How to Choose Your Bridal Party
With your date set and your budget determined you’re ready to begin choosing your bridal party. By selecting members of the bridal party now, you keep close friends and family from wondering what their role in your wedding will be. Start making these decisions by putting together a list of close friends and family that are responsible, reasonable (no need for drama), and fun. Having the right people in your corner will ensure that things run smoothly and that you have a great time along the way and during your Big Day.
Here are some flexible guidelines to get your started:
Size: generally it is advised to have one bridesmaid and one groomsman for every 35 to 50 guests. This is just a guideline. You can certainly have more, less, two MOHs, etc. Just remember that since you’ll have to cover things such as bouquets/boutonnières and attendant gifts you’ll want to keep in mind that more attendants will impact your budget and may simply result more people to please and coordinate. Close friends and family that do not make the list can be involved in the wedding throughout the planning process or with a responsibility the day (ex. Ceremony Ushers).
Invites: the basic rule is that family trumps friends. A sister should be chosen as Maid/Maiden of Honor over a best friend where relevant. A corresponding guideline applies to choosing the Best Man. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen are selected from close friends and sisters/brothers-in-laws. Keep in mind that etiquette does not dictate that you must invite someone to be an attendant just because you were in their wedding. Also remember that in modern weddings today it is not uncommon for a bridesmaid to be a guy or “bridesman” and a groomsman to be a gal or “groomswoman”.
Additional information and advice on this topic can be found at:
The Knot: Bridesmaids: How to Choose Your Crew
eHow: How to Choose Your Bridal Party
Real Simple: Wedding Planning: Choosing Your Wedding Party
Real Simple: Wedding Party: 10 Common Questions, Answered
Martha Stewart: Choosing Wedding Attendants
Here are some flexible guidelines to get your started:
Size: generally it is advised to have one bridesmaid and one groomsman for every 35 to 50 guests. This is just a guideline. You can certainly have more, less, two MOHs, etc. Just remember that since you’ll have to cover things such as bouquets/boutonnières and attendant gifts you’ll want to keep in mind that more attendants will impact your budget and may simply result more people to please and coordinate. Close friends and family that do not make the list can be involved in the wedding throughout the planning process or with a responsibility the day (ex. Ceremony Ushers).
Invites: the basic rule is that family trumps friends. A sister should be chosen as Maid/Maiden of Honor over a best friend where relevant. A corresponding guideline applies to choosing the Best Man. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen are selected from close friends and sisters/brothers-in-laws. Keep in mind that etiquette does not dictate that you must invite someone to be an attendant just because you were in their wedding. Also remember that in modern weddings today it is not uncommon for a bridesmaid to be a guy or “bridesman” and a groomsman to be a gal or “groomswoman”.
Additional information and advice on this topic can be found at:
The Knot: Bridesmaids: How to Choose Your Crew
eHow: How to Choose Your Bridal Party
Real Simple: Wedding Planning: Choosing Your Wedding Party
Real Simple: Wedding Party: 10 Common Questions, Answered
Martha Stewart: Choosing Wedding Attendants
posted by The Last Bridesmaid at
5:09 PM
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