Will You Be My Bridesmaid? 55+ Ways to Ask

Asking someone to stand up with you is a small proposal of its own, and most people freeze at the wording. Here are 55+ examples for every role in the wedding party.

Send yours in a free congratulations ecard, or write it into a card with the proposal box.

Will you be my bridesmaid?

1. I cannot imagine the day without you standing next to me. Will you be my bridesmaid?
2. You have been there for every big thing so far. Will you be there for this one too?
3. Will you be my bridesmaid? I promise a dress you can actually sit down in.
4. I am getting married, and I need my favourite people beside me. Will you?
5. Will you stand with me on the best day of my life?
6. There is nobody else I would rather have next to me. Will you be my bridesmaid?
7. I said yes. Now it is your turn — will you be my bridesmaid?
8. Will you be my bridesmaid? Fair warning: there will be spreadsheets.
9. You have talked me through every crisis. Come and be there for the good bit.
10. Will you be my bridesmaid? It would mean everything to me.
11. I need someone to hold the flowers and tell me the truth. Will you?
12. Will you be my bridesmaid? Say yes — I have already told my mum you would.

Will you be my maid or matron of honour?

1. You have been my person for years. Will you be my maid of honour?
2. Will you be my maid of honour? Nobody else was ever in the running.
3. I need one person to keep me upright on the day. Will it be you?
4. Will you be my matron of honour? You have earned the title several times over.
5. Of all the people who could stand beside me, it was always going to be you.
6. Will you be my maid of honour? A speech is optional. Mostly.
7. You already do the job. Will you make it official?
8. Will you be my maid of honour? I would be lost without you.

Will you be my best man?

1. I am getting married. Will you be my best man?
2. Twenty years of nonsense together. Will you stand up with me for this?
3. Will you be my best man? You know too much to be anywhere else.
4. There is nobody else. Will you do it?
5. Will you be my best man? Keep the speech short and mostly true.
6. I need one person I can rely on completely on the day. That is you.
7. Will you be my best man? I will owe you one, permanently.
8. You have got me out of worse. Will you be my best man?
9. Will you be my best man? Say yes and I will stop asking about the stag do.
10. Will you stand beside me? It would mean a great deal.

For groomsmen, ushers and bridesmen

1. Will you be one of my groomsmen? It would not be the same without you.
2. I am getting married and I want you up there with me. Will you?
3. Will you be an usher? Mostly directing confused relatives, but still.
4. Will you stand with me on the day? Suit details to follow.
5. Will you be one of my bridesmen? Dress code negotiable.
6. Will you be part of the wedding party? I would love you there.
7. Groomsman duties: turn up, look smart, keep me calm. Interested?
8. Will you join the wedding party? It would mean a lot to both of us.

For flower girls, page boys and children

1. Will you be our flower girl? You get a very important job and a new dress.
2. Will you be our page boy? You will have the most important job of the day.
3. We are getting married! Will you help us by being our flower girl?
4. Will you carry the rings for us? It is the most important job there is.
5. Will you be part of our wedding? We would love you there.
6. We would like you to be our flower girl. Say yes!

For a close friend who is not in the party

1. You are not in the wedding party, but you are one of the reasons the day matters. I wanted you to hear that from me.
2. We kept the party small and it was genuinely hard. You are no less important to us.
3. Will you do a reading? I want your voice in the day somewhere.
4. Would you give a toast at the reception? It would mean a lot.
5. Not asking you to wear anything uncomfortable — but I would love your help on the day.
6. You matter to us enormously. I hope you know that whatever the seating plan says.

Short lines

1. Will you be my bridesmaid?
2. Will you be my best man?
3. Stand with me?
4. I need you up there.
5. Will you be my maid of honour?
6. Say yes!
7. Will you do it?
8. It has to be you.

How to ask

1. Ask in person if you can. A card is lovely as the keepsake, but the asking is better done face to face.
2. Say why it is them. One specific reason turns a request into something they keep.
3. Be honest about the cost. Dresses, hen dos and travel add up — raising it early is a kindness.
4. Give them room to say no. Circumstances vary and a graceful exit should be available.
5. Tell close friends who are not in the party. Hearing it from you beats working it out from a seating plan.

Send it — and pair it with a gift

A free congratulations ecard works for friends you cannot ask in person. See also what to write in a wedding card and bridal shower messages:

FAQ

How do you ask someone to be a bridesmaid?

Say why it is them specifically, then ask directly. In person is best, with a card as the keepsake.

Should you give a proposal gift?

Optional and increasingly common, but a card with a genuine reason written in it matters more than the box.

How far in advance should you ask?

Nine to twelve months before the wedding, so they can plan around costs and dates.

What if someone says no?

Accept it warmly. Cost, health or personal circumstances are usually the reason, and pressing makes it worse.

What do you say to a close friend who is not in the party?

Tell them directly and offer another role — a reading or a toast. Hearing it from you avoids real hurt.

Should you mention the costs?

Yes, early and plainly. It is the single most appreciated thing a couple can do for their wedding party.