12 Creative Bridesmaid Invitation Ideas

Your girls are important to you, and so is your wedding. You need girls by your side who you love and trust to help you plan. Weddings aren't all work though -- let them know just how fun your wedding day will be by asking them to join your bridal party in a creative way.

1. Scavenger hunt

Source: Scavenger Hunt

For the girls who love puzzles. There are a couple of ways you can do this one. For a memory-based hunt, leave clues in your favorite or significant places to lead her around your city. At the end, meet her with a gift basket (or one of these great tote bags!) and ask her to be your bridesmaid. This one will take a lot of planning, so it might be best to save it for your Maid of Honor. Or, make the scavenger hunt wedding themed and have a list of specific items rather than clues, and have the girls team up to complete it together.

2. Be my “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”

Source: Something Blue

For the more sentimental type, write a sweet letter to your girls, like this one:

Tradition says there are 4 things a bride needs on her wedding day: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. I’m not sure about all that, but I do know:

our friendship is old,

our dresses will be new,

I may borrow your shoes,

and I’m blue without you!

Be my bridesmaid?

3. Custom shoes

Source: Sandals, Gold Shoe

While the converse-and-wedding-dress shoe trend may be fading, writing a note on the bottom of the bride or groom’s shoes isn’t. Extend this to your bridesmaids by giving them a pair of shoes you know they’ll love. These can be flats, tennis shoes, or stilettos. If you have enough planned for your wedding, you can give all the girls matching shoes they can wear to the wedding and/or reception. Write a note on the bottom asking them to be your ‘maids!

4. Send her flowers

Source: Floral Arrangement

Who says you can’t send your friend flowers? Most girls love getting flowers. Send her a gorgeous arrangement; just don’t forget to sign the card!

5. Ask with food

Source: Bridesmaid Cookies

You can’t go wrong with food. There are also tons of options for asking someone to be your bridesmaid that involve food. Take her out to dinner. Order delivery and binge-watch all the romantic comedies on Netflix. Decorate fudge or cookies together (ask her to be your bridesmaid in icing – who could say no to that?!) Maybe she loves a strange food combo, like Michael from Princess Diaries loves skittles on pizza. Instead of “Sorry”, write “Bridesmaid?”

6. Coffee

Source: Bridesmaid Mug, Polka Dot Personalized Mug

Arrange to meet up with her for coffee, but arrive early and order for her. Have the barista write “will you be my bridesmaid?” on her cup. You may need to be a little crafty with this one if she doesn’t notice right away. You could ask “Oh, did I grab your cup on accident? What’s the name?” For the eco-friendly coffee lover, or just for a more permanent gift, get a personalized coffee mug and have the barista use that for her coffee.

7. Personalized (wine) bottle label

Source: Personalized Wine Bottle Label

Get a bottle of her favorite wine, champagne, or other drink an put a personalized label on it. You can order a bottle with the label or make your own.

Want to do more than a bottle of wine? Check out these personalized wine-themed gifts!

8. Video invitation

Source: Video Invitation

For your long distance girls: you can still make the invitation more personal and exciting than a phone call or text. There are tons of cute videos going around the internet where someone makes signs instead of talking to share a story, reveal a pregnancy, or any other reason! You have complete control over this one, so make it as sappy or funny as you want. Maybe your invitation will go viral!

9. Are you having a destination wedding?

Source: Passport Cover

Give her a passport cover with a note inside! Bonus points if the note is on paper that looks like a passport page and is stamped with wherever you’re going (even if it doesn’t require a passport to get there).

10. Use your dog

Source: Dog Invitation

Do your girls love dogs? Or maybe your fiancé proposed to you by putting a ring on a puppy’s collar. A dog is probably the most adorable way to ask anyone anything. So why not your bridesmaids? Hang a sign around your dog’s neck, or just let him lay there and look cute with a sign next to him, if he doesn’t like things around his neck. Can he fetch a newspaper? Have him deliver a rolled up note to your girl.

11. Custom nail polish label

Source: Personalized Nail Polish, Maid Up Kit

Put together your own make-up kit (hint: use your wedding colors!) with nail polish and remover, a nail trimming set, eye liner and shadow, lip liner and lip stick, mascara, blush, foundation, highlighter or any combination of these! If possible, create a custom label for the containers.

12. Scratch off card

Source: Scratch Off Card

You’ve won the lottery with your fiancé, so let your girls share some of your luck with a super cute scratch-off invitation.

There are hundreds of ways to ask someone you care about to be your bridesmaid. The hard part is choosing which way to ask! What’s your favorite?

Elizabeth graduated from The University of Findlay with a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing. She now resides in Portland, Oregon where she is employed in the real estate business and is particularly enjoying the local cuisine. As a writer, Elizabeth believes in a quote from one of her favorite TV shows: "We have only two jobs on this Earth. The first: to learn. The second: to cope." A deep desire to learn struck Elizabeth when she was young, and now she hopes to help you cope by sharing information, and helping you apply the knowledge. Weddings and event planning can be overwhelming; sometimes it's okay to take a little advice from a stranger on the internet.

