Choosing my bridesmaids was one of the most stressful aspects of wedding planning for me. As I'm sure many brides would say, looking back there a few things I would do differently about the wedding. Especially when it comes to my bridal party. For whatever reason, I got the idea in my head I couldn't have a huge bridal party and gave myself a limit of six. I also didn't want to burden people with the cost of bridesmaid dresses and other inevitable costs of being in a wedding. However, those weren't my decisions to make. If my friends weren't able to travel, or didn't feel they were up to being a part of the wedding, I should have given them the opportunity to decide.
Throughout my life, I have been blessed with amazing friendships. I am still very close with girls I met in elementary school, high school and my college roommates. People are often surprised that I've known my very best friends for so many years, and that we have such a tight knit group. If I could go back, there are definitely a few additional friends I would ask to stand by my side, and not limit myself to only six bridesmaids. And hopefully those girls know how much they mean to me, and that I wish I had gone about things a little differently. But lucky for me, I did have six incredible woman standing by my side as I said "I do" and we had the best time getting ready the morning of the wedding. They are friends I know will be aunties to our future children, and still love and put up with me once I become old & senile.
Once I finally decided on my bridesmaids, I knew I wanted to ask them to be in the wedding with a simple, creative gift. I could have easily gone above and beyond, but I knew there would be a lot of upcoming expenses so I wanted to keep it affordable as well.
I found a shop on Etsy to order a custom card with each girls name that I was able to print myself on card stock. Then I found a cute vanilla candle in a mason jar at the craft store and decided I could make my own custom labels to personalize them. I bought these labels and used PicMonkey to create a design and printed them myself. It was so simple and easy. Four of the girls I was able to ask in person, so I wrapped the candle and card in a cute bag for them. But I mailed my sisters package as well as my friend Joy who lives in Southern California. I felt like the box was a little bare so I added a pastel pink nail polish.
It was a simple package but the heart felt card made it personalized for each of my bridesmaids and the candle was something they could continue to enjoy. I was happy with the way they came out and felt like they fit with the overall style of our wedding and was something personalized for each of my girls that showed how much they each meant to me.
If you're married, I would love to hear how you asked your bridesmaids to be in your wedding!
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