MY BRIDESMAID PROPOSAL BOXES
Box my bridesmaid proposal gifts with me! Gift giving is one of my love languages, so it was so much fun for me to pick out individual things that I love and hope they’ll love too. From the start, it was important to me to support local businesses and invest a little extra in shopping small — not just because I adore finding unique pieces, but because this is really the only gift I’ll be giving my bridesmaids to honor them outside of the actual wedding day. Everyone’s budget and priorities look different, and truly, it’s the thought and intentionality that matter most.
I spent a few months curating every detail — exploring North Georgia markets and local art festivals like the Norcross Art Festival in October — and set a firm deadline to have everything ready by Thanksgiving. One of my future sisters-in-law lives in California, so I wanted to be able to give hers in person and surprise both of my future sisters-in-law together.
Curating my bridesmaid proposal boxes was one of my favorite parts of wedding planning — it was a chance to slow down, get creative, and celebrate the people who’ve been by my side through everything. If you know me, you know I love all things dainty and girly, so that’s exactly the vibe I went for when curating each box. I kept a soft pink theme throughout (because I’m a pink girly at heart!) but added touches of white and black to keep everything timeless, classy, and a little more unique.
More than anything, I wanted the boxes to feel truly special. I included handwritten notes to each friend — a small but meaningful way to tell them how much I love them and how grateful I am for their support over the years. I spent months collecting pieces from all over: some from the Historic Downtown Norcross Art Splash Festival (one of my favorite North Georgia spots for discovering handmade treasures), others from Pigment and Pine, a local boutique in Cumming, GA, and a few things I crafted myself. I also found several pieces on Etsy, making sure that each one was handmade by a small business — it was important to me that every item supported real makers and creators.
Every detail — from the ribbon to the tissue paper — was chosen with love and intention. My goal was for each bridesmaid to open her box and immediately feel appreciated, celebrated, and so loved.
The Historic Norcross Art Splash Festival
One of my favorite stops while putting together my bridesmaid proposal boxes was the Historic Norcross Art Splash Festival, an annual fall event that transforms Downtown Norcross into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. Each October, Thrasher Park fills with over a hundred artists from across the country, showcasing everything from folk art and ceramics to photography, mixed media, and the sparkliest handmade jewelry. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours wandering, finding treasures that feel truly one-of-a-kind.
For 2025, the festival added something extra special — the Local Maker’s Market at the historic Norcross Library on North Peachtree Street. This new section highlights artisans and crafters from Norcross, Peachtree Corners, and Berkeley Lake, making it a true celebration of shopping small and supporting local. Between the live music, the food vendors, and the creative energy everywhere you turn, it’s one of those North Georgia weekends that feels straight out of a Hallmark movie.
“Peach Please” Candle by Jia Essential
$25.00 each
When I saw this candle, I instantly knew it belonged in my bridesmaid boxes. The “Peach Please” candle by Jia Essential looks like a dessert straight out of a Southern summer — complete with hand-poured peach slices made of wax on top. The scent is perfectly Georgia-inspired: fresh orange sweetens this recreation of juicy, ripe peaches.
Because we’re getting married in Georgia, I wanted to include something that felt locally rooted and symbolic — a sweet little nod to the state we call home. The warm, fruity fragrance and realistic design made it both unique and sentimental, the perfect mix of “classy” and “fun” that I wanted each box to have.
2. “Petals and Lace” Artisan Soap by Southern E-Scentuals
$9.00 each
When I came across Southern E-Scentuals at the Historic Norcross Art Splash Festival, I immediately knew I wanted to include their products in my bridesmaid boxes. I had actually bought soaps from them the year before and fell in love with how soft, hydrating, and luxurious they felt. They also make the cutest bath balms — perfectly giftable and so fun to browse through in person.
I chose the Goat Milk & Shea Butter Soap in “Petals & Lace” because the name instantly reminded me of a wedding — delicate, romantic, and timeless — and it truly smells amazing. The scent felt perfectly in line with my vision for my bridesmaid boxes: soft, feminine, and a little Southern.
