Everything You Should Ask on Your Bridesmaid Questionnaire—And Why You Should Send One

You can never overstate the importance of being organized while planning your big day, and one way to stay on top of the many details for everyone involved, including your wedding party, is by creating a bridesmaid questionnaire. This gives brides the feedback they need to account for the whole group, while also accommodating their friends' and family's needs. “Beyond being an effective way to gather information, a questionnaire allows a bride to build a more personalized experience and engage her bridesmaids early on in the process,” says Alicia Mae, the founder and principal planner at ILÈ Events.

Some of the information you'll be asking for on your bridesmaid questionnaire may be personal in nature, such as a dress size or how much someone can reasonable contribute. “That's why it’s important to reassure your bridesmaids that you plan on keeping their personal information confidential,” says Diane Gottsman, the founder of the Protocol School of Texas.

Ahead, wedding experts share their advice on how to create the ultimate bridesmaid questionnaire, from why you should absolutely send one and exactly how to do so to the questions you need to ask and how to structure them into a template. 

What Is a Bridesmaid Questionnaire? 

“A bridesmaid questionnaire is designed to gather important information from the bridal party to help plan and organize various aspects of the wedding,” says Monica Lewis, the CEO of the Monica Lewis School of Etiquette. “These questions cover details such as budget, fashion preferences, availability, dietary restrictions, skills that can assist with the wedding, and preferred communication methods.”

They're also designed to be fun and engaging—and allow for even more fun to follow. “Think of it as a survey, one that allows a bride to gather key information for all the pre-wedding and wedding day celebrations,” notes Stephanie Miller, a wedding events specialist at the Wailea Beach Resort.

Why You Should Send a Bridesmaid Questionnaire

Clear communication between the bride and her wedding party ensures a smooth, organized planning process and a more enjoyable experience for everyone. Providing a bridesmaid questionnaire can identify each bridesmaid's preferences, strengths, and limitations. It will also go a long way with your best friends, who will appreciate the fact that you're cognizant of their schedules and wallets. "It also helps establish expectations and shows that the bride respects her bridesmaids’ needs and limitations,” adds Mariah Grumet, the author of What Do I Do? Every Wedding Etiquette Question Answered.

When to Send a Bridesmaid Questionnaire

Ideally, your bridesmaid questionnaire should be distributed shortly after you ask someone to be in your wedding party. Doing so early on in the planning process gives your attendants enough time to provide their input, allows you, the bride, to consider their responses when making decisions, and helps in coordinating various aspects of the wedding.

Miller recommends waiting no more than a month after your bridesmaids have accepted their role—and Lewis suggests scheduling a follow-up conversation after receiving the completed questionnaires. “At this time, you can discuss their responses, address any concerns, and reaffirm your appreciation for their role in your wedding,” she notes.

How to Send a Bridesmaid Questionnaire

You have a few options. “It all depends on a bride’s preferred mode of communication, but no matter how the questionnaire is presented, it’s important to provide clear instructions on how to respond,” says Lewis. “You’ll also need to set a deadline and follow up with any bridesmaids who may need a reminder.” Bridesmaid questionnaire delivery methods may include:

• An online survey tool: Google Forms, Airtable, or SurveyMonkey allow you to create a digital questionnaire that can be shared via email or link. The bride will have the option of downloading them into a spreadsheet; and with SurveyMonkey specifically, a bride can also conduct a poll or get a group opinion. All three platforms allow the responses to only be seen by the creator, so bridesmaids can feel comfortable sharing private information.
• Email: Sending the questionnaire via email is a convenient and efficient way to reach your bridesmaids all at once (and cuts out the learning curve that might be associated with using another platform). You can attach the questionnaire as a document or include it in the body of the email.
• Messaging apps: If your bridal party has a group chat or messaging thread, you can share the questionnaire in the chat—although this is best reserved for communicating about the questionnaire, not for actual questions and responses.
• A printed copy: You can print out physical copies of the questionnaire and distribute them to your bridesmaids in person or by mail. If by mail, be sure to provide a self-addressed stamped envelope and a clear deadline.

