BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: 26 Best "Be My Bridesmaid" Ideas (2024)

Are you wondering how to ask be my bridesmaid to your BFFs? If you’re newly engaged and picking out your bridal crew, you’ve come to the right place.

After you’ve set the date (and start counting down the days), asking bridesmaids is the next important task to tackle. Bridesmaids are probably the easiest crew to assemble, since you have been planning this wedding in your head — or on your Pinterest boards — for awhile now. ;) To help, we’re sharing some tips on how to ask be m bridesmaid along with twenty-six be my bridesmaid gift ideas to make it official! Enjoy!

First things first: how to ask bridesmaids to be in your wedding. When you propose to bridesmaids and ask them the big question — will you be my bridesmaid? — you’re asking them to be an attendant and stand with you and support you at your wedding and at bridal events leading up to the big day. This includes many things from helping to plan the shower, attending the bachelorette party and festivities, buying and wearing the bridesmaid dress, and more. It’s a very fun and exciting thing to be a part of and, as such, it’s important to “officially” ask your bridesmaids to be a part of it and a gift is always a good idea.

You can ask your bridesmaids in a variety of ways, but we suggest the following: ask in person, give a small gift, be sincere, and write a hand-written note telling them all the reasons why you want them to be a bridesmaid and why you love them and why they’re the best friend/sister/cousin a girl could have.

For added fun, throw a little be my bridesmaid party and invite your girls to it as a more formal gathering.

Assuming they all say yes, this is a great opportunity to share some first thoughts on the bridesmaid dresses (see what they like, don’t like), colors (share some ideas you have), location, date, and start chatting about the bachelorette party! What a great way to kick off the wedding fun. Keep it informal and fun! Dinner and co*cktails/mocktails at a local restaurant, tv marathon-ing at home, or even a coffee run! There are no rules here.

On to the list!

Be My Bridesmaid Gift Ideas

We compiled this fun list of bridesmaid proposal ideas from A to Z.

A is for…

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Act Surprised Card

Cute! By Spade Stationery.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Box

Send an be my bridesmaid box (or be my maid of honor box) in the mail to really surprise her! Try Surprise Box as one awesome resource.

Inside the box, you get a card, scratch off card asking “be my bridesmaid”, confetti shooter, gummy candies, Essie nail polish, a handkerchief, and beautiful earrings! I’ve seen the Maids to Honor box in person and it is gorgeous!

This is another alternative packed with different be my bridesmaid gift ideas your bridal party will enjoy. By Foxblossom Co.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Card

A card is always an easy way to ask be my bridesmaid, especially when it is as beautiful as this one from Starboard Press:

I’m also crazy about this one by HmacdoPaper:

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Cookies

Ask be my bridesmaid with… cookies! Because, cookies. That’s why. :)

You can even give her a little preview of your wedding colors! By Not Betty Cookies.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Candles

Ask your bridesmaids to be in your wedding with these all natural candles! By Stony Brook Candle Co.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Dress Frame

Ask them to be my bridesmaid with these cute dress photo frames. Each one is engraved with her name, “be my bridesmaid” at the top, and a sketch of the bridesmaid dress! After the wedding, she can put a photo of the two of you from the big day. It’s a perfect keepsake. By Prince Whitaker.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Emergency Kit

One of these bridesmaid emergency kits will be a surefire sign you need her by your side, with all the accoutrements that come along with it! By FINCH and FOX.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Flannel Shirts

Flannel bridesmaid shirts are THE THING this year. And not just for fall or winter weddings, either. Get one personalized for each bridesmaid to wear while getting ready. The buttons down the front make it easy to put on her bridesmaid dress without messing up her hair and makeup. See them at Monkey See Boutique. Toss in some bridesmaid yoga pants, if you’d like, and it’s the perfect getting ready (and loungin’) outfit.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Glasses

Sip on some sparkling cider or wine with these bridesmaid glasses! By Waterfall Designs.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Handkerchief

Tell her there’s absolutely NO ugly crying — haha — with one of these pretties (from Fairgoods)…

… or a bit more formal, like one of these handkerchiefs from Printmade Studio. Your choice!

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: I’ll Be There For You Tee Shirt

Ask your bridesmaids to be your “Friends” with these cute tee shirts! Great for your Friends themed bachelorette party. By Awesome Designs Shop Co.

And she’ll be singing the song while sippin’ on this bridesmaid wine glass. By JcDezigns.

I is also for… Illustrations!

These watercolor portraits and illustrations by Reani are AMAZING! I love her style of art.

Also lovin’ these by Roxy’s Illustrations.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Jewelry

J stands for bridesmaid jewelry! Read: 100 Best Jewelry Gifts for Bridesmaids, since we’ve covered that one pretty recently. :)

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Knot Bracelet

You’ve seen a “tie the knot” bracelet before, but you’ve never seen one like this from Laosborn! It features her initial on one side with a delicate knot on the other. These bracelets are a cute way to ask bridesmaids to help you tie the knot!

Here’s an example of it being worn:

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Leather Clutch

I spotted this pretty over at Sandra Smith Handmade and it is so beautiful!

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Metal Wine Tumblers

A cute mug for sippin’? Yes, please! Find yours at The White Invite Gifts.

M is also for… Mug! This one has a sweet secret message inside. :) By The Letter Loft UK.

Also lovin’ this mug by Brinny K Design:

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Necklace

N is for Necklace, and this one is perfect for asking her to be a bridesmaid! By Petal and Paperie.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Oversized Shirts

Yay for comfy oversized shirts! These are a huge hit for the bridal party. Find some at SSweddings.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: PJs

P is for bridesmaid pjs. And these are the cutest ones I’ve ever seen! See them at Seline Lounge.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Quarter Zip

Q is for… quarter zip sweatshirt! By Southern Chic Monogram.

Q is also for quartz. And I can’t think of any possible way someone would say no to quartz. By AzramDesigns is a beautiful way to ask be my bridesmaid.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Robe

If you’re wondering where to buy bridesmaid robes, you’ll love The Fancy Pigeon. A robe is a cozy and stylish was to ask be my bridesmaid, and they can wear ’em while getting ready before the wedding.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Scratch Offs

How fun are these scratch off cards by Inklings Paperie? Very. Send ’em in the mail for some snail mail cheer!

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Ties (Hairties)

Honestly, you can’t go wrong for five bucks! And you can pick any color hair-ties you like best! By LottieShoppe.

BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL IDEAS: Unicorn

We couldn’t resist this adorable unicorn piñata from LulaFlora. Fill it with candies, lip balm, a “be my bridesmaid” note, glitter, confetti, cold hard cash — whatever you want!

Emma Arendoski

Emma is the CEO of Emmaline Bride, The Handmade Wedding Blog, published author, leading wedding expert, and wedding planner. Read her latest book: The Inspired Wedding. Wife, mother, coffee lover. Follow on Instagram and at Emmaline Baby for baby + kids inspiration.