How To Pop The Question To Your Bridesmaids

Asking your friends to be your bridesmaids is a special moment that you and your nearest and dearest will treasure forever. But if you're struggling with what to say when popping the question, there are plenty of creative ways to do so. From heartfelt messages to fun tongue-in-cheek phrasing, here are some ideas to consider for your proposal.

Creative ways to ask

There are many creative ways to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids. Here are some ideas:

• Write a heartfelt message in a stylish "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" card and include a favourite photo of the two of you.
• Blow up a confetti-filled balloon and put a safety pin inside with a note that they can use to "pop!" the question.
• Invite your bridesmaids-to-be over for a pizza night or a dinner party, then raise a toast and pop the question with personalised champagne glasses and bottles of bubbly.
• Set up a one-on-one coffee date and ask the barista 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 personalised with their name or a bridesmaid robe 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 friends to mani-pedis at the nail salon and gift them with a bottle of nail polish in a shade you'd like them to wear on your wedding day.
• Create a custom puzzle with a photo of you and your friend and a message asking them to be your bridesmaid.
• Send them bouquets of flowers with a card popping the question.

What to Include in a Bridesmaid Proposal Box:

• Mini bottles of champagne
• Customised wine glasses or tumblers
• "Bridesmaid" t-shirts or sweatshirts
• Nail polish or press-on nail kits
• Sheet masks and under-eye patches
• Monogrammed slippers
• Matching or personalised claw clips
• Dried floral arrangements
• Sweet treats, like champagne gummies or truffles
• Personalised tin mugs
• Zodiac-themed candles
• Sparkly initial necklaces
• Heart-shaped trinket boxes
• Team Bride" socks
• Customised tote bags

Gifts to give

There are many thoughtful gifts you can give to your bridesmaids when you propose. Here are some ideas:

• A bouquet of flowers
• A card with a heartfelt message
• A mini bottle of champagne
• A sweet treat
• A personalised wine glass
• A candle
• A personalised makeup bag
• A piece of jewellery
• A silk sleep mask
• A silk robe
• A plant
• A photo frame
• A passport holder
• A puzzle
• A tote bag
• A denim jacket
• A pair of earrings
• A silk scrunchie
• A clutch bag
• A pair of slippers
• A pair of pyjamas
• A cookie
• A chocolate bar
• A bath bomb
• A scented candle
• A coffee mug
• A sticker

What to write in the card

When writing a card to your bridesmaids, it's important to be sweet, sincere, and sentimental. Here are some ideas for what to write:

Greeting and Introduction

Start with a greeting and a nod to the meaning behind the card. Your bridesmaids probably have an idea that they will be included in your big day, but you can begin with a hint of what's to come. For example, "I can't believe I'm writing you this card!" or "I know that we haven't been friends for very much time, but I feel like I've known you forever."

A Sentimental Journey

Take a trip down memory lane and recall some hallmark moments from your friendship. You can talk about how much their friendship means to you and why you want them to be a part of your wedding. For instance, "You've been my good friend for so many years, and I can't imagine getting married without you by my side."

Pop the Question

Be straightforward and ask, "Will you be my bridesmaid?" You can add some fluff to your question, such as "I can't say 'I do' without you." You can also add some humour, such as "Now act surprised like you had no idea this was coming."

A Look into the Future

Give them a glimpse of the exciting journey ahead, from the wedding shower and bachelorette party to the destination wedding where they'll stand by your side. You can write something like, "There's just no way I can walk down that aisle without you. Will you be my bridesmaid? Please say yes because we have SO much fun stuff to start planning."

• "Help me keep my sht together."
• "I'll only be a happy bride if my best friend is by my side."
• "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?"
• "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."

