Hi friends! Courtney here. If you’ve been following along the last several months, you know I’m getting married this summer. We’ve been busy planning and I can hardly believe the big day is coming so soon.
Many of you asked on Instagram to see wedding ideas and planning tips, so I wanted to share some of the simple, meaningful details we’ve been working on. I’ll also post photos after the wedding so you can see how everything came together.
A guiding principle for this wedding has been simplicity with personal touches—small elements that feel memorable and intentional. I shared some of our vision and a mood board on the blog previously.
Today I’m sharing the sweet, low-fuss way I asked my bridesmaids to be part of our day.
UPDATE! I also published a new post with photos, details, and planning advice about our wedding. Check it out on the blog for more inspiration.
Bridesmaid Proposal Gift
There are so many creative bridesmaid proposal ideas out there. Our story began with my fiancé proposing to me with a message in a bottle on the beach last fall, so that theme felt special and meaningful. Using the same idea to ask my friends to stand with me felt natural and personal. This simple concept also works well for favors or place settings at a celebration.
DIY Message in a Bottle
I ordered a bottle set that included tiny scrolls. If that exact set isn’t available, there are similar options—some include colorful scrolls while others are plain glass bottles and corks you can fill yourself. The little scrolls were just large enough to write “Will you be my bridesmaid?” and a special note for my sister, who I asked to be maid of honor.
To echo our wedding’s pressed flower and wildflower aesthetic, I added small dried florals to each bottle. I used a mixed pack of dried flowers and trimmed pieces to fit inside. Combining two varieties per bottle gave each one a slightly different look, almost like a tiny terrarium.
I wrote each bridesmaid’s name on a small paper tag and tied it to the bottle with baker’s twine. A mini hole punch would have been ideal for the tag holes, but a small pair of scissors worked in a pinch. Each bottle was boxed with shredded kraft paper, and I included a note inside expressing how much their friendship means to me.
They were so happy when they opened the boxes. It’s nice that the bottles double as little keepsakes or decorative pieces.
Supplies and Sources for Message in a Bottle
If you want to recreate this idea, here are the main supplies I used and alternatives to consider.
Glass Bottles with Cork:
- Small glass bottles with corks—some sets include scrolls, others are just bottles for you to customize.
- Choose larger cork bottles if you want room for a longer message or bigger florals.
- There are also options that can be customized with a printed message on the scroll.
Mini Scrolls:
- Blank or pre-printed tiny scrolls are available in a variety of colors and sizes.
- Sets often include small rings so the scrolls stay rolled and tuck neatly into the bottle.
I also used dried flowers, baker’s twine for tags, shredded kraft paper for packaging, and small gift boxes to present each bottle. A mini hole punch makes tidy tags, but you can improvise if needed.
PS. Another fun idea: set up a message-in-a-bottle station at your event. Guests can write advice or well wishes on scrolls and drop them into a large glass bottle. We plan to read ours on our first anniversary.
I’ll continue sharing behind-the-scenes wedding planning on Instagram and the blog, including the mood board and other details. More to come! 🙂