Based in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Southern E-Scentuals crafts each batch by hand using a blend of nourishing ingredients, including saponified distilled water, coconut oil, tallow, olive oil, canola oil, sodium hydroxide, fragrance and/or essential oil blend, rice bran oil, shea butter, castor oil, goat milk powder, titanium dioxide, and mica.
Beginning in March 2025, they also transitioned to using tallow as a sustainable alternative to palm oil — an ingredient rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K that enhances the creamy lather and helps each bar last longer. Every soap is unique in its marbling and wrapped in a white organza bag that doubles as a gentle exfoliation tool and soap saver — a small, thoughtful detail that feels both practical and indulgent.
💌 You can also sign up on their website to receive 20% off your order!
3. “Legends” Candles by Sugarboo & Co.
$9.00 each
Another favorite stop while curating my bridesmaid boxes was Pigment & Pine, a local boutique at The Collection off Exit 13 in Cumming, Georgia. I love this shop because it’s filled with thoughtful, beautifully designed pieces — the kind that make perfect gifts but are also so hard to give away because you want to keep them for yourself.
Years ago, Sugarboo & Co. had its own location at The Collection, showcasing work from local artists and makers. Though that space has since moved, Pigment & Pine now carries several of Sugarboo’s beloved collections, keeping that same creative, community-driven spirit alive.
While browsing, I came across the Sugarboo & Co. “Legends” Candles, each one inspired by a musician or lyric. I immediately fell in love with the concept — candles that blend music, memory, and meaning. I chose two from The Beatles collection:
“Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you.” — 1969, London
“In my life, I love you more.” — 1965, London
Both quotes felt beautifully symbolic of this season of life — love that’s deep, enduring, and full of gratitude. The candles are small but luxurious, part of Sugarboo’s 3-ounce “Legends” collection — perfect for gifting or traveling. Each one is vegan, made from soy wax, and poured in Sugarboo’s signature patchouli-amber scent, which feels cozy, nostalgic, and timeless.
4. Custom Hairbrush by J and J Modern Designs
$30.00 each (however, they usually have a sale going on of 50-75% off! I got mine for $22.50 each.)
One of my favorite personalized touches in the bridesmaid boxes were these custom hairbrushes from J & J Modern Designs on Etsy. I actually discovered them while scrolling through Pinterest one night — one of those happy finds that instantly felt so me. I had been searching for something that was both practical and beautiful, and these brushes were exactly that.
Each brush is engraved with the bridesmaid’s name in a delicate script, making it feel like a keepsake they can actually use long after the wedding. The light wooden finish fit perfectly with my soft, neutral, romantic palette, and they added such a sweet, feminine detail to each box.
I loved that they felt high-end while still being affordable, and they arrived quickly with beautiful packaging — which always makes the experience even better. You can tell J & J Modern Designs puts so much care into every single order, from the engraving quality to the finishing touches.
5. Handmade Hydrangea Leaf Dish by Beachwood Street
$22.51 each
One of the most special Etsy finds I included in the bridesmaid boxes were these Handmade Hydrangea Leaf Dishes from a talented ceramic artist on Etsy. I instantly fell in love with how beautiful and delicate they were — each dish is created by pressing a real hydrangea leaf into the clay, leaving behind the intricate veins and organic texture of the foliage. It makes every piece completely unique, like a small work of art shaped by nature itself.
Hydrangeas have always felt so classic and romantic to me, and they’re commonly used as a wedding flower, so these dishes felt perfectly symbolic for the occasion. I messaged the seller and asked if she could make a custom batch of white 5-inch dishes for my bridesmaids, and she was so thoughtful and accommodating. She made sure every single piece arrived in perfect condition and right on time.
I loved that these dishes could be used as a jewelry catch-all, ring dish, or simple keepsake — something beautiful they could display and actually use. They added the perfect mix of texture, charm, and craftsmanship to the boxes, and they’re one of those gifts that truly feels handmade with heart.
