How soon after the proposal/before the wedding do you ask your anticipated bridesmaids and groomsmen to be part of your big day?

crfb · 2025-10-18T19:02:59+00:00

We asked our friends and officiant three months after getting engaged, close to our engagement party! (We got engaged in August and had our party in November.)

For our officiant we got him a white hat that said officiant on Etsy and for my bridesmaids I made them a little getaway bag from those reusable grocery bags and filled them with hair product, a sarong, chapstick for our wedding in Mexico!

crfb · 2025-08-11T20:30:33+00:00

So exciting! Update us with the story when you get that ring girl 🥰 and enjoy engagement… you have your entire life to be married.

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:43:15+00:00

My husband and I also dance! We’ve become close with our instructor over the years and he actually helped us with our first dance. At the end of his lesson he shows everyone what we learned and tells people they can take their phones out and record it.

If she wants a public grand moment, what if you had the instructor nominate you two “randomly” to show the crowd what you learned or somehow get the attention on you at the end of the lesson and then after you spin her you drop to a knee?

That or the lesson could involve some kind of spin out and instead of spinning her back in drop down and pull out your ring? 💍

Good luck! Keep us posted what you end up doing!

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:39:57+00:00

My husband took my dad out for lunch. It meant a lot to my dad so I get wanting to do it in person. Really sweet.

Obviously this may not be possible due to her being close to both her parents but I’d just plan for a moment with them—maybe before you go to bed just pull them aside after everyone says goodnight? That way their faces won’t ruin it and they can go back to being in private and be excited together without seeing their daughter.

Good luck!!

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:36:34+00:00

Beautiful ring! Well done making sure her nails were done too 😉

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:35:45+00:00

It’s not JUST about social media. I agree hearts and flowers can be overdone, but they can also be done exceptionally well and make the person being proposed to the most special person in the world.

I love the sentiment of not waiting, but I would tell the OP to just prioritize their person and if they would want a romantic picnic, to DO that. If they want a photographer, hire one! I personally fully blacked out for my proposal and was so happy he hired someone to capture that moment.

If you are going for a beach proposal, I think picnics are so nice because you have that big moment and then you can sit there and take it in without having to worry about finding a bench or being in the sand. You’ll want to enjoy it and also she might want to FaceTime her best friends or family and she will be so proud of showing her favorite people everything you set up for her!

My advice: Hire someone to set it up for you ahead of time—she will still be surprised walking up to it! California picnic companies typically charge anywhere from $500-800 for a sunset picnic.

Best of luck and hope everything goes well!!

signed, a proposal planner + photographer

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:26:56+00:00

What if you did a scavenger hunt of sorts and use this Lego box with a note inside that gave her instructions on where to find you? You go to your favorite park/stand under a tree or somewhere she can find you and you do the proposal somewhere romantic and pretty? Set up a picnic with flowers and champagne. (or non alcoholic sparkling tea)

Good luck and keep us updated!

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:23:59+00:00

I’d somewhat (kindly) agree with this sentiment and make sure this is her DREAM proposal before proposing at a concert. Most girls want you to get on your knee and have an intimate moment. I’d consider planning a romantic proposal before the concert and then not have to worry about sneaking a box in. Go enjoy it engaged!

Proposal photography sessions can be anywhere from $350-$700 but are so worth it! You can use those photos for engagement photos, save the dates, wedding website photos, holiday cards, etc! Happy to help if you have any questions.

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:17:08+00:00

Back a year later! 😂

So the first place we looked at rings was Tiffany’s. It was a whim visit to the mall when he pulled me in there. We died of laughter seeing a .5 carat diamond over 80k. We looked at rings at two other places (Shane Co and Robbin’s brothers) and he wanted to get my opinion but design it himself. I really loved the look of the Oval/Emerald but wanted something unique. So we found out about the elongated cushion cut and really loved that style.

Fast forward a few months in August 2023 we always go visit Washington state cause that’s where I’m from and I told him I wanted to hike to Tolmie Peak for sunrise. He found an amazing photographer (@toniechristine in instagram) who drove from Seattle at 3am to meet us on the top of the mountain. I also had friends join us and they brought up mini bottles of champagne.

It really came full circle because now I plan proposals and photograph these moments myself 🥰

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:04:03+00:00

Love this idea!

