One of the best features of any wedding ceremony is its ability to bring people together. For the couple getting married, it is an opportunity to expand and strengthen their support network, which will be important in the upcoming chapter of their lives. In particular, the bride will choose some bridesmaids and a maid of honor to accompany her on her journey.
Much like with any speech for a wedding or reception, there is no standard way of writing a maid of honor proposal letter. However, there are several items or prompts you can consider writing in your proposal, such as an anecdote about your relationship with each other. Likewise, there are three types of bridesmaid proposal letters that you can choose from, which are formal, poetic, and informal.
A brief explanation of the purpose and benefits of maid of honor proposal letters is given below, followed by instructions for writing your own proposal letter. Six templates are also provided for you to use as you see fit. Lastly, some tips to keep in mind related to maid of honor proposal letters are enumerated.
What Is a Maid of Honor Proposal Letter?
Simply put, a maid of honor proposal letter is a letter that a bride gives to a loved one whom she wants to be her maid of honor. Although maids of honor have traditionally been women, brides had a lot more flexibility in choosing the members of their bridal party in recent years.
Maid of honor proposal letter is just one of the many ways you can ask someone to be your maid of honor. You can simply pop the question during a casual conversation, message them on social media, or orchestrate an elaborate surprise.
With that said, a proposal letter might be the best method for you based on the following considerations:
- You express yourself better in writing.
- You find face-to-face sentimental conversations awkward.
- Your chosen maid of honor lives far away.
- You are introverted.
Writing a Maid of Honor Proposal Letter
What Your Proposal Letter Should Contain
To begin with, there is no set way to write a maid of honor proposal letter; there is no “right” or “wrong” method of composing one. What matters most is the clarity and genuineness of your message. Having said that, here is a list of ideas for things you can include in your maid of honor proposal letter:
- Share an anecdote from your friendship or relationship over the years.
- What do they mean to you?
- How have they helped you?
- What makes them special to you?
- How are you feeling about your upcoming wedding?
- What would it mean to you for them to be your maid of honor?
Types of Maid of Honor Proposal Letters
There are three types of maid of honor proposal letters, each with its distinct style of writing. Being aware of all types will make it easier for you to start drafting your own maid of honor proposal letter.
- Formal. This type of proposal letter utilizes conventional and proper language. Moreover, it has all the parts of a traditional letter: heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature. The body itself is also generally divided into three parts, namely the introduction, main content, and summary or conclusion.
- Poetic. Similar to formal, the poetic style of proposal letters observes proper use of language. However, the various elements of poetry have to be considered, including meter, rhyme, stanzas, and so on. The language itself is often more creatively utilized, employing figures of speech, wordplay, and more.
- Informal. In contrast to the formal and poetic styles, informal maid of honor proposal letters have more freedom and flexibility when it comes to the use of language. The writer is free to include abbreviations, slang, and other gimmicks. Similarly, you can also insert witty and humorous statements.
It is worth stressing that there is no superior type of proposal letter for your maid of honor. As mentioned above, what matters most is that you write a sincere and heartfelt maid of honor proposal letter. If you feel that you can better convey your emotions in an informal letter, then you are free to do so.
Sentimental Maid of Honor Proposal Letter Templates
Formal Maid of Honor Proposal Letters
1. “August 25, 2022
Dear (name of the potential maid of honor),
Words cannot express how thankful I am that you have been by my side for the past 10 years. We have overcome so many challenges and obstacles together and individually because you always empower me to be the best woman I can be.
I know that times have been rough lately, and we haven’t spent much time together as of late. However, I want that to change. You are the very first person I told about my engagement to (your partner’s name), and you are the person I want to be there to guide me through everything. You are like a sister to me, and I trust you with my whole heart.
With all of that said, I would like to have you as the maid of honor for my destination wedding in Italy next year. I love you so much and there is no one I would rather have in this role.
(Name of the potential maid of honor), will you be my maid of honor?
All the love,
(your name)”
2. “November 9, 2022
Dear (name of the potential maid of honor),
First and foremost, I want to start this letter with something simple — I love you. I don’t know if I say it enough or too much, but I have too much love in my heart and you, more than any friend I have, deserve it. I appreciate every memory we create, every moment we share, and every plan we make. With you by my side, I feel that I can conquer everything.
Your elopement in Tennessee last year with (potential maid of honor’s spouse) inspired us to elope in the U.S. as well. In general, you inspire me every day to be the best version of myself. You taught me one of the most important lessons I’ve learned in life: “Happiness is not by chance but by choice.”
