Having the right people around you on your wedding day helps everything go to plan. But how do you choose your bridesmaids and groomsmen? We’ve got a few tips to help you decide.
Who To Ask
When it comes to choosing your bridesmaids and groomsmen, family is usually the first place to look. Brothers and sisters usually make up a large portion of the wedding party. Depending on how close you are to your extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews also come into the picture.
Next, look to your friends. If there’s someone you can’t imagine walking down the aisle without, make sure you include them in your plans. However, don’t feel that you have to ask someone to be part of your wedding party just because you were in theirs. Every wedding and every family is different, so there isn’t always room to ask everyone. Good friends will understand.
Feelings
The next thing to take into account is feelings. Not just yours, but others too. If excluding your siblings from your wedding party would upset your parents, make sure they have a role. Similarly, if you have a close knit friend group think about where your cut off point is. Having a huge wedding party isn’t always practical, but choosing one person over another can cause tensions. Sticking to just family is a simple way to avoid any upset in friendship groups.
Budget
Having a large wedding party can be expensive. From dresses and suits, to gifts and even additional meals at the wedding breakfast, it all adds up. Make sure that you have a budget and stick to it.
If your bridesmaids fall in love with an over-budget dress, or if your groomsmen would like a higher priced cufflink, then make sure they’re aware that they’ll have to foot the additional cost. Being clear about this from the start makes it clear what is expected of them, and can stop any disagreements or bad feelings later on.
Reliability
Your wedding party has to be reliable. There will be appointments in the lead up to the day, as well as the day itself. The last thing you need on the morning of your wedding is to be concerned a member of your wedding party will be late.
Most weddings are planned years in advance so make sure that the people you ask to be part of your wedding party will still be in your life a few years from now. Choosing your bridesmaids and groomsmen doesn’t have to happen as soon as you have a wedding date. Sometimes waiting until closer to your day is the best thing to do.
The most important thing to remember is that your wedding party should make your day easier and more relaxed. Make sure that the people you have around you are the people who will enhance your day.
Next we’re looking at 6 Ways To Ask “Will You Be My Bridesmaid?”