How To Ask Friends to Be Bridesmaid? - Prom Dresses & Bridesmaid Dresses

Congratulations! You’re engaged! Celebrating with those who’ve supported you through the good and the bad: your best friends and family, aka your future bridesmaids and maid of honor.
Before asking your friends to be bridesmaid, asking yourself these questions first:

How many bridesmaids should I have?

Luckily, there are no hard and fast rules here，i t’s up to you how many people you have, from one person to lots!
And your number of bridesmaids doesn’t have to match the number of groomsmen either. If there are more bridesmaids than groomsmen, you can have a groomsmen walk down the aisle with two bridesmaids.

when you ask someone to be a bridesmaid?

It’s generally recommended to ask friends and family to be bridesmaids between eight months and a year before the wedding. This gives them enough time to get their bridesmaid dress, help plan your bachelorette party and, for destination weddings, save up! However, if your wedding timeline is shorter, just give as much notice as possible. 🙂

Who to ask to be your bridesmaids?

Ask your friends to be bridesmaid is really a matter of personal choice. Figuring out who to ask to be your bridesmaids by answering these questions: Who do you want to celebrate with at your bachelorette party; Who do you want to be getting ready with the morning of your big day; And most of all, who do you want to stand next to you at the wedding.
Generally speaking, they are Close friends, Family, or Mix of family and friends.

Once figureing out timing and who you’re going to ask, then the next step is poping the question to your best mates.
This step can be a fun step by asking them the question that’s filled with excitement, emotions, and great expectations: Will you be my bridesmaid?

The very first step in how to ask someone to be your bridesmaid is figuring out who to ask to be your bridesmaids. In other words, figure out Who do you want to celebrate with at your bachelorette party; Who do you want to be getting ready with the morning of your big day; And most of all, who do you want to stand next to you at the wedding.
Generally speaking, they are Close friends, Family, or Mix of family and friends.

Top 35 creative unique and heartfelt ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids:

In general, a bridesmaid proposal doesn’t need to be fancy, though you can go with something more elaborate and planned. For example, consider organizing a game night, scheduling a mani-pedi date, or presenting them with a meaningful item they can use forever. On a budget? Lean into cost-friendly ideas, like giving your gals a framed photo or writing out “vows” to recite in person.

It’s considered polite to ask in person, either in a private conversation or during a small gathering. You can explain why their presence would be meaningful to you.
Including these ideas based on your personality type:

A balloon in a box. There’s a note attached to the balloon that says “pop me” to reveal a shower of confetti and a secret message inside. The secret message is written on a rolled up piece of paper with the question “will you be my bridesmaid?” You can even add confetti or glitter to the balloon for an added surprise.
Messages in Balloons: Write the word “BRIDESMAID?” on 11 balloons, one letter per balloon
A Personalized Gift: It can be customized jewelry, handwritten letters.
Customized Jewelry: Give them a necklace, bracelet, or earrings with a special message.
A Handwritten Letter: Express your feelings and gratitude in a heartfelt letter.
A Box of Treats: Fill a box with their favorite snacks, a bottle of wine, and a handwritten note.
A Surprise Game Night: Under the guise of a night of fun and games, invite your nearest and dearest and let them know prizes await.
Prepare wedding-themed categories for games like Charades or Pictionary. Towards the end of the night, hand out your “prizes”, a bridesmaid proposal kits to everyone. You can even say, “Everybody gets a prize because I’m hoping everyone will be on the same team: Team Bride.”
A Scavenger Hunt: Create a fun scavenger hunt that leads to the final question: “Will you be my bridesmaid?”
A Digital Invitation: Send a cute and creative digital invitation via email or social media.
Design a Custom Card: Consider designing a custom card that speaks to each bridesmaid’s personality. You can even pair it with a gift, like small makeup bags, cozy shirts, or Champagne and wine flutes.
Bridesmaid Scratch Off Card: Customize a scratch-off card with a personal message. Under the scratch-off part of the card, your friends will find a message asking them, “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?”
Personalized Bridesmaid Notebook: Customize a print with the bridesmaid’s name and the wedding date.
Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes: Have a message on the inside of the lid or a card. Write a heartfelt message to each person in a stylish “Will You Be My Bridesmaid? card and include a favorite photo of the two of you.
Bridesmaid Proposal Fortune Cookies: Keeps food and beverages in mind when it comes to asking pals the big question. Offer a sweet treat, hand out custom-made sweets—you can buy them online—with ‘Will you be my bridesmaid?’ on the little white fortune paper inside.
Open a Box of Macarons: These sweet confections ooze feminine perfection, which is why they are an ideal way to propose to your bridesmaids. Plan to send each person a box of varying flavors, but before you drop them in the mail, have a calligrapher write out “Will you be my bridesmaid?” in edible glitter on the cookies,“Food is always popular.”
Bake Them Cake: If you’re a bride-to-be who loves to bake, why not make batches of your kitchen specialty? Whether it’s cookies, cake, or pie, your friends will appreciate the love and effort you put into making the saccharine treat. Include a card with the big question or, if you’re good at icing calligraphy, write down the question yourself in frosting.
Matching Gifts Box: If all your bridesmaids-to-be live nearby, invite them over for pizza night or a dinner party. Give matching gifts boxes to your friends and ask them to open them at the same time. The gift box filled with wedding-related items is a safe and thoughtful bet. Fill the box with a mini bottle of bubbly, nail polish, sheet masks, and other sweet treats along with a handwritten note from you.
Set Up A One-on-One Coffee Date with Each Person: Can’t get the squad together all at once, organize a special coffee date with each person at one of your favorite shops. Ask the barista ahead of time to write “Will you be my bridesmaid?” on the cup instead of your friend’s name. Just make sure your pal reads it before she drains her java.
Special Dress Hanger: Give each person a special dress hanger that’s been personalized with their name, or a bridesmaid robe for them to wear on the wedding day.
Throw a Wine Night: A wine and paint night, pottery class, or flower-arranging workshop and pop the question there.
Gather your group for a wine-tasting or drinks night at your home. Once you’re all together, present the final ready-to-sip selection: A delicious white or red varietal with a custom label that playfully asks the imbibers to be in your wedding party.
Don your most feminine, floral-print dress as you and your favorites sit down for afternoon tea. Along with scones and clotted cream, petit fours, and cucumber sandwiches, share with your crew just how much they mean to you, and how much it will mean for them to stand alongside you as you say “I do.” The best part? Afternoon tea often comes with Champagne!
Sign Up for a Floral Workshop: Consider proposing to your bridal party over some blooms. Bring your crew to a floral workshop at a local shop, and stocking each station with your friends’ favorite flowers. Then, attach a note directed to each person asking them to be in your wedding party.
Treat your pals to mani-pedis at the nail salon: Gift them with a bottle of Essie’s “Bachelorette Bash” polish along with a card explaining that you’d like them to wear the color on your wedding day.
Customize A Puzzle with A Photo of You and Your Friend: Minted offers tons of fun (and easy!) options that can be customized with text like “Be my bridesmaid?” and your wedding date.
You Can Never Go Wrong With Flowers: Pick out bouquets you know each of your bridesmaids-to-be will love and have them delivered.
Remember the thrill of receiving a bouquet of flowers? Do the same for your soon-to-be bridal crew and send handpicked arrangements to their home or office address. Pop the “Will you be my bridesmaid?” question in the accompanying card.
