An Offer She Can't Refuse

There are plenty of ways to make your bridesmaids feel truly special that you’ve chosen them — and maybe pave the way for a smooth trip to the altar. “Will you be my bridesmaid?” cards are becoming increasingly popular, according to Sheryl Garman. “The bride can put together a little kit with wedding favors, a candle, and write a nice poem,” she says. This works well for out-of-town potential bridesmaids whom you can ask to call you as they’re opening the package. (Paper on Pine in Center City has a selection of white linen cards with a real fabric dress on the front that pops the question to your best girlfriends.)

Gail Madison suggests selecting a photo of the two of you having fun together, framing it and including a handwritten note. Or, if you want to be really sweet about it, personalized, individually wrapped dress-shaped cookies from The Flour Pot in Ambler are available with your query scrawled in icing — they’ll even do them in the colors you’ve chosen for the wedding.

But whether it’s over a low-key dinner or with a beautifully wrapped bribe, both Garman and Madison stress that you should ask each bridesmaid individually, so that no one feels put on the spot or uncomfortable explaining why she may not be able to make it. Plus, you might just be too excited to wait — “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with picking up the phone,” says Madison.