Pop the question: Creative ways to ask bridesmaids to be in your wedding

So he finally proposed, and you said yes -- congratulations!

One of the first steps in planning your wedding is making a few proposals of your own. Many brides are thinking "out of the box" when asking their pals to be bridesmaids.

"I don't think that asking people to be in the bridal party has gotten quite as elaborate as proposals, but I see invitations being used a lot," says Nancy Moreton of Weddings by Nancy in Cape Girardeau. She's found plenty of cards online that say "Will you be my bridesmaid?", and there are even websites where you can design your own invitations.

"I think doing it through the mail is a charming touch and gives the girls something to keep," says Moreton. "A really cute idea would be for the bride to download a photo of she and the friend to put on the invitation or in the invitation to make it really personal."

If you're crafty, consider making your cards by hand for an extra-special touch. "I've found my man, but I still need my girls" and "I can't say 'I do' without you" are two lines Amanda Lukefahr of Lukefield Special Events has seen on handmade cards. Another idea, she says, is to make a card that says "Now it's my turn to 'pop' the question," and include a cake pop, lollipop or soda pop.

A few other ideas we like: a bottle of wine with the invite printed on the label, tasty cookies or cupcakes along with an invite, fortune cookies with personalized messages and "proposing" with a Ring Pop in a cute box.

Candice Davis of Cape Girardeau is still touched by this bridesmaid invite from a good friend: "Last year a dear friend who I served with overseas in the Navy sent me an embroidered handkerchief with the latitude and longitude coordinates of where we served together and the question "Will you be my bridesmaid, Candice?" stitched beautifully. It was almost as awesome and unique as she is!"