What to Include in Your Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes

See the special things to include when asking your best ladies to be part of the big day.

Discover a list of items that we recommend you include in your "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" proposal gift boxes, which are a growing trend for brides to offer their favorite ladies!

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Photo: Chard Photo

One of the most exciting parts of planning your wedding is choosing the members of your bridal party – should you choose to have one. While we recommend waiting to ask your bridesmaids to be part of your big day until you've determined the major details of your celebration, once it's time to do so, many brides are choosing to go out of their way to make their future 'maids feel special during the "proposal" process. 

While it's certainly not required, those couples with the time, energy, and budget to create a gift box should consider sending one to those closest to them in order to ask them to be part of the wedding party. "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" bridesmaid proposal boxes are growing in popularity – with many companies offering pre-made gift options – but what should you include in these packages if you'll be building them yourself? Below, find a list of items we recommend including in your bridesmaid proposal box as a starting point.

Tropical-Print Bridesmaid Robes

Photo by Alain Martinez Photography; Planning & Design by Posh Parties

What to Include in Your Bridesmaid Proposal Box:

A Sweet Note

Explain why this gift box is coming to them! Simply place a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” card inside the box and be sure to add personalized details, such as fond memories or inside jokes to ensure your friends appreciate the sentimental touch. Take time to write a sincere note to start off the bride-bridesmaid relationship on a sweet, sentimental note.

A First-Aid or “Emergency” Kit

Providing your gals with a mini-survival package or "wedding emergency kit" consisting of small wedding-day essentials is a fun and practical addition. Products such as safety and bobby pins, pain-reliever pills, a stain-removal pen, etc. are a great place to start for bridesmaid kits.

A Few of Their Favorite Sweets

If you know what your friends' favorite candies, cookies, or other treats are, add small packages of those inside. Everyone appreciates a sweet treat – especially when it's related to a celebration! It may even spark some ideas for your upcoming wedding cake or dessert table!

A Personalized Item

Many brides like to include some kind of personalized item – water cups, coffee mugs, Champagne flutes, small jewelry pieces, etc. – in their bridesmaid proposal boxes. These are cute, practical, and show that you put thought into the gift, instead of just having "bridesmaid" written on every product. Many of these items can also be included in getting-ready photos the morning of the wedding – just remember to remind your girls to bring them along! 

A Fragrant Candle

If you already know which flowers will be part of your wedding – or if your event has a signature scent – include a small candle with a fragrance related to your soirée. Since scent is closely tied to memory, your best girls will always remember this happy time when they light the wick. You can also buy pre-made "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" candle gifts or purchase "Will You Be My Bridesmaid?" labels to add to a candle of your choice!

Nail Polish

Chances are you’ll know at least one color each friend of yours likes – include this nail polish hue in the gift box so they'll be able to use it throughout your engagement and even after the nuptials. If you want to request that your bridesmaids have the same nail color on the big day, this is also a cute way to get that message across from the start.

A Miniature Bottle of Their Favorite Beverage

Many brides-to-be like to include a small bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine to jump-start the celebration! If you're shipping the box, this may not always be feasible, so consider a cocktail kit or a cocktail mixer for your bridesmaids to add their own sparkling wine or liquor to create a festive libation for the occasion! There are custom labels for wine too!

For more ideas, find out which bridesmaid gifts aren't really gifts, learn what not to give your bridesmaids, and get expert tips for creating your wedding welcome bags.

Opening photo by Chard Photo; From Real Wedding: Ocean-View Ceremony + Timeless Winter Ballroom Reception in California