I knew that I wanted to make a big deal out of asking my sidekicks to be part of our wedding party. I mean, it's a wedding. So, that alone is a big deal. It's also a queer wedding and my third marriage. My friends have stood by my side through everything, stuck it out and supported and loved me through it all. So asking them to have an honored position at my wedding is a HUGE deal and I wanted to recognize it as such.
But I'm not the kind of gal to give out fancy schmancy greeting cards or Tiffany necklaces. I had seen the “Will You Be My Bridesmaid” boxes on Pinterest and really liked the idea, but when I started to think about what I would put into one, I was clueless. There are no fabric swatches in my wedding, no required bridesmaid dress, no itinerary. With only two attendants, I didn't really need to introduce them to one another. Facebook had already taken care of that. And then it hit me! I would just Offbeat the concept! And thus was born the The DIY Anti-Bridesmaid Box!
I bought simple heavy cardboard boxes from the decoupage department of my friendly local craft store and covered them with awesome left-over fabric from a quilt I made last fall. I picked up a sheet of cheap craft felt for less than a dollar and lined the boxes with it.
On the inside of the lid, I decoupaged photos and quotes that related to my relationship with each woman. I also included a letter about how much I love and appreciate them.
Underneath the letter, the box is filled with little trinkets and treats.
The “real” gift was a recycled aluminum necklace charm of the state of Minnesota with a heart cut out where Minneapolis is, and a little package of salted caramel truffles.
Instead of bridesmaids or groomsmen we're having a Wedding Crew. Which, seeing as how 90% of us met via our Pirate Kickball League (underground/rebel pirate... Read more
And now for the fun stuff! I came up with a list of things that are typically requested of bridesmaids that I would not be asking my sidekicks to do. I found something representative of each of those things and attached a small tag to each one describing it.
“I won't ask you to buy an ugly dress that you will never wear again!”
“I will not ask you to do anything that involves you standing in front of a toilet holding my skirt up.”
“I won't make you wear BLING or even say the word BLING”
“I won't ask you to spend money on a ridiculous bachelorette party, purchase/use anything penis shaped, or hold my hair while I vomit in the bushes after 17 Jell-o Shots.”
“I won't tell you what shoes to wear!”
“I won't dictate how gorgeous you look on the Big Day. You don't need someone telling you how to be your beautiful self!”
Sometimes I think I am funnier than I actually am, but I think these boxes gave them both a pretty good chuckle and made them feel awfully special. Exactly what I wanted!