Bridesmaid Proposal Box too cheap?

I made all 4 handmade cards and it cost probably $10 total but they were really cute and original and heartfelt. I asked them 6-7 months before though not 1 year.

@futuremrspayne it's ok -I'm so excited I don't know if I can contain it much longer

I also think buying the items in spurts will help me. I don't have to spend money at once for their gifts. With each paycheck I can add a small item. I will be sure to post the end result -whenever that may be

11 is an awful lot, but if it's what you want I would suggest something they can keep. My one friend was given a card that had a scratch off section where it said "will you be my bridesmaid" by one of her other friends... that at least gave her something she could keep. I gave my girls a reusable Starbucks cup with the proposal written on it.

You should do what suits your style and budget. For my girls, we got engaged in November, so I made plans to see everyone over Christmas (my cousin lives near my hometown, my friend from high school was back in town visiting her parents, and my MOH is my FSIL who I see all the time).

I asked them each out to brunch individually, we caught up, and then at the end I gave them a nice card that said how awesome I think they are and that I would love to have them as a bridesmaid. For me, that felt like the right amount of formality -- I didn't want to ask them over the phone, but I also didn't want to go crazy with tons of bridesmaid gifts right off the bat. Also, because I have an anxiety disorder, I was worried that if I gave them a gift, it would make them feel pressured to say yes.

But if you want to really do it up, go for it! Just make sure that a. you can afford it (and that goes for all aspects of having 11 bridesmaids) and b. the confetti won't make a mess because I would be pretty annoyed if I got one of those and then had to spend the rest of the day cleaning it up.

I'd say no to someone who sent me confetti and now I have to clean that shit up. IJS.

Whatever happened to just talking with each person directly and asking them?

Follow up or even precede a phone call with a card containing your heartfelt thoughts and memories about that person and your relationship with them. This is something that will be valued and kept.

Don't waste your money buying a bunch of crap at the dollar store, Target etc. If your friends want this stuff, they probably already have it. They likely won't want or use a bunch of brands they don't like.

Save your money to buy them one nice bridesmaid gift, instead of another bag of junk.

11?? Wayy to many people. Hell, i don't like that many people

You could include some gummy dicks too...

Totally joking.... I think you should do what you are comfortable with. It honestly seems like a lot of money to me though. Have you thought about doing a quick video on the phone of the balloon/confetti/glitter ensemble? Then the mess is yours... and you don't have to pay for shipping!

Send them each a personlized card asking them to be your bridesmaids and they can keep the card

Pick up the phone. The cost is $ 0.00

Dana, just a friendly word here, be careful of letting pinterest set your expectations for you. Multi-day, out of town bachelorettes may be out of reach for some people financially. You mentioned the wedding party and "time to save". The only thing they need to get is their attire.

Go on amazon , get the boxes for like 12 in the pack for about $5-7 dollars , then go to a dollar tree and get stuff like candles , ring pops, Advil , etc which will all be on a friendly budget .... piece of advice , try waiting a bit before asking your bridal party . I was excited and rushed at first ,starting with 10 ended up with only 7 but in reality just wanted 2

I don't think it's too early to ask! I just sent my last DIY bridesmaid box out yesterday and I'm getting married on 9/15/18! As an alternative to the balloon pop, I would check out this card/necklace from etsy which is something I included with my bridesmaid proposals and it's only $10. (Link is below)

At the end of the day, I think Rebecca is right, they are your friends and you know best what they'll enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/218926017/gold-bridesmaid-card-bridesmaid-proposal?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=bridesmaid%20card%20necklace&ref=sr_gallery_2

Hey OP, I'm glad you're considering what PPs are saying. I personally feel like wedding party proposals are just the latest gimmick thanks to the wedding industrial complex (though I'm totally guilty of giving into the idea of a "perfect wedding" in some ways). It's totally trendy, a complete waste of money, and to some it comes off as a bribe. These proposals have only been a thing for like, 3 years or so. A simple call, meet-up in person, or a heartfelt card is all you need.

ETA: Though I do think a Snapchat video or whatever (I'm an "old" 28-year-old who doesn't use a lot of these social apps) with you and a bunch of balloons and glitter giving a personalized message would be cute, if you really want to go the proposal route.

UO, but I don't think a year out is too early to ask if you have a solid relationship with the person. I definitely don't have a solid relationship with 11 girls though. I asked my MOH a year out because I knew money was tight for her and I wanted to give her time to save. She and I live on the west coast and the wedding was on the east coast near DH's family.

I wouldn't be a fan of confetti coming out of a balloon though. Sorry.

Dana, breathe. You are listening to advice so well, doesn't mean you have to change your vision.

Now my opinion, I'm not a fan of the confetti idea unless it was big ticker tape confetti. The BM proposal is cute though and is probably the only thing I miss about choosing not to have a WP. I did give my 4-year old flower girl a puzzle that turned out to be a flower with her name on it. (She doesn't read, so I gave her something she'd recognize and appreciate after too)

The thought of 11 BM's makes me anxious. Trying to coordinate and plan around 11 (or 22) peoples schedules is crazy. I would wait and think about if you really want that many. You aren't obligated to ask anyone. Good friends will understand.

Bridal parties are expensive. They buy their own dresses, but if you want their shoes, jewelry to match, that's on you. If you want their hair and makeup done professionally, that's also on your dime. Then you should get them each a nice thank you gift that is not composed of any of the above. If you're truly on a budget, rethink your number. As far as asking them... Just ask them. It's still special. And if someone legitimately can't (money, time off, distance), they will feel less crappy if it's not a huge production, methinks.

I think asking a year out is polite- people do need to save time, money, ect. I agree that a heartfelt, homemade card is the best way. The 3 weddings I have been in, the brides have always sent me a card/ letter in the mail, and I have and treasure each one. The cards talked about our friendship, how excited they were to share the day with me, what I mean in their lives, and so on and so forth.

Have your engagement party on the 23rd. There will never be a perfect time, but honestly, that is usually the date all of my friends from high school and college get together because we are "home for the holidays," but we don't have specific family obligations yet, and we mostly all are off work. Have fun, and remember to keep your vision true to who you and your people are. Nobody knows your friends and family the way you know them, and of course you know yourself and what makes you happy!

FYI THE CONFETTI IN THE BALLOONS ARE THE TISSUE PAPER KIND NOT THE GLITTER KIND***