If you are reading this, it is likely that your greatest love has recently popped the question and congratulations are in order! Now, you get to start asking a few very exciting questions of your own.
Garrett Richardson
Rather than sending a bridesmaid box or inviting them to a traditional brunch, why not let the celebrations begin early and throw a themed party to remember? When it comes to your special day and the most special women in your life, there is no such thing as over the top!
Bridesmaids and Beaches
Once the weather has warmed, there are few things better than a beach day with your best babes. Gather up your girls and head down to the shore for a party in their honor, a day spent sipping and snacking with toes in the sand. If you’re feeling adventurous, get some sea time, floating on rafts fit for each personality, from a sprinkled donut to your very own engagement ring float! Set up a large umbrella over some beach blankets and pillows for your own personal piece of bride tribe paradise.
Sips and Snacks: A beach day should be both easy breezy and fun and festive, so pack your cooler full of wine juice boxes and mini champagne bottles and you’ve got both fun and function covered! If possible, opt for lunch at a great seaside restaurant for a nice break from the beach, but pack up some delicious treats that can be shared while lounging, like fresh fruits or frozen mini chocolate dipped banana and peanut butter sandwiches. Nobody ever turned down chips, salsa and guac during a beach party either.
Bridesmaid Swag: Besides the Instagram-worthy floats you’ve got in tow, spoil your maids with individualized beach hats or bathing suits for the most epic bridesmaid beach uniform.
Sisterhood Sleepover
We all know life is busy and while Friday nights used to mean pizza and best friend snuggles, sleepovers with your girls seem to be few and far between these days. So, what better excuse to get all your girls piled into one place for a sisterhood sleepover than asking them to be in your bridal party?! Plus, cozy couch time is perfect for late night chats about your upcoming nuptials.
Sips and Snacks: Order up pizzas from your favorite spot or have fun making your own with the crew! Stock up with supplies for an easy to make and share s’mores dip and keep the wine flowing for a simple menu that puts your childhood sleepovers to shame.
Bridesmaid Swag: Gift your girls personalized sweatshirts for lounging in all evening. Whether you go for a uniformly emblazoned “Bride Tribe” or individual nicknames, your squad will be comfy and super stoked to get into the wedding planning spirit.
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Pancakes and Pajamas
If you are of the belief that there are few things in life better than deliciously sweet breakfast foods and a morning spent cozied up with your favorite ladies, then asking your girls to be part of your special day with a Pancakes and Pajamas party is definitely your style. Time to prepare the griddle and the matching sleepwear for the sweetest, comfiest of mornings.
Sips and Snacks: We have all heard of and likely been privy to the ever-popular mimosa bar, but what about a pancake bar? Hire a little help or recruit your mom to man the spatula so the flapjacks are continuously flowing hot off the griddle. Then, set up a toppings bar filled with fabulous fruits, chocolate chips, jams and syrups for a make-your-own pancake experience! Also, bubbles pair perfectly with pancakes, so go ahead and add in that mimosa bar you were inspired by. Pop, Fizz, Pancake!
Bridesmaid Swag: You’ve got the pancakes covered, now for the pajamas. Upon arrival, shower your squad with matching PJs, embroidered with their initials for that special touch. They can slip into them and get comfy before enjoying the breakfast spread and also wear them on the morning of the big day.
Serendipitous Ice Cream Social
Ice cream socials aren’t just for kids and can be a whimsical way to get your best girls together and ask them to be in your wedding. Truth be told, we all scream for ice cream and nothing says celebration like sprinkles! Plan an afternoon of indulging in a variety of delicious desserts and, if you’re feeling boozy, opt for a few spiked concoctions as well.
Sips and Snacks: Clearly, the theme is centered on ice cream, but there are so many whimsical treats that can be made with everyone’s favorite frozen dessert. Think trays of homemade chocolate chip cookies for creating ice cream sandwiches, old school glass bottles of coke and root beer for float-making, toppings as far as the eye can see for ultimate sundae building and a blender at the ready for milkshake making. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box in terms of flavors- traditional chocolate and vanilla are a must, but after that go out on a limb with unique combinations from a local creamery! Lastly, roll in a little bar cart with nips, like vanilla bourbon or vodka, if you want to turn those milkshakes and floats boozy.
Bridesmaid Swag: Make your ice cream social extra special by gifting your newly minted bridal party with personalized spoons! A set of two is super cute when stamped with your bridesmaid’s name and the date of your upcoming wedding and are expertly themed to your ask party.
Cupcakes and Coffee
Some things just go together, like you and your bridal party and coffee and cupcakes. Whether morning or afternoon, prepare a cupcake table and coffee station like no one has ever seen before in honor of the women you love as much as a good cup of joe and a mini cake.
Sips and Snacks: Coffee and cupcakes can be simple or they can be indulgent and fabulous. For your girls, go all out and set up a coffee station, complete with a never-ending pot of fresh brew, French press, cold brew and an espresso machine. They can choose their cup of joe while also opting in or out of the various add-ins, like specialty creamers or sprinkles of cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla. As for the cupcakes- make everyone forget that donuts used to be coffee’s perfect partner. Continue the theme with coffee flavored mini cakes, while also offering fruit-filled varieties, all expertly decorated so they are almost too beautiful to eat.
Bridesmaid Swag: Initial mugs are the name of the bridesmaid swag game for this bridal party soiree. You can go clean and simple with just your girlfriend’s first initial or you can amp up the personalization with the wedding date or a declaration that they are officially part of the “Bride Tribe.”
However you choose to ask your ladies to be part of your special day, just have fun with it! The most important thing is that you get to spend time together, make them feel appreciated and kick off a long line of celebrations right, with those who mean the most.
Style Me Pretty Contributor – Katie Patton is a merchant and freelance writer from Ohio, currently residing in Celebration, Florida with her fiancé. When she isn’t working you can find her sipping and snacking on a patio, traveling to see her friends and family, endlessly scrolling Instagram or Pinterest and, of course, planning her own upcoming wedding!
