Fun Ways to Ask Your Best Friend to Be Your Maid of Honor

bride and bridesmaids
Photo: Jake & Heather

Taking on the role of maid of honor is no small feat, and not just anyone can do it (that's why it's an honor to be asked!). In addition to having a certain level of knowledge about you, the bride, the perfect MOH will also have a penchant for stress management and a knack for planning great parties. Does this sound like the woman you have in mind for your own maid of honor? That's probably part of the reason why she's your go-to girl. For a woman this special—and for a job this monumental!—asking her to take on the important role of maid of honor should be done in a personalized, meaningful way.

Ideally, your maid of honor "proposal" isn't just a "Will you?" question. How you ask your best friend to stand by your side on one of the biggest days of your lives should fuel both of your excitement levels for the upcoming celebration. To help you brainstorm, we've rounded up of our favorite ways to make this moment the absolute best it can be. And while a curated gift boxes, creative cards, and pretty jewelry are all wonderful ideas, we're also sharing some ideas that will help you craft an experience she'll remember.

In addition to gifting her something special, why not set up a secret picnic with your future maid of honor and bridesmaids? (Bonus points if your MOH is the last person you ask, so your bridesmaids can be in on the surprise!). Or, transform your usual mani-pedi date into a creative maid of honor proposal by asking your manicurist to paint "MOH" onto her nails? However you decide to pop this very important question, we've surely hit a method that will work for you. Click through to discover how you'll ask your best friend to take on the role of your maid of honor.

01 of 24

Floral Card

maid of honor proposal floral card
Courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.

Draw inspiration from this floral note's bright blooms and ask her to be your maid of honor with a coinciding bouquet.

Rifle Paper Co. Maid of Honor Wedding Card, riflepaperco.com

02 of 24

Maid of Honor Box

maid of honor proposal goodie box
Courtesy of Lauren Ashley Studio

This loaded box has it all—beauty goodies (like hand cream, facial steam herbs, a sleep mask, and nail polish!), a calligraphed note, and a dainty wishbone necklace. Present this to your newly-minted MOH after inviting her over for a night of pampering. That way, you can use a few of the products together!

Lauren Ashley Studio Maid of Honor Box, laurenashleystudio.com

03 of 24

Balloons

maid of honor proposal balloons with gold calligraphy
Courtesy of Etsy

Have a bunch of these maid of honor proposal balloons waiting for her when she comes home from work. Bonus points if you write a heartfelt note and place it inside of one of the balloons (she'll have to pop it!), so she knows exactly why she's so important to you.

Just Simply L "Will You Be My?" Balloons in "Maid of Honor," etsy.com

04 of 24

Polaroid Album

maid of honor proposal photo album
Courtesy of Urban Outfitters

If you two just can't quit it with the polaroid pictures (what, they're so much more fun than iPhone selfies!), gift her an album that'll hold all of your favorite memories. Pop a few of your favorite photos into the album to get her started. Just be sure to take a photo as soon as you ask her, so you can add it to her collection!

Instax Patterned Photo Album, urbanoutfitters.com

05 of 24

Personalized Hanger

maid of honor proposal hangers
Courtesy of Etsy

Have her personalized maid of honor robe—the one she'll wear on the morning of your wedding—ready to go, so you can present it to her on a hanger with her name and wedding title on it.

Fox Blossom Co. Personalized Wedding Hanger, etsy.com

06 of 24

Maid of Honor Picnic

Garden Bachelorette Party
Ava Moore

After you propose to your bridesmaids, get all of the girls together to make your maid of honor's own big moment that much more special. You can't go wrong with a festive picnic in a local park, complete with her favorite small plates, wine, and people.

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Sweet Treats

maid of honor proposal candy box
Courtesy of Sugarfina

Does she have a sweet tooth? Replace your traditional movie snacks with this option—the creative bento box trio features three of Sugarfina's more celebratory offerings, like Champagne bears, pink diamonds, and Champagne bubbles—and tell her to read each box's top ("Will you be my maid of honor?" is creatively spelled out across the cubes!). Just be prepared for her to blubber through the previews.

Sugarfina "Will You Be My Maid of Honor?" Candy Bento Box, sugarfina.com

08 of 24

Scratch-Off Card

maid of honor proposal scratch off card
Courtesy of Etsy

We can't get over this fun, scratch-off inspired card (it can be customized to read "maid of honor!"). Be sure to fill the note's insides, though, with your best memories. Including a bottle of her favorite Champagne, which you two can sip together after she accepts, definitely can't hurt.

Inklings Paperie Scratch-Off Card, etsy.com

09 of 24

Proposal Wine

maid of honor proposal speak wine rose
Courtesy of Speak Wines

Rosé is her summer beverage of choice, which means this appropriately-labeled varietal is more than perfect for her maid of honor proposal.

