There’s an insane amount of excitement after the question has been popped and you’ve said “yes.” But, after a few weeks (or days?), that excitement begins to wane and the to-do list begins to overwhelm your every waking thought.

Some things on that to-do list are more important than others, though. Like the friends and family members you’ll have standing alongside you on the most important day of your life. You know who you want on your team. Now all you have to do is invite them to join.

Are you wondering how to ask bridesmaids to be in your wedding? And not just to ask them, but to make it a meaningful and memorable moment for each of you.

Well, you’re not alone. Here’s a look at 3 approaches you can choose when wondering how to ask bridesmaids to be a part of your big day.

1) Send Them Something Customized

We’re living in a highly customizable world, and those customization options even extend to gifts perfect for proposing to your bridesmaids. You can choose an item that holds special meaning in your relationships with your prospective bridesmaids, or you can pick one that just seems fun. Your options include:

Wine or Champagne Labels: You can quickly, easily and affordably buy a wine or champagne and add a “Will you be my bridesmaid?” customized label. The quality of the wine or champagne is often a function of how much you want to spend — but keep in mind that the bottle will likely serve more as a keepsake that’s never opened.

Puzzles: Here’s something unique: Create a custom puzzle that, once assembled, spells out a message inviting the assembler to be your bridesmaid. This is a fun, quirky and unexpected way to handle asking friends and family to serve as bridesmaids, but maybe that’s exactly what you’re looking for?

Jewelry Boxes: Add a photo or a custom card to a jewelry box, and stash a customized necklace or bracelet inside. Not only does this make a great way to ask bridesmaids to join your wedding part, it also gives them something they can use long into the future.

Picture Frames: Picture frames are a great way to blend a customized gift with a meaningful memento. Find a great picture with each of your bridesmaids, and then place inside a frame that includes an invitation message. Again, this is something that will last your bridesmaids well beyond the wedding day.

Fortune Cookies: This one is fun: Write out your invitation to be a bridesmaid, and then have it printed and placed inside a fortune cookie. You could even pair this with a fun night out with your future bridesmaids, sharing the fortune cookies as an after-dinner surprise.

2) Make Something Yourself

Are you the artsy and creative type? Or, are you just feeling artsy and creative at the moment? Remember that there’s something extra meaningful about items that are handmade, so don’t be shy about making your own invitation for bridesmaids. Here are a few options:

Cookies, Cakes or Other Pastries: If you’re at all good at baking, you can make your favorite treat and then use the icing on top to ask prospective bridesmaids to join the party. Of course, this gets a little bit tougher if your invitees are out of town, but it gives them something to enjoy along with your ask.

Friendship Bracelets: Bring back something old school by creating a friendship bracelet with letter beads that spell out your question: “Will you be my bridesmaid?” Or, if space is limited, just “Bridesmaid?” It’s a fun and creative way to ask the question, and the friends and family you ask will appreciate the time, effort and thought you put into it.

Cards: There’s nothing quite like a handmade card. Use anything you like to create your card, but don’t forget the most important part: Add a meaningful, from-the-heart message inside. There are few moments in life when we get to share with the people we love just how much they mean to us. Use this opportunity as one of those moments.

3) Take Them Out

If most of your bridesmaids-to-be live in the immediate area, why not plan a fun outing for everyone? Here’s a look at a few different activities you can plan, as well as how you can ask during each:

Brunches: Make a reservation for a big table at your favorite restaurant. Then, after a mid-morning’s worth of amazing food and a few drinks, propose a champagne toast — that includes personalized champagne flutes for each of your prospective bridesmaids.

Mani-Pedis: You can now order personalized nail polish on which you can customize the label. Choose a wedding color, or pick out a different shade for each of your bridesmaids. And then share the personalized nail polish at the outset of your mani-pedi outing.

Spa Days: Who doesn’t like a nice spa day? Get your girls together for some all-important rest and relaxation, and then gift them each a personalized robe or facemask upon arrival.

Final Thoughts on How to Ask Bridesmaids to be in Your Wedding

A phone call (and certainly a text message) just won’t do. When it’s time to ask bridesmaids to invest the time, money and energy into helping you celebrate your big day, you need to do something meaningful.

Just make sure you stay true to yourself and to your friendships and relationships. If making something doesn’t feel like you, try something else. If sending a customize product doesn’t seem right, go another direction.

As you can see above, there is no shortage of different ways to approach how to ask bridesmaids to be in your wedding. Pick the one that feels most natural, and have as much fun as possible inviting your favorite women to be a part of your big day.

Check out our complete collection of Will You Be My Bridesmaid Gifts.