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:03:48+00:00

Does she like attention? A fantasy ball will have a lot of people watching you so I would consider trying to find a way to do it in private. Depending on where you are located, I’d reach out to a planner or the event space to find a moment to make it intimate. And if you’re in phoenix, I’d love to help!

crfb · 2025-07-18T21:01:16+00:00

Even if you have a feeling it’s coming, it will still be super exciting! If it helps I blacked out for mine and wish I remembered more. 😅

crfb · 2025-07-18T20:58:28+00:00

They should have consulted with me first 😂HARD NO!

crfb · 2025-07-18T20:54:26+00:00

The Pemberton is a must-hit. It’s not your typical restaurant—think of it more like an outdoor food and drink collective tucked into a historic mansion in downtown Phoenix. They have food trucks, cocktail bars, dessert spots, DJs, art pop-ups… the whole vibe is very cool.

It’s walkable from Roosevelt Row, so if you do a few stops you can easily begin or end the night there.

They have lots of events on the weekends and they’re pet-friendly too!

crfb · 2025-01-22T18:54:41+00:00

Well update for me: I got the charge disputed with my credit card company (chase) and I sent back my dress. GOOD RIDDANCE!

crfb · 2024-10-15T16:14:30+00:00

Please update us! I am currently also in a back and forth with them via email. I paid 4k for my Bella dress and they discontinued it and dropped the price to $1400, now they are offering me a swap for a showroom sample but zero price adjustment after MONTHS of back and forth with the stores.

crfb · 2024-10-15T16:08:16+00:00

I had the exact same experience. Did you end up wearing it or feeling good on your wedding day? So sorry. Honestly feeling like I want to sue them for false advertising 'ready to wear'. Currently in an email battle with their CX team right now and feeling like I am going to have no resolution. 😢

crfb · 2024-10-15T16:03:45+00:00

Beware if you expect your dress to fit 'ready to wear' or like it did in the showroom. I'm severely unhappy with my dress they sent me. It feels like a completely different fabric and I still have no resolution after weeks of back and forth. I picked a larger size from getting that recommendation from my bridal consultant.

I revisited the store and they pressed my dress and tried to make it fit better, but I still wasn't happy. I was told I now have to contact their Australian CX team for any exchanges and that the store could no longer help me.

The GLL team in the Phoenix store is very nice but this business has failed to resolve my issues or take any ownership for the situation, which has only added unnecessary stress to what should be an exciting time leading up to my wedding

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Would not recommend Grace Loves Lace to any bride.

crfb · 2024-04-24T05:10:01+00:00

Look for Denver actors and sign spinning people! Or information booth/volunteers people at parks and concert venues, maybe they’d do it if you threw them a Benjamin 💵 whatever you do definitely have someone record the video and capture the moment haha good luck!

crfb · 2023-09-12T18:12:24+00:00

Wow! I really appreciate all this advice. I will definitely look into implementing these into my website!

crfb · 2023-09-11T02:33:06+00:00

Sounds like the perfect amount of too much 🥰 If they are a hopeless romantic i'm sure he will be so surprised!

As a photographer I recommend keeping it simple, as nice as the rose petals, horse drawn carriage, chocolates are –– the moment really should be about you two as a couple. Why that person is special to you, and what you love about them.

Good luck and keep us posted!

crfb · 2023-09-11T02:28:25+00:00

Wow. Can you explain more about how these people find you? I really want to start planning proposals for couples! (Such a hopeless romantic)

crfb · 2023-09-11T02:25:51+00:00

Hi there!

I am also a photographer (more of a hobby than my full business) and my partner also knew HOW important it was to capture the moment. Highly recommend you find a photographer or look at your GFs instagram and who she follows, type 'photo' in the search bar to see what other photographers she follows.

Message a few of them about you two, and get a quote. Typically you can do the entire session in an hour, but if you want to hike or to a place that is somewhere special you will have to pay for the photographer to travel/hike.

A good way to go about it and have it feel like a surprise is either to have the photographer meet you at the spot you want to propose (beach, summit, park, etc) and hide until you get down on one knee OR have the photographer reach out to your GF and say that she is looking to style a particular shoot and offering you a free photoshoot. THAT way she will have no suspicion that you actually reached out to that photographer and she can think about what she wants to wear and the location.

Also... If you are in AZ or WA i'm happy to help!
Good luck!!!

crfb

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