Planning has never been my strength; you know that (your partner’s name) and I are the adventurous and spontaneous type of couple. However, after years of being your best friend, I know that you thrive in this kind of situation. More than that, I want you there by my side, just like it has always been since we were in high school.
I want you to be my maid of honor but, in all honesty, it is an honor to be your best friend. Will you accept my invitation to be my maid of honor?
Sincerely yours,
(Your name)”
Poetic Letter to Maid of Honor
3.
4. “I’ve been dreaming of my wedding
For as long as I can remember.
Sometimes it would be in June,
Other times it would be in September.
Sometimes I would carry roses,
Other times it would be violets.
Many men have been the groom
But their names I’d always forget.
Only one thing has been constant
Every time I dreamed of my wedding day:
You were always there by my side,
Sharing the happiness along the way.
And so, I am asking you, (name of the potential maid of honor),
To take on a remarkable task.
Will you be my maid of honor?
That’s what I want to ask.
I can’t imagine marrying (your partner’s name)
Without you being near.
So please say yes, (name of the potential maid of honor),
And fill my heart with cheer.
Informal Maid of Honor Proposal Letters
5. “Hi, (name of the potential maid of honor)!
Five years ago, if you would’ve told me that I’ll be getting married to the man of my dreams, I would’ve probably slapped you on the arm. You knew how skeptical I was of finding love. However, when I met (your partner’s name), I literally felt like the main character of a rom-com. I thought it was too good to be true, but you were always there to remind me of my worth.
You have been the best hype woman, partner in crime, and bestie any person can ask for. That’s why I’m so excited for you to see this letter come in the mail, leave it on your table for a few days, then come back to it.
(Name of the potential maid of honor), will you be my maid of honor? Yes or yes? (I’m kidding, you can totally say no. I’d understand. No, really, I would. It wouldn’t make me sad or anything…)”
6. “Hey there, (name of the potential maid of honor)!
I hope this letter finds you when you’re not on one of your weekly Modern Family binges. Lord knows nothing can — and should — disturb you while you’re busy laughing at Cam and Mitch.
I remember when you first introduced me to that wonderful show. Wasn’t it Season 3 that we started watching together during our second year in college? You would always say you wanted to hang out with me, but you were just coming over because my roommate and I had a TV in our dorm.
Anyway, remember college? That was a wild time. Not to be dramatic, but I really couldn’t imagine going through those years without you by my side (mostly as a bestie, sometimes as a moral compass). I don’t say this enough, but thank you for everything, really.
I know you’ve heard about my engagement with (your partner’s name) — I know because you were the first one to comment on my post, 30 seconds after it went up. And you’re probably wondering why I’m even writing this letter to you. Well, here goes:
(Name of the potential maid of honor), will you be my maid of honor?
- Yes (I love you!)
- No (use the space at the back to write a 500-word essay as to why this is your response.)”
Tips for Writing a Maid of Honor Proposal Letter
Include the Letter in a Proposal Box
A proposal box is a set of items that a bride sends to someone she wants to have as a bridesmaid or maid of honor. The box is typically personalized to contain essentials and the recipient’s favorites.
While a proposal box in itself is already an exciting way to ask someone to become part of your bridal party, including a sentimental maid of honor proposal letter will make the proposal even more memorable.
When to Send a Maid of Honor Proposal Letter?
In constructing a planning timeline for your wedding, it is best to get it done early on in the process. Specifically, send your maid of honor proposal letter at least six months before the wedding. This gives your recipient enough time to think about your proposal, plan the pre-wedding events, and buy their bridesmaid dresses.
Handwritten Letters Are Better
It is worth mentioning that there is nothing wrong with sending a printed letter. There are several reasons why doing it digitally may make more sense: lack of time, lack of self-esteem regarding your handwriting, and so on.
However, if it is within your capabilities, opt for sending a handwritten maid of honor proposal letter. Writing the letter by hand shows that you dedicated effort and sentiment to the act. Handwritten letters also ensure that your proposal is aesthetically unique and one-of-a-kind.
Invest in Good Stationery
As with any wedding-related stationery such as invitations and thank-you messages, the stationery you will use for your maid of honor proposal letter must be of high quality. If you are going to write the letter yourself, it is recommended that you use a fountain pen or ballpoint pen with blue or black ink.
As for the paper, you would want to use cream, ivory, or white paper with a watermark and a minimum weight of 100 gsm. This will ensure that the ink you are using will not show through on the back.
Final Words
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge and templates, it’s time to craft your own unforgettable maid of honor proposal letter. Remember, it’s the sentiment that counts the most!