Present a Picture Frame: You can’t go wrong with a photo of you and your future bridesmaid (or bridesman) in a beautiful frame.
Say It With a T-Shirt: Making a witty tank for your wedding party to rock throughout the planning process. Give each wedding party member a tee as you pop the question.
Peruse customizable websites like Etsy, where you can comb through shirts with catchy phrases like “Bride’s Babes” and “Nacho Basic Maid of Honor.
Begin the Robe Life: Gifting them a robe as you ask them to be in your party. Whether you opt for a floral print, flannel, or a classic white terrycloth with monograms, one thing is for sure: Your crew will love the comfy gesture as much as they will adore being near the altar on your big day.
Say It With Vows: Writing vows to each friend or family member as you pop the question. “When you ask them to come along with you on this often chaotic and emotional wedding adventure, call out the fact that if you do begin to freak out, you’re hoping they snap you back into place like they have done time and time again throughout the years.
Sip Cocktails and Eat Canapés: It’s time to get fancy. Invite your VIPs to an evening of craft cocktails and bite-sized nibbles while you request the honor of their presence—as bridesmaids. Throw the cocktail party at your favorite local cocktail joint, you can also make it an at-home affair. Just hire a bartender to keep the drinks flowing, so you can focus on the enjoyable stuff: planning the wedding with your newly minted bridal squad.
Throw a Boozy Brunch: Have your pals meet you at a classic brunch spot, where you can propose to the group over breakfast drinks and plenty of bacon. Nothing says bride-to-be quite like bottles of bubbles.
Share the Insta-Love: What better way to acknowledge your friendship than proposing on Instagram? Set up a day and time you’d like to pop the question online and ask your crew to check their feeds once your post is live.
Throw a Themed Movie Night: Gather your crew at your place for a night of popcorn, candy, and your wedding-themed film of choice. Like 27 Dresses, Bridesmaids, or My Best Friend’s Wedding. Pop the question by referencing a character or scene in the movie. For instance, a post-27 Dresses screening sample would be, “Will you be my Katherine Heigl?”
Keep It Cute and Personal by Filling a Tote With All Their Favorite Things: Such as favorite snacks, beloved beauty brands, or go-to rosé. It shows how well you know each friend, and they’ll be stoked for the gifts along with the big question.
Host a Book Club: If you and your gal pals are avid readers, why not host a fake one? Choose a wedding-themed fiction book that you love, send out copies of the book to your friends, and tell them to meet with you over wine and cheese to discuss. Facilitate the “session” with your proposal. You can reference the book, the characters, or just ask the classic, “Will you be my bridesmaid?”
Ask With a Luggage Tag: It’s for a destination wedding. Sending out monogrammed luggage tags for your bridal party, make the luggage tag read like a calling card with their name-comma-title. On the accompanying note, write down, “Come on this journey with me?”
Surprise Them at Dinner: Coordinate with the restaurant beforehand to do either one of two things: Insert a card in each menu with the handwritten question, or, even better, coordinate with a server to deliver small boxes (or envelopes) containing your note as they pour each guest a glass of vino.
Register for Dance Class: Book a private class just for your group. Towards the middle of the night make an announcement and say that you hope this will serve as “practice” for all the dancing they’ll do as the bridesmaids at your wedding.
Plan a Spa Day: If you have the budget, plan a day of pampering at your local spa for your nearest and dearest. Or, hosting this event at your home, complete with face masks, eye cream, and Champagne if you can’t afford to pay for everyone’s treatment.
Schedule a Candle Making Class: No one can refuse beautifully scented candles? Your crew will love this item even more once they know it’s their bridesmaid proposal gift. Create custom labels ahead of the class—ones that say “Will you be my bridesmaid?”—and hand them out once everyone is done with their special project.

No matter how you choose to ask, the most important thing is to ask in person. It express your sincere appreciation for their friendship and support. A heartfelt and personal touch will make your request even more special.
The bridesmaid proposal doesn’t require a lot, just a sweet message to let her know how much you value the friendship. Sticking to a personal monologue on why you want this particular person to be part of your day. It’s the heartfelt part that matters after all.

Some things you can say when asking someone to be a bridesmaid include:

“As I prepare for the day I’ll be a bride, it would mean the world to me to have you by my side!”
“A toast to us being lifelong friends. Will you be my bridesmaid?”
“You’re not just a friend, you’re also a sister to me”

Funny Will You Be My Bridesmaid Wording Template

Hey [Your friend’s name],
Just in case [your partner’s name] is a no-show, don’t leave me standing at the altar by myself. Will you be my bridesmaid/maid of honor?
Love,
[Your name]
P.s. I promise I won’t make you wear an ugly dress.

After poping the question, you’ve probably already thought about the style of affordable bridesmaid dress that would look good on your group of gal pals as they transform into members of your bridal party.

Continue to read about: What Should I Consider When Choosing Bridesmaid Dresses?