Proposal box ideas

There are many ways to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids, and creating a proposal box is one of the most popular ways to do so. Here are some ideas for what to include in your bridesmaid proposal boxes:

The Classic

• A handwritten card: Write a personalised note to each of your bridesmaids, expressing your excitement to have them by your side on your special day.
• Mini champagne bottles: Add a bottle of bubbly to celebrate the occasion. You can even include some glittery mimosa cubes for your bridesmaids to create instant mimosas.
• Customised wine glasses or tumblers: Include some drinkware with your bridesmaids' names or wedding titles.
• "Bridesmaid" T-shirts or sweatshirts: Get your bridesmaids some comfy clothing to wear while preparing for the wedding or during the bachelorette party.

The Pamper Package

• Nail polish or press-on nail kits: Gift your bridesmaids some pretty polishes or press-on nails so they can have perfect manicures without a salon visit.
• Sheet masks and under-eye patches: Include some skincare treats to help your bridesmaids relax and unwind.
• Monogrammed slippers: Add a pair of cosy slippers, perhaps with your bridesmaids' initials, for them to lounge in.
• Silk scrunchies or hair ties: These can be a cute and functional addition to your proposal boxes.
• Scented candles: Candles can be a great way to set the mood for relaxation. Look for ones with fun labels that say "bridesmaid" or define the role of a bridesmaid.
• Bath bombs: Include some aromatic bath bombs for your bridesmaids to enjoy a soothing soak.

The Destination Wedding

• Personalised passport covers or luggage tags: If you're having a destination wedding, these can be useful gifts for your bridesmaids.
• Travel-size toiletries: Include some travel-sized essentials for your bridesmaids to use on their trip.
• Mini travel journals: Your bridesmaids can use these to jot down memories from the wedding festivities.
• Airplane cocktail kits: Help your bridesmaids relax during the flight with these fun kits.
• Heart-shaped or customised "bridesmaid" sunglasses: These can be a cute and functional gift, especially for a destination wedding in a sunny location.

Remember, you can personalise your proposal boxes according to your bridesmaids' interests and hobbies. You can also include a mix-and-match of items from the different themes to create unique and thoughtful gifts for your bridesmaids.

In-person proposals

Coffee or Tea Dates

Arrange individual coffee or tea dates with each of your friends. Ask the barista to write "Will you be my bridesmaid?" on their cup instead of their name, or bring a personalised mug with the question written on it. Just make sure they read it before their drink is empty!

Dinner Surprise

Tell your friends that you want to celebrate your engagement with them over dinner. Coordinate with the restaurant to include a card with the question in each menu or, even better, arrange for a server to deliver small boxes or envelopes with your note as they pour each guest a glass of wine.

Balloon Surprise

Give each friend a small box with an inflated balloon and a safety pin inside. When they pop the balloon, they will find a message saying, "Now it's time for me to pop the question!" You can even add confetti or glitter to the balloon for an extra festive touch.

Custom Cards

If you're artistically inclined, design custom cards for each bridesmaid-to-be that reflect their personalities. Pair the cards with small gifts like makeup bags, cosy shirts, champagne flutes, or wine glasses.

Flower Power

Propose to your friends over a floral workshop. Stock each station with their favourite flowers and attach a note asking them to be in your wedding party. Bring along some bubbles to make it even more festive!

Mani-Pedi Dates

Treat your friends to a mani-pedi and present them with a wedding-focused nail polish colour. Explain that they'll need to wear it during the celebration as your bridesmaids.

Fortune Cookies

Invite your friends over for takeout Chinese food and a movie night. Order custom fortune cookies with "Will you be my bridesmaid?" messages inside, and serve them at the end of the meal as a sweet surprise.

Themed Movie Night

Host a movie night featuring wedding-themed films like "27 Dresses", "Bridesmaids", or "My Best Friend's Wedding". As the credits roll, pop the question by referencing a character or scene from the movie. For example, after watching "27 Dresses", you could say, "Will you be my Katherine Heigl?"

Dance Class

Get your friends together for a salsa lesson and propose midway through the class. Let them know that it will be good practice for all the dancing they'll do as your bridesmaids at the wedding!

Remember, when proposing in person, it's important to deliver a heartfelt message about your friendship and why you want them by your side on your special day. You can also include gifts or treats to make the moment even more memorable.

Frequently asked questions