The Little Black Bridesmaids Dress

Black is the new black.  Okay okay, so bright and bold hues were forecasted to be this year's hottest trend but don't be fooled because the absence of color is definitely back full force.  This staple wardrobe color can be styled to be romantic, classic, modern, retro, or even boho.  And since black flatters any figure it only makes sense to don your leading ladies with a gorgeous little black number she will definitely wear again.  Pair your dresses with some strappy sandals or daring colored pumps for a splash of color.  Contrasting monochromatic bouquets also look stunning next to the dark backdrop created by a simple black gown.  For more daring brides, hand your girls a black color swatch with your dress length preference and let them pick their own gown.  Giving your girls the freedom to pick their own dress is the perfect way to get  a wedding day wardrobe that will be cohesive yet unique.  To help with your hunt for the perfect little black dress, here are a few of our favorite must-have frocks.

Classic bridesmaids dresses have a simple and understated elegance to them.  From timeless  A-lines and simple sheaths to strapless floor length gowns, you can't go wrong with a classic little black dress. (Left to right: J.Crew, Jim Hjelm, J.Crew, Dessy)

For romantic brides, don't forget the girly trimmings.  Ruffles, bows, ribbons, and ornate lace detailing simply ooze romance.  To stay on trend and score one of this season's hottest looks, opt for a simple lace dress for your girls. (Left to right: Bardot, David's Bridal, Alexon, Dessy)

Boho is for the bride who's looking for a laid-back, thrifty chic style.  Opt for a high-low dress for this season's trendsetting style.  For our Bohemian brides, we especially love TwoBirds Bridesmaids wrap dresses which can be wrapped in a million different ways to flatter each individual's figure. (Left to right: TwoBirds Bridesmaid, BCBG, ModCloth, Aidan Mattox)

Retro dress styles will have your girls looking timeless while still keeping with your vintage aesthetic.  Cap sleeves, circle skirts, and pinups dresses are sure fire ways to get that vintage glam look.  Stay on trend by grabbing an illusion neckline dress.  Your ladies will love your high fashion pick. (Left to right: ModCloth, Asos, Stop Staring, Dessy)

Modern brides will love these architectural little numbers.  It's all about volume and structure with these modern frocks.  For daring brides, channel Carrie Bradshaw and throw in a structural headpiece for a touch of avant-garde styling.  For this season's must-have look, opt for a trendy peplum dress. (Left to right: Calvin Klein, Alexon, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood)

Top 5 Trends for Fall Bridesmaids

Counting down the days until your fall wedding? We've got the hottest tips on how to outfit your bridesmaids for the upcoming autumn season.

Trend #1 - Fantastic Fall Colors.

Fall colors are no longer limited to orange, brown, and yellow. More and more brides are incorporating rich hues like peacock blue and plumy purples for a more varied palette. We love this and your bridesmaids will too! While orange and yellow can be difficult colors to wear, blue and purple compliment a variety of skin tones easily. This lovely purple dress was designed by Megan Sweet.

Trend #2 - The Cardigan

Cooler temperatures in autumn don't provide the best weather for those strapless bridesmaids dresses. Keep your maids cozy with beautiful cardigans dressed up in cashmere or ruffles. The girls shown here paired their teal dresses with lovely gray cardigans. (Image Credit: We Are Home Sweet Home)

Trend  #3 - Cowgirl Boots

Inspiring little country girl hearts everywhere, the cowgirl boot trend is an adorable tribute to your down home roots. This look goes great with flowing floral prints and lacey shabby chic tunics. This look will really take off this year thanks to recent wedding of country singer Miranda Lambert. The photo shown here combined soft brown boots with a muted almost-denim, blue. (Image Credit: Thunder Storms and Cat Naps)

Trend  #4 - Foliage over Florals

Using fall foliage, like wheat, leaves, and branches in lieu of more flowery bouquets will finish off your rustic autumn wedding with a unique flourish. This is a great way to set your bridal bouquet apart from the rest of the girls as well. I love the look of these multi-colored wheat stalks gathered with a lacy bouquet wrap.

Trend #5 - Non-traditional Fall Themes

Fall leaves are lovely, but not for every bride. Autumn brides are branching out with their colors and decor. The most surprising and unexpectedly popular theme for this fall is peacocks. A peacock theme provides a beautiful color palette ranging from green to purple to many different shades of blue. The feathers look great in vintage, sophisticated and rustic settings. The fabulous peacock bridesmaids dress shown here was actually found on etsy! Who wouldn't want a custom made dress?

We hope you've been inspired by these top five trends - but don't forget to add a little bit of your own flavor. You want your wedding to modern, yet also full of your own personality.

~ Jenna

The Most Versatile Bridesmaids Dress Ever

It wasn't that long ago that it was considered perfectly acceptable to walk into a bridal store only to see a small rack of puffy sleeved bridesmaids dresses in your choice of taffeta, taffeta, or....tafetta!  Oh, but not anymore.  The wedding fashion world has finally caught up with the rest us.  Brides today have some really great options to choose from.  Ones that actually complement their wedding day vision.

If you are searching for the ultimate one-size-fits all bridesmaids dress that is guaranteed to be worn again and again, you have to check out TwoBirds Bridesmaid.  What makes them so great?  Their dresses are the epitome of versatile, boasting over 15 different ways that they can be worn, and they are almost guaranteed to look good on any figure.  I don't know about you but I also just love the idea of buying a dress that can actually be worn again!  Some of TwoBird's dresses in action:

Priced at about $270 each, if the price tag is too high for your wallet, there are more affordable alternatives available from larger chain retailers (like this multi-way dress from Dessy priced at $140 each).  A word of caution when going with a less expensive dress...be sure to take into consideration that you may not get the quality, service, and/or color selection that you would get by paying full price.

Happy Planning!