Speak Wines "Maid of Honor" Malbec Rosé, speakwines.com

10 of 24

Flash Tattoos

maid of honor proposal temporary tattoos
Courtesy of Etsy

Now here's a fun way to ask your bridesmaids and your maid of honor to accept the roles, together. Blindfold your best friends (bear with us!) and then apply their respective flash tattoos. The grand reveal will be so cute—and will surely make for an epic group Instagram photo.

The Tattoo Boutique Flash Party Tattoos, etsy.com

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Tarot Cards

Fortune Teller
This Rad Love with The Wedding Coven

Enlist the help of a psychic to read you and your best friend's tarot cards. You might want to gently encourage your seer to predict said friend's involvement in your future wedding (it's not cheating, we promise.)

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Candle

maid of honor proposal candle
Courtesy of Etsy

The best maid of honor proposals make an impact, which is why this thoughtful candle is so poignant—she'll recall the special moment every time she lights it.

Light Me Up Candle Co. Maid of Honor Candle in "Vanilla," etsy.com

13 of 24

Best Friend Bangle

maid of honor proposal gold bangle
Courtesy of Kate Spade

After presenting her with this quirky bangle, explain how each engraved phrase applies to your relationship. "Partners in crime" and "Sidekicks" could definitely lead to a few interesting (and nostalgic) stories.

Kate Spade Bridesmaid Idiom Bangle, katespade.com

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Puzzle

maid of honor proposal puzzle
Courtesy of Etsy

Okay, so it won't take too long for her to literally put two and two together with this customizable puzzle, but it is a fun and unique way to pop the question.

Two Crew Design Personalized Maid of Honor Proposal Puzzle, etsy.com

15 of 24

Jewelry Box

maid of honor proposal jewelry box
Courtesy of Etsy

While this hand-made box is a wonderful gift all on its own, it'll feel even more special if you shop for a few pieces of her wedding jewelry together after you present it to her.

Z Create Design Bridesmaid Jewelry Box, etsy.com

16 of 24

MOH Manicure

display of blue and green nail polish
Taryn Kent

Transform your weekly mani/pedi into your maid of honor proposal by slyly asking your manicurist to write an "M," "O," "H," and "?" across four of her nails. Try to keep her engaged in conversation while this process is underway, so that when she looks down, she's completely surprised.

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Monogrammed Mug

maid of honor proposal mugs with letters
Courtesy of Anthropologie

When was the last time you guys had a sleepover (college, probably!). Start off the following morning with a cup of homemade coffee in her new mug—it's also the perfect moment to ask her to stand beside you on the big day.

Anthropologie Monogram Mug, anthropologie.com

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Personalized Card

maid of honor proposal personalized card
Courtesy of Etsy

This card may do the asking for you, but its best feature is its incredible personalization. This Etsy retailer will work with you to get her look just right, which means the note will feel that much sweeter. Bonus points if you also have flute of Champagne and the real-life outfits you request on the card ready, so art really mimics life.

EM Illustration Studio "Will You Be My Maid of Honor?" Card, etsy.com

19 of 24

Flask

maid of honor proposal flask
Courtesy of Target

Why not mask your maid of honor proposal with a fun night out? Before you hit a few of your favorite bars, hand your BFF this flask. It'll fit right into the festivities—and come and handy throughout your night on the town.

Cathy's Concepts Maid of Honor Flask in "Gatsby Gold," target.com

20 of 24

Proposal Box

maid of honor proposal gold gift box
Courtesy of Etsy

This cute box has everything you need to pop the question—a Champagne flute, confetti, a ring cookie, and festive straws and drink stirrers. All you need to do is ask (and pop the bubbly, of course!).

Relish Print Design Maid of Honor Proposal Box, etsy.com

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Flower Arranging Class

Flower Arranging Bachelorette Party
Nadia Hung Photography

Sign up for a flower arranging class with your future MOH and bridesmaids but coordinate with the studio ahead of time, so that the woman of the hour has a different set of blooms than the rest of the bridal party. Once she realizes that her flowers aren't like the others, tell her why!

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T-Shirt

maid of honor proposal t-shirt
Courtesy of Etsy

The only tricky part about using a tee-shirt? You're going to have to figure out a way to get her into it without reading its message. She'll be moderately confused at first, but it'll immediately click when she sees herself in a mirror.

Krafty Mom Korner Maid of Honor Shirt, etsy.com

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Champagne Flute

maid of honor proposal champagne flute
Courtesy of Etsy

Is there any better way to ask your best friend to be your maid of honor than with a bottle of Champagne? Only if title-calligraphed flutes are involved.

L. Lynn Lettering Co. Maid of Honor Champagne Flute, etsy.com

24 of 24

Throw a Party

tablescape pineapple party
Mary Costa Photography

She's going to be planning a whole bunch of your pre-wedding celebrations. The least you can do is throw a party in her honor, as part of your maid of honor proposal. Go all out—design a tablescape, nail down a guest list, and prepare a menu. (Just be 100% sure she's going to say yes, especially since this idea is a bigger lift.)

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