i am hosting a bridal brunch

Aww congrats! I did a similar things for my girls. I hosted at Halloween/pumpkin carving/lunch because it was Oct 28. I made really cute boxes for everyone. It was the first time I had seen them in person since I got engaged so it was really fun. I have known them all from at least 6th grade so it was a no brainer that they would say yes! We had talked about this day since before I met FH.

View Quoted Comment Thanks! I love your idea too. Very creative and cute.

That sounds so nice

Please, before the brunch ( which is a nice idea), ask each of the women privately, in person or over the phone. Explain your plans, date and place. And talk about their expenses for dress, shoes, hair or makeup if they want it professionally done, and any costs of travel, or lodgings. It is not the BM or MOH job to plan or give showers or bachelorette parties. But as your closest friends or family, some may want to do it. It is up to the hostesses giving the party to decide together on the budget, but to be fair to the women, they need to know what you intend for expenses, so they can in their mind add in any costs if they wish to help give a party, before they can make an informed decision to accept or not. . . . Read these boards: a huge number of BM or MOH cannot really afford the time to spend more than wedding day itself plus a few hours to buy their dress, and gifts. And do not find out til after they have accepted that the bride is having a rehearsal and dinner a day or a week before, or expects them to arrive a day or two early and leave 2 days later, or fly to a destination wedding. People need to know they have the date free, for sure. And have both the time and money to do it. It really frustrates and angers Bride's and attendants when they start with different expectations, and can ruin the planning period if people do not know well before they are asked yes or no. They may need to ask family is SO about potential conflicts, too. If you do not want to possibly have 2-3 change the geir minds and drip out, be fair and let them know up front. Do you want to be like some brides I know and surprise people in public, only to have 3-5 turn you down? I have been asked in those situations. It is a lot of pressure to be ready for a meal, get presents, then say no if it is not possible, so some say yes and drop out. But others may say up front, sorry , no way I can do it. Do you want to risk being publicly embarrassed?

View Quoted Comment I don’t disagree with anything you wrote. 7/8 girls told me they better be included in my wedding party and I plan on including them. Like I said, I unofficially asked them already. I am also letting them know up front I will pay for their hair services on the day of and they will be expected to pay for make up. I’m giving them over a years notice. I will also give them an “out” where if money is tight, let me know and I’ll pay for your make up. I will tell them straight up I don’t want finances getting in the way of you standing up in my wedding.

I love that, what a fun idea! I unofficially asked first before formally proposing. I wanted to discuss it privately with each girl to make sure they could afford it & the time commitment was okay. I think it's a super cute idea!

View Quoted Comment If you're requiring they get their makeup professionally done then you should be paying for it.

I did something similar to this except it was a dinner. It was a lot of fun. This is how I decorated it