6. Cute Pet Coffee Mug by Leechee Ceramic
$43.28+ each
Okay, I have to admit — these custom pet coffee mugs from Leechee Ceramic on Etsy might be one of my absolute favorite things I’ve ever ordered. Each one is completely handmade by an artist based in Germany, and they are beyond adorable. Inside each mug, your pets are hand-painted sitting right in the bottom of the cup — you can include one, two, or even three pets!
The process was so personal and special. I sent the artist three or more photos of each pet, and he painted them to look exactly like them — down to their unique markings and personalities. I also asked to have each bridesmaid’s name hand-painted on the front of the mug to make them even more personal.
You can choose between a 250ml or 350ml size. I ordered the 250ml mugs for my bridesmaids without realizing they’re a bit smaller than a standard U.S. coffee mug. While I personally prefer the larger 350ml size for everyday use, I actually like the shape of the 250ml mug much better — it’s petite, rounded, and has such a sweet, dainty feel. I ordered the larger 350ml version for my sister (my maid of honor), and I’ll be showing the size difference for comparison.
When the mugs arrived, I was completely obsessed — they’re honestly one of the cutest and most creative custom pieces I’ve ever seen. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and overall charm are unmatched. They added such a fun and heartwarming touch to the boxes and instantly brought a smile to my face.
7. Pink Ditsy Snowflake Butter Socks by The Paper Store
$6.99 each (or 5 for $18.00!)
Even though The Paper Store isn’t a small business, it’s actually the nation’s largest family-owned specialty retailer, which makes me feel a little better about “cheating” on my shop-small goal.
No bridesmaid box is complete without something soft and cozy — and these Pink Ditsy Snowflake Print Butter Socks from The Paper Store were exactly that. Made by mia & tess, they’re as soft as their name suggests — a buttery, cloud-like texture that’s the ultimate little luxury for lounging.
I loved the delicate pink pattern and subtle snowflake design, which tied perfectly into my feminine, romantic theme while still feeling seasonal and practical. Each pair has just enough stretch to slip on easily and wraps your feet in total comfort — the kind of socks that make you want to curl up with a blanket and a cup of coffee.
They’re exclusive to The Paper Store, made from 100% polyester, and fit women’s sock sizes 9–11 (shoe sizes 5–9). I also added my own touch by wrapping a soft chiffon ribbon around each pair, inspired by presentation ideas I’d seen on Pinterest. It added the prettiest, giftable look — dainty, simple, and totally on theme with the rest of the boxes.
8. Hand-Engraved Stemless Wine Glasses by Me!
Materials Cost Per Person: $14.00 each for 5 Bridesmaids
One of my favorite parts of putting these boxes together was getting to add something I personally made. I’ve been obsessed with the hand-engraved perfume bottles that have been trending lately — they’re so elegant and personal — but they can be really costly, especially if you’re creating multiples. And since empty perfume bottles aren’t exactly the most practical gift, I decided to take that same idea and make it my own.
I ordered a set of stemless wine glasses from Amazon, along with a nail drill, burr bits, and a few other supplies, and created my own version of the engraved look. Each glass has the bridesmaid’s name etched into it in a soft, handwritten style that feels elevated but still personal. The finished result looks so delicate and high-end — it’s hard to believe it was done at home!
This ended up being such a fun, creative project and a really meaningful way to add something custom to each box. Plus, I know I’ll get plenty of use out of the engraving tools for future gifts and projects (and maybe even my own wedding décor!).
If you were only buying the materials for this project, I calculated the cost per person by dividing the total spent on tools and supplies among the number of glasses I made. That helped me stay within budget while still creating something that felt thoughtful and one-of-a-kind.
🛠️ Materials I Used
Stemless Wine Glasses — Shop on Amazon
Nail Drill — Shop on Amazon
Burr Engraving Bits — Shop on Amazon
Liquid Chalk Marker — Shop on Amazon
Gold Rub & Buff — Shop on Amazon
Burr Lube — Shop on Amazon
Total Cost
I spent a total of $148.29 per bridesmaid. You don’t have to spend as much as me or you can spend more than me. What matters most is the thought and recognizing the most special girls in your life. I know I’m so thankful for mine.
