When I first got engaged and had an idea of where (and when!) we wanted to get married, I asked my closest girlfriends, sister, and sister-in-laws if they wanted to be my bridesmaid in the lamest way possible…I sent them e-mails! How uneventful was that? If I could go back in time, I would have definitely put together a cute bridesmaid proposal box to send them.
Now you can learn from my mistakes by putting together fun, creative ways to ask your friends and family to be part of your big day day. To help you in the process, we’ve put together a list of our favorite bridesmaid proposal boxes that you can buy or DIY. But first, let’s get into the bridesmaid proposal basics.
What is the purpose of a bridesmaid proposal?
A bridesmaid proposal is just a fancy way of asking your friends if they want to be in your bridal party. While it’s completely acceptable for it to be a casual question posed over a call, email, or dinner out, you can also have fun with it! You can send them flowers with a note asking them to be your bridesmaid in a clever way, such as:
- “I can’t say ‘I Do’ without you. Will you be in my bridal crew?”
- “I got my rock, now I need my flock. Will you be in my squad?”
- “Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something YOU. Will you be my maid of honor?”
- “I can’t be a bride without you by my side. Will you be in my bride tribe?”
Do you set a date before asking bridesmaids?
Ideally, yes! But if you have a lot of friends getting married and you know it’s going to be a busy season for your friends, you may want to ask your bridesmaids and reserve a “date range” for them. For instance if you know you’re looking at venues with July availability, let them know and ask them as soon as possible. That way you can call dibs on their attendance!
What is usually in a bridesmaid proposal box?
A bridesmaid gift box can be as small or extravagant as you (and your budget) want it to be. It can be filled with any fun items you like, though it’s usually better if you can includes gifts that work with a specific theme.
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For how much they cost, you’ll find prices between $30-$60+ for completed bridesmaid boxes from an online retailer. You can also DIY and save. You can choose a personalized bridesmaid proposal box (like this one on Etsy that will include the names of your bridesmaids) for around $5, and fill it with goodies (like candy or other sweet treats) you find in bulk from Costco, or on sale at Sephora (like those sheet masks they always tempt you with at checkout. You’ll also need box filling (like this crinkle-cut paper). Even if the cost ends up around the same or a little less, you can have fun deciding on a theme you know each bridesmaid will love. Here are a few of our favorite bridal party gift box ideas…
Champagne + Chocolate:
- Bottle of Veuve Cliquot (you can get a discount if you buy a case. Alternatively, you can also buy a mini champagne bottle to save on cost.)
- 2-piece truffle box
- Average price (not including box): $53
Spa Day at Home:
- Gold under eye patches
- Jade roller and Gua Sha tool
- Average price (not including box): $36
Pasta Night:
- Fettucine with mushrooms
- Garden vegetable sauce
- Average price (not including box): $20
Other bridesmaid proposal box fillers include:
- Bath salts or bath bomb
- Lip balm
- Hair ties
- Sunglasses
- Candle tin
- Jewelry
- Ring dishes
It’s important to remember that bridesmaid proposal boxes don’t have to be big, or filled with multiple gifts. A pretty pair of earrings in a special earring box with a note attached works perfectly!
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Where to Buy Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes
If you’re hoping to buy custom gift boxes, you have several online options, which we’ve included below. Online stores to look at include:
- Etsy
- Boxfox
- Goldbelly (who doesn’t want a delicious package of food?)
- Foxblossom
- Unboxme (best value, though they don’t offer bridesmaid-specific cards, so you would have to opt for their blank card option and write your own message)
- Simone Leblanc
Bridesmaid Proposal Box FAQ
Absolutely not. But they are a great way to make asking a friend to be your bridesmaid, fun! And they don’t have to be overly complicated. A bottle of wine with a note attached to it, even a notebook to keep tracking of all the fun wedding parties they’ll invited to will work. It’s the thought that counts.
As soon as you have your wedding date (or an idea of when it will be) you can ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding party. The more notice you can give them, the better. But make sure you know the “where and when” first, so they can plan.
You don’t have to go overboard with box fillers. You also don’t need to use a box! An inexpensive necklace in a tied burlap gift bag will also do the trick. If you do opt to fill a box with treats, try to buy in bulk when you can from stores like Costco and Amazon if you’re having more than 5 or 6 bridesmaids. It will help you save!
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