Name: Bridesmaid proposals.

Age: Relatively new.

Relative to what? To marriage proposals.

I’m confused. Is it when the groom realises he’s made a terrible mistake, and he really loves one of the bridesmaids? So he pops the question to her, maybe during the actual ceremony (but hopefully before the vows)? Er … nope.

Go on then, enlighten me. What it says on the tin really: asking someone to be your bridesmaid.

What’s with the proposal though, can’t you just ask? It’s a big ask, and a big commitment on the part of the bridesmaid.

Not as big an ask as “Will you spend the rest of your life with me?” Where are these bridesmaid proposals taking place? Well, they’re becoming a bit of a thing on social media …

I knew it! For example, an Instagram post by Darcy McQueeny is causing something of a stir.

What’s Darcy doing? She’s got everything laid out neatly …

Like what? Six pink wheelie suitcases, blankets, pyjamas, bikinis, cosmetics. They’re all customised, monogrammed, embroidered and personalised with the names of the prospective bridesmaids. Plus there are handwritten letters, asking the question. “I hope they say yes,” she says, putting her hands together like a prayer emoji.

That sounds like an expensive proposal. One of the commenters estimates $1,700 for each bundle, or a little over $10,000 for the lot. Although it’s possible that Darcy didn’t fork out for it all.

How does that work then? Well, she’s a content creator with 2.3m followers on TikTok, which means she probably gets stuff sent to her from brands.

We’re not all content creators though. True, and weddings aren’t just pricey for the bride and groom – it costs a lot to be a bridesmaid, too.

Why’s that then? Increasingly extravagant hen dos, travel, spa hotels, dresses, alterations ... One expert told the Washington Post that the average cost of being a bridesmaid was about $3,000.

That’s going to rule out extravagant bridesmaid proposals for average folks then? Not at all. The Brides website says a bridesmaid proposal doesn’t have to be fancy, and has some suggestions for low-key and cheaper ideas for how to do it.

Such as? You could schedule a candle making class.

Nice, but a bit sedate. How about hosting a fake book club?

What, now we’ve discussed the symbolism in the novel, will you be my bridesmaids? Or you could throw a boozy brunch?

Now you’re talking! Done! High fives!

Do say: “Yes! We do!”

Don’t say: “And if you could post about it on social media, that would be even more special.”