Pop a question of your own to the special people in your life with these “will you be my bridesmaid?” gift ideas

You said yes! Now it’s time to plan your dream wedding, and of course, no ceremony would be complete without your wedding party. Bridesmaid proposals are gaining deserved popularity as brides-to-be go all-out to ask their friends and family to help them say ‘I do’. But what makes the perfect bridesmaid proposal? These are our favourite bridesmaid proposal ideas for asking your loved ones the big question.

What is a bridesmaid proposal?

A bridesmaid (or bridesmate) proposal is a special moment in which you officially ask your favourite people to be in your bridal party. Being a bridesmaid is a big commitment. So it’s a considerate touch to ask your friends and family if they are happy to fulfil this important role. Bridesmaid proposals, much like engagement proposals, usually involve a thoughtful speech or message accompanied by a gift. The idea is to show the recipient how much it would mean to have them involved in your wedding day.

Of course, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to when to carry out your bridesmaid proposals. However, it’s helpful to hand out your gifts around nine months to one year before your wedding date. This will give your party enough time to plan your celebrations and generally get ready for the big day.

Wondering how much to spend on bridesmaid proposal gifts is an individual decision? Again, this is down to you as an individual. It depends on factors like the size of your wedding, how many bridesmaids you will have, and your arrangements for covering certain costs. If you’re buying your bridesmaids’ dresses or arranging professional hair and makeup for them, for example, it makes sense for your bridesmaid proposal gifts to be simple, as there are more gifts to come.

Thoughtful bridesmaid proposal ideas

Put together a bridesmaid proposal box

What better way to pop your own big question than to surprise your best friends with a box full of little treats they will love? You can buy pre-packed boxes that you can embellish with your bridesmaids’ names and roles, and even personalise the items inside with their initials or favourite colour for an extra-special touch.

You could also get really creative and buy customised boxes to fill yourself. It takes a little more time but is the perfect thoughtful gift. Think candles, face masks and chocolate for your friend who loves self-care. Or perhaps go for lip balm, a compact mirror and necklace or earrings for the glamorous one in the group! For an added sense of celebration, you could even include a miniature bottle of gin.

Make a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” chocolate hamper

Chocolate is a classic gift for good reason, and we have the perfect chocolate gifts to make any bridesmaid-to-be’s day. Combine flavours to create a personalised tasting journey for each bridesmaid to show how well you really know them.

Is your friend an adventurous foodie or a keen chef? Treat her to a bold flavour experience with our chilli chocolate and ginger chocolate, complemented by perfectly balanced milk chocolate for a rounded tasting experience. For the drinks connoisseur, our liqueur chocolates are a match made in heaven. We recommend our elegant Champagne Truffles for a decadent treat befitting the occasion.

Are your bridesmaids vegan? We’ve got the perfect selection for them, too. Our vegan chocolates embrace the flavours and aromas of cacao, following our mantra of “more cacao, less sugar.”

Not sure where to begin? Let us help you with our collection of expertly curated chocolate hampers.

Send a treat in the post

If your wedding party live far away, or if you’re planning to surprise them with news of your engagement, a treat in the post is the perfect way to ask them to be your bridesmaids. You can send them your perfectly-crafted chocolate hamper with a personalised note. Alternatively, opt for a classic bouquet of flowers to brighten their home for days to come. Another fun way to surprise your bridesmaids is to send a big ‘pop me’ balloon. Inside, your loved one will find a note asking them the big question.

Celebrate with a toast

There will be plenty of reasons to celebrate at your bridesmaid proposal, so why not do it in style? Choose a bottle of each bridesmaid’s favourite wine or some prosecco. Then, add a personalised bottle sleeve or bag with their name, a little message and the key question: “will you be my bridesmaid?”. If some of your bridesmaids don’t know each other well, this idea fits nicely with hosting a gathering for all your bridesmaids to break the ice before the big day. It’ll also get them thinking of ideas for your hen party.

For a delicious tipple you won’t find anywhere else, may we recommend our Classic Prosecco? We source this unique concoction from a boutique winery in the stunning Dolomite foothills, and the taste is clean and balanced with a flowery note. Alternatively, try our Vintage Red Wine. It’s crafted in the Alentejo of Portugal from four heirloom grape varieties, resulting in a rich and punchy red-fruit flavour that’s designed to be savoured.

Keep it simple with a card and a small gift

Like marriage proposals, bridesmaid proposals don’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful; in fact, it’s often the small, thoughtful details that are the most memorable. Buy a pretty card, or one with a design that reminds you of the recipient, and write a heartfelt message which ends in you asking them to be your bridesmaid. Do your friends live nearby? You could arrange to meet them one-to-one to present them with the card and a simple gift — perhaps one of our luxurious small chocolate gifts. Alternatively, if they are far away, send it in the post and let them know to look out for something special.

Make your bridesmaid proposal extra special with luxury chocolate from Hotel Chocolat

For memories that will last a lifetime, only the finest quality will do. We lovingly craft our range of chocolate to suit every taste, with a touch of luxury to mark your bridesmaid proposals. Browse our full range of chocolate to find the ideal present for each of your bridesmaids-to-be. Need some more inspiration? See all of our gift ideas. From Gifts for Her to Small Chocolate Packs, there’s something for everyone.