Tips on Picking Bridesmaids for your Big Day

Greetings All,

So you’ve been proposed to, told everyone you can think of about the news, and your beginning to think about the elements of your wedding that will make that day one of a kind for your, suddenly you run into a dilemma, who will be the lucky ladies featured in your wedding with you?

Your dedicated, chosen few that will ride into the battle of wedding planning and preparation with you, your bridesmaids.

Here are some things to consider when choosing those lucky ladies to share your day with:

1.       How Many Bridesmaids do you want at your Wedding?

This can be determined by basing the number on how many groomsmen there will be or how big the overall wedding will be.  Typically there is one bridesmaid for every 50 guests that are invited, but follow your heart, sometimes less is more.

2.       How close are you with your sister or sister in law?

If you haven’t already chosen one of these ladies to be your matron of honor, maybe it is a good idea to consider them for the role of a bridesmaid.  If you are not on good terms with your sister or sister in law though, don’t feel pressured to include them in your bridal party.  There are many other roles in the wedding that they can assist with (that will be explained later) which will in turn make you and her happier during this special time.

3.     

           Are you choosing your bridesmaid based on the fact that you were previously in her wedding?

This is one of the biggest mistakes that most brides make when choosing their bridal party.  People grow and change throughout the years, so if you are choosing to have one of your longtime friends in your wedding who hasn’t spoken to you in years just based on the fact that she included you in her wedding when you were besties straight out of high school think again.  This is one of the most important day of your life, and not the time to feel obligated to choose someone based on previously being in her wedding. 

4.       What roles do you expect your brides to play?

Are you the type of bride that just needs an ear to listen, a body to where a dress, and a group of the closest women (or men) to be around to celebrate the big events before the wedding (i.e. the bachelorette party, bridal shower, etc.).  Or are you the type of bride that is a do-it-yourselfer who looks for assistance from her bridesmaids with various tasks like finding the perfect wedding dress, creating wedding favors and centerpieces, and sending wedding invitations.  Take these things into consideration before choosing your bridesmaids.  It will make your choice a lot easier if you are honest with yourself about the people you know and what they are realistically willing to do in preparation for your big day.

5.       Do you have more guy friends then women friends?

 

It is completely normal these days to have men in the bridal party.  They are simply called an attendant or a bridesman.  So don’t be afraid to include a man you are close to just because he is a man, friendships see no sexes. 

If after taking all of these things into consideration, you have more choices that you thought you would, think about including some of them in other jobs in the ceremony that will also be useful to your big day.  Things such as handing out programs, preforming a song, reading a poem or scripture, or even seating the arriving guests can all be used when trying to find a way to include all those you love in your special day celebrations.  Whatever you decide is up to you, just make sure that you enjoy the company of the people you pick, after all, most of us only get marred once! :)

For those of you who have already gone through this process, how did you pick your bridesmaids?  What do you consider the most important thing when choosing your bridal party?  Please leave your responses in the comment box below.