Believe it or not, there’s more than one important proposal in the lead up to a wedding: choosing your bridal party and ‘proposing’ to your bridesmaids can be as exciting as planning the wedding itself. You may not get down on one knee to ask ‘will you be my bridesmaid,’ but you can certainly make this proposal meaningful and fun.
A bridesmaid proposal can be adapted to fit any taste, budget, or set of circumstances (including social distancing), and can be a wonderful memory to share with your friends. Ready for some unique bridesmaid proposal ideas? Don’t mind if we say ‘I do…’
1. Put Pen to Paper
In the age of instant messaging, receiving some ink-on-paper post can be really special and heartwarming. Give your bridesmaid-to-be something worth opening before her morning coffee with this traditional approach.
2. Make It Funny
You’ve probably shared many jokes with your besties over the years, so why not remind them of all the laughs you’ve had with a funny bridesmaid proposal card?
3. Host a Games Night
If games night is a staple activity for your group of friends, surprising your bridesmaids with a proposal puzzle will surely be a crowd pleaser. Alternatively, you can have a puzzle delivered to each bridesmaid individually, and wait for those ‘yes, of course!’ text messages to come through as they put the pieces together.
4. Bring Them a Coffee
All close friends know the simple pleasure of catching up over a cup of coffee. With a personalized bridesmaid mug, you can offer your friend a caffeine fix with one sugar and one very important question! You can do this virtually by arranging an online coffee date and having her mug delivered as a special surprise.
5. Plan an Adventure
While destination weddings and bachelorette parties have been postponed to a pandemic-free future, you can still dream of travel and reminisce on previous trips you’ve shared with your friends. A bridesmaid luggage tag says ‘join me on my big adventure’ — and who could say ‘no’ to that?
6. Frame Your Favorite Memories
For a simple but sentimental proposal, have a picture of you and your friend placed in a ‘will you be my bridesmaid’ frame. This idea is thoughtful and celebrates the memories you have together, new and old.
7. Cake Pop the Question
Let your bridesmaids have their proposal and eat it too with personalized cake pops! These work well for a small gathering of bridesmaids or an individual proposal, and they’re delicious.
8. Ask Her Sweetly
On another delicious note, here’s a second sweet proposal idea: candy! Fill a personalized candy tin with some of your friend’s favorite treats, and let the sugar convince her to say ‘yes.’
9. Stick Together
A magnet is a long-lasting proposal gift that won’t break the bank. With a prime spot on the fridge, it can also become a daily reminder of how much you mean to each other.
10. Note Your Request
Bridesmaids provide all kinds of support in the run up to the wedding, from sharing opinions on floral arrangements to organizing the bridal shower. A proposal notebook is a cute and practical way to say ‘you’re the best — help me, please?’
11. Propose with Balloons
Balloons are a super fun and festive way to make a bridesmaid proposal. Whether you fill a whole room with balloons, or just arrive on her doorstep with one, your future bridesmaid will be floating on air!
12. Throw a Cocktail Party
Your bridesmaids will soon be busy helping you plan and prepare for your big day, so why not throw a party just for them first? You can have their names engraved on cocktail glasses, put your proposal on a shot glass, or gift each of them a special ‘bridesmaid’ bottle opener. This can also be done over Zoom to facilitate social distancing.
13. Woo Them with Wine
If you know your friend’s favorite wine, this proposal is a winner. To add an element of surprise, ask her to pour you both a glass of wine casually, and watch her reaction when she reads the label!
14. Act Casual
Speaking of casual surprises, what’s cooler than offering your bestie a nice cold beer? Pop a proposal can cooler on her beverage and she’ll be totally caught off guard!
NEW! Seltzer can coolers for any skinny / slim canned beverages.
15. Use Your Charm
To create a lasting memory, give your bride tribe a set of matching charm bracelets. This group gift will create a sense of shared experience and make your bridesmaids feel appreciated.
16. Honor Your Maid of Honor
Make your Maid of Honor’s proposal significant with specially chosen jewelry. A personalized necklace or bracelet is something she can cherish forever, and keep as a symbol of your friendship. Just try not to get emotional at this proposal!
17. Get Your Bridesmaids Uniforms
Nothing says ‘bride tribe’ like matching hats and t-shirts. To make the most of this proposal, gather your group together (in person or virtually) and have them unwrap a package filled with bridesmaid swag. Your friends will immediately know what you’re proposing and they’ll be ready to dress the part.
18. Start Off on the Right Foot
Take your bridesmaid uniform to the next level with a pair of ‘will you be my bridesmaid?’ socks. This attention to detail will definitely impress your crew!
19. Decorate Them with Love
If your bridesmaid proposal falls around the holiday season, give your friend a proposal ornament so she can look back on this special time for years to come!
20. Give Them ALL the Gifts
Can’t choose between all these great bridesmaid proposal gifts? Put together a box or bag with a whole bunch of bridesmaid goodies! You can wrap everything up in a ‘be my bridesmaid’ box or bag, or add a bridesmaid proposal gift tag to any item of your choice.
Are you excited to propose to your bridesmaids? We’d love to hear your plans in the comments below!
Remember that any of the bridesmaid proposal ideas above can also be adapted to suit other members of your bridal party. For more gift ideas, check out our Top 10 Gifts for Your Bridesmaids. Good luck with your proposals!
Neasa, a self-confessed travel and podcast addict, is a Content Specialist with our Zazzle team in Cork, Ireland. When she’s not reading, writing, or practicing her French, you’ll find her drinking far too much coffee and babbling about pop culture to anyone who’ll listen.
