The ManicaPost
WHILE the two of you are the most important people at the wedding, half the fun is being able to celebrate and anticipate your big day with your closest friends by your side serving as bridesmaids and groomsmen.
While you might think you can just grab your friends, assign them a bridal title, and call it a day, there are a few other things you’ll want to consider before you assemble your wedding party.
Start with siblings
Including your siblings is the perfect way to start choosing your bridesmaids and groomsen.
If they are much younger, you may prefer to have them serve as ushers or junior attendants, but if they are close to you r age definitely give them full-brown honour.
And there is nothing stopping a bride from making her brother a bridesman or a groomsman.
Emphasise reliability
While you may not need your bridesmaids or groomsmen to participate too much in planning your wedding, there will be moments when you’ll need to know you can count on them.
If your friend almost never calls you back, or constantly shows up late when you have plans, they may not be the right person for the job, especially with bridesmaid dress order deadlines and tight timelines the day of your wedding.
Instead, lean toward friends who you know will answer your emails, show up when you need them to (or a few minutes early), and probably be more prepared than you (hello, bride brain).
Consider personalities
Before you send out those “be my bridesmaid?” gifts, think about how your wedding party will get along.
That doesn’t mean everyone has to be the best of friends, but if one person on your list has a stronger — or even abrasive — personality and tends to rub people the wrong way, that’s potential drama you’ll want to avoid if you can.
Aim for a group of bridesmaids and groomsmen who are friendly, cordial, and can transition easily between groups to quickly cross “fights between friends” off of the list of things to worry about on your wedding day.
Be mindful of budget
We all know being a bridesmaid or groomsman is expensive.
Even if you’re paying for their accommodations or chipping in for the suit or dress, between flights, gifts, and the bachelor and bachelorette parties, the bill can add up.
If you know a friend is in a tough spot financially, call them up to talk it over before making the official ask.
Let them know you’d love to include them, but also have a few alternative ways for them to be involved if joining the wedding party might be too expensive.
Close friends make fantastic readers, give great toasts at the rehearsal dinner, and could also hand out programs or serve as ushers at the ceremony.
Think about feelings
Sometimes, having fewer bridesmaids or groomsmen is the easiest way to make sure no one’s feelings are hurt.
If your choice is between having just your sister and your childhood BFF stand beside you or expanding into two or three friend groups and ten or more ‘maids, the smaller group could save you a lot of stress in deciding who does and doesn’t make the cut.
On the other hand, if you’re committed to the idea of a huge wedding party, and there’s one friend on the fringe.
While your bridal party should be all about surrounding yourself with the people you’re closest to and those who will support you as you get ready to head down the aisle, it can also feel a lot like a game of political tug-of-war.
You have to weigh what will make you feel best on your wedding day next to the risk of hurting feelings, causing rifts, or creating unnecessary drama.ou might be better off including one more than leaving them out.
Your partner’s sister
Hear us out on this one.
Of course, including your future sister-in-law in your bridal party is super sweet and a great way to build your relationship.
But you don’t absolutely have to make her a ‘maid.
You could include her in other ways (like asking her to do a reading during the ceremony or inviting her to get her hair and makeup done with you), but just because she’s your partner’s sister doesn’t mean she must to stand next to you at the ceremony.
Spouses
Just because they’re married to a VIP doesn’t mean they’re automatically on the list.
Whether she’s married to your brother or the best man, all that guarantees her is an invite not a promotion to bridesmaid status.
Only include her if you actually want her up there with you. — Online.
