10 fun bridesmaid proposal ideas

Are you getting ready to pop the question? If you’re already engaged then the next proposal is, of course, for your fabulous bridesmaids! And there are so many ways to make your friends feel special, from a simple card to a surprise gift. So, read on for some brilliant bridesmaid proposal ideas, as well as top tips on how, when and who to ask…

Why propose?

Proposing to your maids is a lovely way to show them how much they mean to you. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate, but it lets them know they have a special place in your heart. Plus, if you’re not even sure you want bridesmaids, remember getting ready with your nearest and dearest can be one of the highlights of the big day.

Real bride Clara had a ball with her friends. “We were all staying onsite at the venue, and I shared a bedroom with my four bridesmaids,” she says. “The venue has a gorgeous room for the bridal party to get ready in and we spent all morning there getting pampered, drinking fizz, and having a great time.”

“I got ready with my best friend, sister, cousin and mine and Connor’s first house mate,” says Shannon. “The most memorable moments of the day were getting ready with my girls and spending the entire day with my husband.”

Lucie agrees. “I got ready at home with my bridal party,” she says Lucie. “We all had a laugh and worked our way through a pastry breakfast with some Prosecco and nibbles and party tunes on in the background. One of the most memorable moments of the day was putting my dress and all my accessories on, all together for the first time, with them."

Who should I ask?

The best bridesmaids are ones you can rely on to help with some big planning tasks, including your hen do, and to be there when you need them on the big day. Ideally they’ll also be good at providing emotional support, reliable, aware of your likes/dislikes and, of course, fun! If you’re in the tricky situation of explaining to anyone why they can’t be your bridesmaid, be honest about your budget, reiterate how much you value them and invite them to be involved in other ways. For more advice, read our blog on How to Choose the Perfect Bride Tribe, too.

Krisje’s best friend was invaluable for her DIY wedding. “The day before the wedding, my friend Valérie helped me decorate the whole setting,” says Krisje. “Then, on the day itself, she helped me get ready, along with my hairdresser and makeup artist. Her help meant I didn't opt for a wedding planner and I got everything arranged in a year.”

And when?

There’s no rush to ask, so make sure you’ve carefully considered who you want before you do. Around eight months to a year months before the wedding is ideal. That leaves plenty of time to plan the hen do, as well as eight weeks for your bridesmaids' dresses to be made to order. 

How do I ask them?

Right, now all the difficult decisions are out of the way, here’s the fun part! There are so many lovely ways to ask your maids, you’ll be spoilt for choice. However, here are our 10 favourite bridesmaid proposal ideas to inspire you…

1. Give a gift that spells it out

Why not surprise them with a pretty bridesmaid pyjamas and a cute pin and then let them work it out? Or one of our stylish Bride Tribe T-shirts that they can then wear on the hen do or the morning of the wedding?

2. Create a goodie bag

Our Bride Tribe tote bag makes the perfect goodie bag. Include a notebook and pen (for planning), chocolates, mini champagne, some jewellery they can wear on the day and a heartfelt note explaining why you’d love them to be by your side at the wedding.

3. Treat them to a special afternoon tea

Invite all your potential maids round for an afternoon of tea and cake. When everyone has arrived, bring out biscuits or cupcakes iced with the message ‘Will you be my bridesmaids?'. If you’re skilled with icing make your own. If not, order them in! Check out our cake suppliers' page here.

4. Tell their fortune over a takeaway

Another fun but relatively inexpensive way to surprise your friends is with a personalised fortune cookie. Order a batch with your own special message inside, then plan a Chinese takeaway and movie night. Later, watch their faces when they open their fortune cookies to reveal the message, ‘Will you be my bridesmaid?’. 

5. Say it with flowers

If you can’t see everyone in person, sending flowers is a great idea. Plus, who doesn’t love getting flowers delivered? Order a beautiful bouquet and send it to their home, along with your proposal message.

6. Have a pamper day

Plan a pamper day at a spa or at home. Drink champagne, do each other’s nails and when the moment is right, pop the question!

7. Frame a perfect picture

A beautiful framed photograph always makes a great gift and won’t cost the earth. Choose one that sums up a special moment in your friendship, then write your message on the back of the frame.

8. Find a thoughtful item

Show you care by really thinking about a personal gift. Does she love books, movies, coffee, music, house plants or something else? A carefully chosen book, a voucher for her favourite coffee shop, a vintage record or tickets to see a classic film she loves will show her how well you know her and value your friendship.

9. Make time for a chat

Sometimes, making time for someone is the best way to show you care. Take a break from all the wedding planning for coffee and a long chat in person. Then, ask away!

10. A simple card, hand delivered

Finally, there are lots of fancy and expensive bridesmaid proposal ideas out there. However, when it comes down to it, a simple card written from the heart is far and away the best and simplest way to do it. Tell her why you value her and your friendship, and why it would mean so much to have her there on the big day. It’s something she will treasure forever, we promise. 

Well, we hope we’ve given you lots of ‘be my bridesmaid’ ideas. The best bridesmaid proposal ideas are always going to be the ones that come from the heart and show how much they mean to you. Not necessarily the ones that cost a lot. For more wedding planning help, make sure you check out our essential Wedding Planning Checklist. And, don’t forget, once you’ve asked all your maids you can start planning your wedding dress shopping trip and choosing bridesmaids dresses and accessories, too. The fun starts here!

Click here to check out all our bridesmaids dresses, then try on your favourites at your nearest wed2b store. Here’s what to expect when you visit, too. Lastly, for more inspiration, check out our Instagram, Facebook or TikTok accounts.