Mr. PB and I already had a pretty good idea of the bridal party before we were officially engaged. I also knew that I wanted to ask the bridesmaids in a special way. So before I even had the bling, I started browsing ideas to make the bridesmaids an offer they couldn’t wouldn’t refuse.
In addition to the beautiful hand painted cigar box in my inspiration post, some of my other favorite ideas on Pinterest were:
Such a sweet way to ask. (Pun absolutely intended.) // Source: Lip Gloss and High Heels
It’s fun and playfully helps to set some expectations. // Source: Lip Gloss and High Heels
I couldn’t decide on just one item so I decided a box of some sort was the best route to go. I began to look at wooden cigar boxes online and in stores but they either weren’t deep enough or were quite expensive. During one of my many trips to a craft store, I found photo storage boxes and a light bulb went off. Using one of these boxes, I could put the items in there and then they could potentially reuse the box afterwards.
I wanted to dress the box up a little so I purchased some sparkly chipboard stickers and affixed each bridesmaids initial to their box.
Another item I wanted to include was a frame. Along the same lines of the box, I wanted it to be something they could use later after receiving their “proposal.” I knew I wanted to include some of my favorite memories with each bridesmaid in their respective box and the frame was the perfect way to do it. I created a printout for each bridesmaid that had about 10 memories on it. I attached a small handwritten tag to each frame.
Taking a queue from an above referenced idea, I decided to include a Ring Pop in each of the girl’s boxes. I found small gift boxes at a local craft store, used a small piece of tissue paper in the box, plopped the sugary bling in the box and topped the box off with a tag that gave them a hint of what was inside.
I had started to dabble in sewing shortly before we were engaged so I wanted to give the girls something handmade as well. I somewhat mastered this box pouch tutorial from Make it Modern and decided that would be it. I modified the design slightly so I could include each color in the bag.
Seeing I’m a sports-loving girl, Team Bride items are right up my alley. I had stumbled upon a bunch during online browsing and in-store shopping and felt the need to include a couple for my girls. I found Klinger Creative on Etsy and asked the shop owner if she could change the font for me. Heather was super responsive, I received the pins quite quickly and she packaged them super cute too! I added a pin to the zipper of the box pouches. (I gave one to each of the moms, too.) I also designed a Team Bride logo for the inside of the box lid.
I intended to also put a sweet treat in each girls box – a wedding cake shaped cookie paired with some heart shaped cookies. Due to my poor planning for my local brides, the cookies weren’t exactly done/dry for them. Fail. For my out-of-town bridesmaids, I bought regular cookies from the store to give to them.
The final box, sans cookie.
To finish off the boxes, I created a card similar to the inspiration one in the post but using the wedding colors. I made four different types of cards – MOHs, local bridesmaids, out-of-town bridesmaids and my junior bridesmaid. I wanted to include things like the toast for the MOHs and I wanted to change the wording for the out-of-town bridesmaids so they didn’t feel obligated to travel for everything. Also, I edited JBM Moo’s to take the bachelorette out, include having a brother-in-law and make it more pre-teen friendly.
I also wrote a note to each bridesmaid on the back in silver sharpie and then put the cards in white square envelopes.
Add a bow and I was done. (Well, with one. There were seven to make.)
I am fortunate to report that each of my bridesmaids accepted their duties and were happy with their gifts! I am happy that I took the time to make sure they know how special they are to me.
*all photos personal unless otherwise noted
How did you ask your bridesmaids to be a part of the day? Did you find inspiration in any of the same items I did?