How to Ask Your Girls to Be Your Bridesmaids

You’ve found the love of your life, you’ve got a ring on your finger, and it’s finally time to start planning your wedding. Congratulations! This is a very exciting time for you — but it will also be very busy, and you’re going to need some help.

Enter your bridesmaids: the girls who have seen you through thick and thin, and will now stand beside you as you take the plunge into married life. How do you tell these special ladies that you want them at the altar with you? Here are a few tips to help you do it right.

Gather Your Girls

Asking a friend to join your wedding party is something you should do face-to-face. Obviously, there are some exceptions (for example, your high school bestie who moved cross-country after graduation), but try to get as many of your friends together as you can. Host a brunch or girls night in so you can gather everyone in one place.

Give Them Gifts

When your partner proposed, they probably have you a diamond ring as a symbol of their affection. Well, consider this your time to “propose” to your girls! Do you have to get them all diamonds? Of course not! But a little gift-giving never hurt anyone.

Your bridesmaids’ gifts can take many forms: homemade cookies, spa goodies, matching jewelry (which they can wear on the big day), whatever tickles your fancy. Just get creative and think of things your friends would really like.

Start Celebrating (and Planning)

After “popping the question” to your prospective bridesmaids, the energy at your party will be pretty high. Everyone will be so excited for you and SO excited to take part in your big day. Make sure you all have plenty of time to celebrate!

Chat with your girls, retell your proposal story, and make sure you hear your friends out if they have any wedding suggestions. They might have a perfect idea that you hadn’t even considered — after all, they do know you pretty well!