Thoughtful Words: Bridesmaids Cards

Asking your closest friends to be your bridesmaids is a perfect opportunity to show them how much they mean to you. Bridesmaid proposal cards are a great way to pop the question to your crew with cute stationery. Whether a standalone gesture or the finishing touch to a bridesmaid proposal box, a Will you be my bridesmaid? card sets the tone for your wedding party and gets them excited for all that's in store. These cards can be funny, sentimental, or custom, and they'll be a fun surprise in the mail or the finishing touch to the perfect proposal gift.

Humour

Injecting humour into your bridesmaid proposal cards is a great way to celebrate your friends and get them excited for your wedding. Here are some ideas for fun and playful messages to include:

• "Now act surprised like you had no idea this was coming. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I know of a great party with an open bar. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I promise, no ruffles or puffy sleeves—will you be my bridesmaid, please?"
• "White dress, lace, and pearls, but I can't do it without my girls. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "Pop the bubbly, she's getting a hubby! Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "He's marrying me, but he's stuck with us. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I've got my mister, but I can't do this without my sister. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I've got the guy, but I can't do this without my girls. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I promise the dresses won't be too hideous. What do you say—be my bridesmaid?"
• "I can't promise I won't be a bridezilla, but I can promise free booze and bad dancing. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I can't imagine doing this without you. (And champagne... lots of champagne.) Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "There's no one I'd rather have holding my dress while I pee. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "Let's face it: no one would plan a better bachelorette party than you. Will you be my bridesmaid?"
• "I kind of can't stand everybody but us. What do you say—be my bridesmaid?"
• "Who's ready for day drinking in pretty dresses!? Will you be my bridesmaid?"

Sentimentality

When asking your friends to be your bridesmaids, you are validating the bond between you and including them in one of the biggest days of your life. It is a meaningful question on many levels, so the way you ask each of your bridesmaids should be as special and unique as each woman is to you. Take the time to pen a moving message to each of them, or, if that's not your style, keep it light with an inside joke or a shared memory.

• "I can't say 'I do' without you."
• "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."
• "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!"
• "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?"
• "I have my mister but I can't do it without my sister."
• "You are the sister I got to choose."
• "I can't say 'I do' without you by my side."
• "I need something old, something new, something borrowed, and most importantly... you!"
• "I got my rock now I need my flock."
• "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."
• "You all are the 'she' to my 'nanigans.'"
• "Not sisters by blood, but sisters by heart."
• "A sister shares childhood memories and grown-up dreams."
• "A sister can be seen as someone who is both ourselves and very much not ourselves — a special kind of double."
• "Good friends are hard to find and impossible to forget."
• "You can kid the world, but not your sister."
• "It's not what we have in our life, but who we have in our life that counts."
• "Bridesmaid for a day, but best friend for life."
• "True love is finding your soulmate in your best friend."
• "Unlike Barbies, me and my girls aren't sold separately."
• "Find your tribe. Love them hard."
• "A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked."
• "True friends are like diamonds – bright, beautiful, valuable and always in style."
• "A happy bridesmaid makes a happy bride."

Practicality

First and foremost, timing is crucial. Ideally, you should send out your bridesmaids cards as soon as possible after getting engaged. This gives your bridal party ample time to plan and prepare, especially if they need to arrange travel or take time off work. It's also a good idea to send out the cards all at once, or within the same week, to avoid any hurt feelings.

When it comes to the content of the card, it's essential to strike a balance between creativity and sincerity. While a fun and playful tone is great, don't forget the deeper meaning behind the question you're asking. Include a personalised message that speaks to your unique bond and expresses your gratitude for their support. You can also add a snapshot from your old school days for an extra special touch.

In terms of gifts, it's best to avoid anything too extravagant that might put your bridesmaids under financial strain. Instead, opt for sincere tokens of appreciation that they can use beyond the wedding day. Personalised items with their names or initials are always a nice touch. If you want to include practical items, think along the lines of a mini "emergency" kit with pain relievers, stain removers, hair ties, and other essentials.

Lastly, while it's tempting to share every detail of your wedding planning journey on social media, it's best to keep the heartfelt messages in your bridesmaids cards private. These moments are sacred, and your friends will appreciate the intimacy of a message that's just for them.

Creativity

Creative Card Designs:

• Custom Photo Cards: Personalize your cards with a nostalgic picture of you and your bridesmaid-to-be, perhaps in a Polaroid-style frame or with a custom illustration of you both.
• Whimsical Designs: Opt for pretty florals, rose gold foil, or elegant calligraphy to add a touch of elegance and whimsy to your cards.
• Humorous Cards: Inject some humor with cards that feature tongue-in-cheek phrases or references to popular movies or TV shows like "Friends" or "Sex and the City."
• Scratch-Off Cards: Make it interactive with scratch-off cards that reveal a hidden message or a cute illustration.
• Postcard-Style: For long-distance bridesmaids or a destination wedding, consider cards designed as postcards, allowing you to add a heartfelt message and photos.

Creative Card Messages:

In addition to the card design, get creative with your message inside. Here are some unique and playful ways to pop the question:

• "It's my turn to pop the question."
• "Help me keep my sht 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."
• "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."

Creative Presentation Ideas:

• Confetti Balloon: Put a safety pin inside a confetti-filled balloon, along with a note that says, "Pop me!" for an interactive and festive proposal.
• Dinner Party: If your bridesmaids-to-be live nearby, invite them over for a pizza night or dinner party. Raise a toast and pop the question with personalized champagne glasses and bubbly.
• Coffee Date: Set up a coffee date and ask the barista to write "Will you be my bridesmaid?" on the cup instead of their name.
• Custom Puzzle: Create a custom puzzle with a photo of you and your friend, with text like, "Be my bridesmaid?" for them to piece together.
• Bouquet Delivery: Have a bouquet of flowers delivered to each bridesmaid-to-be, along with a card.

Remember, the key is to make your bridesmaid proposals unique and personalized, reflecting the special bond you share with each of your bridesmaids-to-be.

Individuality

When asking your friends to be your bridesmaids, it's important to keep in mind that you're asking them a meaningful question on many levels. You're validating your bond with them by including them in one of the biggest days of your life. You're also asking them to dedicate their time and money to support and celebrate you.

With that said, the way you ask each of your bridesmaids to be in your wedding should be as special and unique as each woman is to you. Take the time to pen a moving message to each of them, or, if that's not your style, keep it light with an inside joke or something only the two of you understand.

"You're not just a friend, you're my chosen family. I would be so grateful if you would be my bridesmaid and help me create lifelong memories."

"I can't say 'I do' without you by my side. You're the sister I got to choose, and I can't imagine my big day without you there to celebrate with me."

"I need something old, something new, something borrowed, and most importantly... you! As I prepare for my wedding day, it would mean the world to me to have your support as my bridesmaid."

"My wedding day wouldn't be complete without you standing beside me. You're the Monica to my Rachel, the sister I never had, and my partner in crime. Will you be my bridesmaid?"

"Life was meant for good friends and great adventures. As I embark on this new chapter, I want you by my side. Will you be my bridesmaid and help me navigate this journey?"

Frequently asked questions