You're engaged, and it's time to start planning your big day! You may have already envisioned what your wedding will look like — your dress, the colors, the flowers, the cake, the setting, and, more importantly, your wedding party. These are the people closest to you, the ones that will help you through planning, be by your side as you vow to love your partner from this day forward, and be a constant support throughout your marriage.
If your list of those closest to you is lengthy, you might not know how to include everyone in your wedding. Don’t worry, there are many important wedding party roles aside from bridesmaids and groomsmen to choose from. Here are five tips to help you decide who to include and what role they will play.
Put Thought into Who You Choose
We know you're excited to get to planning, and like we said, you may have already envisioned who will be by your side on the big day, but it's important to take some time to think it over.
There will likely be obvious choices such as sisters and brothers, but beyond that, it's up to you. This is where it can get tricky. Do you choose your close cousins, your lifelong friend you haven't seen in a while, or your college roommate you still see often?
Determine the Size of Your Party
You might be wondering how many bridesmaids and groomsmen you can have. The average wedding has four on each side, but formal ceremonies tend to have larger bridal parties. So, how do you determine your number? There are a few things you should consider.
Try to keep the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen proportional to how many guests you plan to invite. So, if you only invite 50 guests, four people total is a good number. But, if you’re planning a wedding with more than 150 guests, you can have up to 12 people total. Of course, if you only want a maid of honor and best man or 19 total people, go for it! It's your day!
You don’t need to have the same number of groomsmen as bridesmaids. Some brides are concerned an asymmetrical wedding party will throw off the procession, but there are several ways to accommodate an odd number of people. One groomsman could walk with two bridesmaids, you could have each member of the wedding party walk down the aisle by themselves, or the extra person could walk with your ring bearer and flower girl.
Pick a Party with A-Team Attributes
When considering close friends, think about how long you’ve known them. Ask yourself if you'll be close friends in five years. And, don’t feel pressured to include someone just because you were a bridesmaid in their wedding.
You'll want the best of the best in your wedding, so it’s a good idea to identify your expectations ahead of time. Is it enough for them to wear what you choose and show up to support you on the big day? Or is it important that they are available for the pre-wedding events? If it’s the latter, you'll want to choose wedding party members that are reliable and supportive because you may need to call on them before and during your big day.
If you’re still struggling with your decision, think about each of their personalities and how they'll mesh with other members of your wedding party. A wedding party that gets along well means you'll have a fun, drama-free day.
Remember, it’s your big day. The people you select are there to support you and make sure your wedding goes smoothly, but, ultimately, the day is about you and your fiance.
Photo Courtesy of: Narrate Studios
