You’ve selected your wedding date and location, and now it’s time to choose your bridal party. In theory, this should be a fun and easy task. You get to choose your A Team, your favorite people who will be there to support you every step of the way. However, you may discover it’s a more taxing decision than your originally thought when you realize you simply can’t choose everyone to be part of your big day. So, to help alleviate some of the stress of deciding, we at Bridal Spectacular have a few great tips to make the selection process a little easier.
How Big is Your Wedding?
To begin, try to get a good estimate of how many guests you anticipate having. If you are going to have a large wedding with more than 100 guests, then having a large wedding party is completely fine. However, if your wedding is going to be an intimate affair with only 50 guests, having 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen will be a bit excessive. Do your best to keep your bridal party proportionate to the number of guests attending.
Discuss it With Your Groom
Be sure to talk to your groom about your bridal party before asking anyone. He will have his own set of opinions and beliefs and you want to be sure you are both on the same page before making any decisions. Also, keep in mind that it’s certainly ok to have a different amount of attendants. This will just afford you more creative freedom when it comes to organizing your processional!
What do You Expect From Your Bridesmaids?
How much involvement do you want your bridesmaids to have? Do you want them there every step of the way addressing wedding invites, preparing favors, dress shopping, and attending all of the pre-wedding activities, or do you just want a fun group of friends who will throw you an amazing bachelorette party? Be realistic of what you expect from your bridal party and then choose accordingly. Also, you don’t have to have a bridal party at all. It’s your wedding, so do what’s best for you and your groom!
Be Certain Before You Ask
Most people ask siblings, close relatives, and good friends who are reliable, available, and who will also be courteous hosts. You don’t have to ask friends just because you were a bridesmaid, nor are you required to ask your fiancé’s sister (though it’s a nice way to get to know someone who will be a close part of your life.)
Just be sure to think twice before you ask, because once you do you can’t go back! Remember what you expect of them and then choose friends or family who will be there to truly help you. Think to yourself: Will you still be close to this person in five years? Are you only asking out of obligation? Are you going to have to watch over them instead of them helping you? How will this person fit in with the rest of your bridal party? Are they supportive of your marriage? Making sure that every person in your bridal party is there to support you and also meshes well together is extremely important!
Choose a Responsible Maid of Honor
Choosing your maid of honor and best man may be one of the most challenging tasks. These two individuals have the most responsibility. They have to hold on to your very expensive rings, you may need to rely on them to coordinate the bridesmaids dresses and tuxes, they are in charge of planning the bachelor and bachelorette parties, and of course, they will need to be your emotional rock if you have any pre-wedding meltdowns. Select the person who is the most dependable, even if that may not be your BFF.
Don’t Ask Someone Just Because They Asked You
There is no rule that says you have to ask someone to be in your wedding because they asked you to be in their wedding. Plus, it could be rather awkward to ask your college roomie that you haven’t spoken to in five years just to return the favor.
If someone wants to talk to you about why they aren’t in your wedding, just be honest. Explain that it was a tough decision and you unfortunately had to leave many people out, but you really felt like you should choose the people you feel closest to at this point in your life.
For more wedding planning tips, ideas and inspiration, please visit bridalspectacular.com or follow us on Facebook, twitter and Pinterest. And, be sure to save-the-date to attend our Autumn Bridal Show August 21 and 22 at Cashman Center where you’ll find more great wedding ideas and themes!
Receive $5 off admission when you buy tickets online! Click here and enter promo code: BLOG2015
Author: Deidre Bakker-Riches
