How To Choose Bridesmaids
Choosing your bridesmaids is an important step to consider early in your wedding day planning. And sometimes, it can feel like an overwhelming task. You may have had a clear idea of who you imagined standing next to you on your wedding day for some time.
Or you may be agonizing over the possibility of hurt feelings if you don’t include specific people.
One thing’s for sure: choose responsible friends who will complete assigned tasks! Ones that turn up on time can attend all pre-wedding events, including the bridal shower and rehearsal dinner.
How to choose bridesmaids
As many tasks are involved in creating the wedding of your dreams, the right bridesmaids will make this seemingly overwhelming assignment feel like a fun and exciting time. Choosing a potential bridesmaid may come down to making a list. Perhaps your sisters, best friend, childhood friends, or closest family members. Perhaps your future sister in-law if you have a close relationship.
From this list, you will need to choose who you consider to be the right people for the task. Consider each maid’s personality when choosing your final group. This group of ladies will spend some extended time together, so they should get along.
A bridesmaid’s job is to support you at all stages of the wedding planning and during the wedding. The bridesmaids need to be able to help plan and attend all pre-wedding events. Events include choosing dresses, dress fittings, rehearsal dinners, planning your bachelorette party, and helping you get dressed.
There’s also providing emotional support, holding the bouquet during the ceremony, and ensuring you look and feel like a princess on your wedding day.
Remember, the financial aspects of being a bridesmaid may be something you or your bridesmaid need to consider when accepting the request to be a bridesmaid. The costs regarding purchasing the bridesmaid dresses should be transparent, so each person knows their financial responsibilities around accepting this role.
Choosing your maid of honor
Choosing your maid of honor is important, as this person will be your right hand when planning your wedding. The maid of honor is typically assigned to your closest friend. If she’s already married, she would be the matron of honor.
You could also choose to have two maids of honor. This is especially recommended if your closest friend is often unreliable. The second maid of honor can ensure tasks are still completed and your special day goes smoothly.
By choosing to have two maids of honor, you can minimize the stress of planning by delegating jobs to both maids to complete together or individually.
A maid of honor is usually your first point of call when deciding your wedding choices. From your wedding dress, hair, and flower arrangements, she gives emotional support by being a sounding board for all your ideas and concerns. A maid of honor helps you get dressed on the day and assists with your veil and dress train. She’s there to help you stay calm and sort out any last-minute issues that may arise.
It is usually expected that the maid of honor will speak at the wedding reception, telling stories about the couple and wishing them well for their future years together.
Including siblings in your bridal party
Including your siblings in your big day is a great way to start when choosing your bridesmaids.
If you have younger siblings, you may give them the role of junior bridesmaids, flower girls, or ring bearers, or an honorary bridesmaid role.
Duties required of a bridesmaid
- Help the bride with the wedding planning process: Bridesmaids are often asked to help with wedding preparations, such as choosing dresses, arranging flowers, and selecting decorations.
- Attend pre-wedding events: Bridesmaids are expected to attend bridal parties, bachelorette parties and rehearsal dinners. Related reading – The Ultimate List of Naughty Bachelorette Party Games.
- Assist the bride on the wedding day: On the wedding day, bridesmaids are usually responsible for helping the bride get dressed, holding her bouquet during the ceremony, and assisting with any last-minute preparations.
- Walk down the aisle: Bridesmaids typically walk before the bride and may be asked to carry flowers or other decorative items.
- Help with post-wedding tasks: Bridesmaids may be asked to help with post-wedding tasks such as packing decorations, returning rental items, and assisting the bride and groom with other needs.
How many bridesmaids should you have?
The average number of bridesmaids is 4-6 bridesmaids. However, this depends on a few factors. The wedding size, the number of groomsmen your future partner has, and the size of the wedding venue may all play a role in the number you choose. There are also the financial implications of having multiple bridesmaids.
If you expect your bridesmaids to purchase their own dresses, be sure they are all in the financial position to do so. Alternatively, offer options such as choosing a dress they can hire or wear again. An off-the-rack dress option may cut costs too.
An old wedding tradition stated that a groomsman and bridesmaid should exist for every 50 guests present.
You should never feel obliged to ask some friends to be part of your wedding party. You can have fewer bridesmaids or even zero! On the other hand, if you have ten besties and want to add them all, go for it. The number is entirely up to you.
“Bridesmaids” can be men too.
You may of course choose to have a man of honor as part of your wedding party. Play around with gender stereotypes and mix things up from the traditional! Remember, this is your day, and you should do what feels suitable for you and your partner. If your BFF is a man, don’t be afraid to include him in your big day just as you would your female friends.
Choosing bridesmaids without obligation
It’s essential to remember that you don’t need to include someone as a bridesmaid simply because you were one at their wedding. This is a monumental event in your life, and it’s crucial to have your closest friends and family by your side during the ceremony. Don’t feel pressured to reciprocate if it doesn’t feel right.
Maintain honesty while avoiding hard feelings, but remember that you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your choices. What matters most is that your selection feels right to you.
Handling bridesmaid declinations
It’s disappointing when a friend has had to turn down your request to have her as a bridesmaid. Remember, there could be many personal reasons someone may need to decline your request. Financial concerns may be a concern.
Being transparent about the financial requirements around accepting this request is a good idea.
Your planned day may coincide with a prior arrangement they have made or a particular date in their own lives. Please don’t take this rejection to heart; there will usually be a good reason behind it.
How far in advance should I choose my bridesmaids?
Getting engaged can be exciting, and you may be desperate to share this excitement with your closest friends. Take your time choosing who you would like to be by your side. It’s a big decision!
If you have time, please give yourself a month to consider who you want as part of the bridal party. If timing permits to ask someone to be your bridesmaid 6-9 months before the wedding.
Ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids
There are many exciting ways you can pop the bridesmaid question. We have a list of 15 creative bridesmaid proposal ideas to check out.
- Have a wine night with the ladies you plan to ask
- Meet for brunch or lunch
- Present your potential maids with bridesmaid robes
- Say it with a T-shirt
- Organize a mani-pedi afternoon
- Host a games night, pop the question during Pictionary or scrabble
- Register you all for salsa lessons
- Say it with fortune cookies
Incorporating friends in alternative roles
Deciding who to include in your bridal party can be challenging, and inevitably, some friends might feel left out. Consider other ways to involve these close friends in your special day to make them feel valued and included.
If someone has musical talent, you could invite them to perform a song or play an instrument during the ceremony or as you walk down the aisle. Alternatively, they could recite a poem, do a reading, act as the Master of Ceremonies, or give a speech. By assigning them meaningful roles, you can ensure they feel like an integral part of your celebration.
