chance to respond. This can be a memorable and emotional moment for all of you, so savor it and enjoy the joy of having your closest friends by your side on your special day.

Send a card

Sending a card is a simple yet thoughtful way to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids. You can find plenty of funny bridesmaid cards in most greeting card shops, or you could make your own. If you're feeling crafty, design a custom card that speaks to each bridesmaid's personality. You could also pair the card with a gift; wedding planner and designer Renée Sabo recommends small makeup bags, cosy shirts, or champagne and wine flutes.

If you want to add a more personal touch, write a heartfelt message inside the card. Recognise the significance of your relationship and thank your bridesmaid-to-be for being such an integral person in your life. Most importantly, end the note by popping the question: "Will you be my bridesmaid?".

If your future bridesmaids are coffee lovers, you could even ask them over for a cup of coffee and present them with a special mug. When they finish their drink, they'll see the question at the bottom of the mug. Alternatively, ask the barista to write the question on the cup instead of your friend's name. Just make sure they read it before they drain their java!

If you're not able to ask your friends in person, sending a card is a great alternative. It's a more formal approach than a text or email, and it shows your friends that you value their presence at your wedding.

Invite them to a movie night

Asking your friends to be your bridesmaids is a big deal. These women will be your support system as you plan your wedding and celebrate your big day. It's only natural that you'd want your best friends standing by your side on your wedding day. While asking your friends to be bridesmaids shouldn't be stressful, it can feel like you're proposing all over again! Here's a fun and creative way to pop the question to your bridesmaids-to-be:

Ask your girls over for a movie night and put together a marathon of wedding-themed movies like "27 Dresses" and "Bridesmaids". This sets the tone and hints at what you're about to ask them. Here are some ideas to make the night extra special:

• Send out invitations: Design cute invitations for your friends, letting them know about the movie night. You can even include a line like "Get ready for a night of wedding fun!" to give them a subtle hint.
• Decorate the space: Set up a cozy spot in your home with comfy cushions, blankets, and snacks. You can use wedding-themed decorations like ring-shaped balloons, bridal-themed banners, and string lights to create a fun and festive atmosphere.
• Movie-themed treats: Prepare some themed treats to go with the movies. For example, you can make custom cookies in the shape of wedding dresses or rings, or even popcorn bags with personalized labels that say "Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• Play bridal-themed games: Before the movies start, engage your friends in some bridal-themed games or activities. This could be a fun ice-breaker and a way to get everyone excited. For example, you could have a bridal-themed scavenger hunt or a "How well do you know the bride?" quiz.
• Pop the question: During the movie night, find a moment to pause the fun and pop the question. You can do this individually or as a group. Express how much their friendship means to you and how honoured you would be to have them by your side on your wedding day. You can even prepare a short speech or a letter to make it more memorable.
• Celebrate together: After you've popped the question, celebrate with your bridesmaids-to-be! Enjoy the movie night and perhaps even plan a sleepover to continue the fun. This will be a night to remember for all of you.

Remember, the most important thing is to make your friends feel special and loved. You can add your personal touches to the movie night to make it unique and memorable. Enjoy this special time with your bridesmaids-to-be!

Frequently asked questions