HOW I’M ASKING MY BRIDESMAIDS

This is definitely going to be the most fun Wedding Wednesday so far because I’ve teamed up with Shutterfly to show you how I’m asking my bridesmaids! I definitely wanted to do something fun and make them feel extra special. I knew I wanted to include a bottle of my favorite rosé and a thoughtful note but I wasn’t exactly sure what to say and how to tie it all together. Here’s my little rule of thumb for notes and toasts: when in doubt, make it rhyme.

design darling bridesmaids cards

design darling asking my bridesmaids

That’s right: I wrote them a poem! And I’m sharing it here in all its goofy glory in case any of you want to use it too. Poems are just the best — they can be serious but also silly, and they’re usually more memorable than a regular note. I wrote one for Will on our first Valentine’s Day poking fun at how we met and then that summer we collaborated on a rhyming toast for our friends Jane and Scottie’s rehearsal dinner. Here’s what I wrote to my bridesmaids:

design darling bridesmaids poem

design darling how to ask your bridesmaids

Cheers to the girls (and guy!) who know me best,
whose friendships stand out from all the rest.
The friends who’ve seen me at my best and worst,
it’s the nine of you I thought of first.

Some of you I’ve known since day number one,
that’s twenty-six years of friendship and fun.
Some of you are dear friends I’m so lucky to know,
and I’d love you all there when down the aisle I go!

I can’t wait to have everyone in one place together,
surely new memories I’ll treasure forever.
Come September 2, 2017, the day I say “I do”
just wouldn’t feel the same without each one of you.

Dearest [name], my day will be made
if you say yes, you’ll be my bridesmaid!

design darling bridesmaids gifts

design darling shutterfly bridesmaids cards

What do you think?! I know I’m not the next Shel Silverstein but I do think it’s a playful and unexpected way to show that you put some serious time and thought into what you want to say. I like to think my bridesmaids will each keep their copy tucked away somewhere and laugh again when they rediscover it!

design darling asking your bridesmaids

I picked out a customizable trifold save-the-date where I could upload my own design and switch out the names on the first and third pages. I chose a favorite calligraphy-inspired font called Asterism for the front of the card and decided to use hot pink text to match the grosgrain ribbon. Whether you’re tweaking one of their existing designs or uploading your own, Shutterfly gives you so many little design options (think scalloped edges, striped envelopes, and more!) that take each product to the next level.

shutterfly monogrammed wine glasses

design darling monogrammed wine glasses for bridesmaids

It was when I spotted these monogrammed wine glasses (also from Shutterfly) that everything really clicked. Customized with each of my bridesmaids’ initials, they perfectly tie in the bottle of wine and the “cheers” in the first line of my poem — and hopefully made them all feel as special as they are! Even though I won’t be there to pop the cork and cheers with each one of them in person, assembling each little package made me that much more excited to get to celebrate with everyone in the months to come.

design darling asking bridesmaids

Shutterfly has so many cute paper goods and personalized gifts (whether you’re shopping for a wedding or just because!). I hope you enjoyed seeing how I asked my bridesmaids — I’d love to hear how you asked in the comments!

*This post is sponsored by Shutterfly. All ideas and opinions are my own. 

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