How to Use the Information on Your Bridesmaid Questionnaire

If you're going to ask your group to spend time on a questionnaire, you should take their responses to heart when planning your big day. “All of the responses should be taken into consideration when moving forward with planning and serve as a guide when considering things like bachelorette locations, music for special entrances, gauging travel distances, organizing activities, and determining the budget for dresses, makeup, and hair services,” says Miller. 

Adds Ahmed Elkaswani, director of events at W South Beach, “Brides can use this opportunity to define the wedding tone, determine preferences, understand responsibilities, and gather and generate ideas for everything wedding-related.”

Bridesmaid Questionnaire: 42 Questions to Ask and Example Template

“Start off by asking your bridesmaids for their preferred name and contact method regarding wedding-related matters like group chat, text, or email,” says Mae, who reminds brides their goal is to make the survey as detailed as possible without overwhelming the wedding party. “Don’t include questions that are irrelevant to the wedding process,” she says. Consider ending the questionnaire with a query and suggestion box, adds Lewis.  

Ahead, we poled our experts to create the ideal questionnaire template, which includes the questions to ask and themed sections that streamline the information.

Scheduling and Accommodations Questions 

1. Are there any personal or professional conflicts or commitments that may affect your availability? Please provide dates and times.
2. Are there any pre- or post-wedding events you know you won’t be able to attend? 
3. Will you be arriving a few days early or staying a few days after the festivities? 
4. Will you be in need of hotel accommodations? Transportation to/from the train or airport?

General Budget Questions

1. How much are you willing to spend on a bridesmaid’s dress?
2. Are you able or willing to pay for hair and makeup services the day of the wedding?
3. What is your spending limit for the bachelorette celebrations?
4. How much can you contribute financially to the bridal shower? Please share your (honest) total budget.

Fashion Questions

1. What is your dress size? Please list bust, waist, and hip measurements.
2. Do you have a certain dress style that works best with your body type? Do you have any dress restrictions? 
3. What colors look best on you?  Which do you dislike?
4. Do you prefer a certain hem length?
5. What is your shoe size? 
6. What style/size heel do you prefer? 
7. Are you comfortable buying a dress off the rack as opposed to a traditional bridesmaid’s dress? 
8. Do you prefer gold or silver jewelry?
9. Do you prefer PJs or bathrobes while getting ready for the wedding? What is your size for each? 
10. Would you like to be included in the wedding dress shopping or fittings? 

Beauty Questions

1. Do you want professional hair and makeup on the wedding day? Would you prefer to do your own?
2. How do you plan on wearing your hair? Are you more comfortable with an up or down style?
3. What kind of makeup look do you like?
4. Would you be open to getting your nails done with the bridal party prior to the wedding? 
5. What colors do you like to wear on your nails?

Wedding Planning Questions

1. What specific roles or responsibilities are you interested in taking on during the wedding planning process?
2. Do you possess any specific talents that could be helpful during the wedding planning process (like crafting skills, event planning, or digital design)?
3. Are there any pre-wedding festivities or events you’d like to suggest or contribute ideas to?
4. Are there any specific tasks or roles you would like to avoid?
5. Will you be able to help with any set-up?

Bachelorette Party Questions

1. What are your preferences for the bachelorette party (spa day, night out, weekend getaway)?
2. If a getaway, are there any destinations you're excited about?
3. If a getaway, would you rather a stay in a hotel or a house rental?     
4. Do you prefer to have your own room or share with someone else? If sharing, who would you like to bunk with?                                                         
5. How many days can you take off from work and family life to attend the bachelorette party? What is your ideal length of a bachelorette trip?
6. Are there any places you’re not willing to travel to?
7. What is your favorite food? Snack? Cocktail? Coffee order?
8. Do you have any dietary preferences or allergies?

Personal Questions

1. Is there a specific song you’d like played at the wedding?
2. Are you comfortable making a speech at the rehearsal dinner, welcome party, or reception?
3. What is your favorite memory of us together?

Support and Suggestion Questions

1. Are there any resources or tools you need to feel more prepared and engaged in your role as a bridesmaid? 
2. How can I best support you throughout this process to ensure you're comfortable and enjoying the experience? 
3. Is there anything you’d like to discuss or add to this questionnaire?