Picking your bridesmaids can be one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning, but also one of the trickiest. Your wedding party should be made up of the people you trust to support you, celebrate with you, and make this season even more meaningful. If you follow this guide to picking the right people to stand by your side throughout the process, you will have no regrets. Remember – your wedding is about you and your partner, and it’s the first step to creating a life filled with the right people.
Budget
Before deciding how many bridesmaids to have, think through the expenses that come with your wedding party. It’s important to understand your budget because it will guide you to the number of bridesmaids you can afford. Will you be covering dresses, bouquets, hair and makeup, or bridesmaid gifts? What about bridesmaid proposal suites, and are you going to be covering your bachelorette trip? The larger your wedding party, the more those costs can add up. These can all be taken care of by your bridesmaids if you don’t have room in your own budget, but keep in mind that they have budgets too!
Wedding Size
Talk to your fiancé about how you both envision the big day. If you want more intimate, choose your closest friends. If you want a larger celebration, it may leave room for more of your favorite people by your side. But don’t feel like your bridal party has to match your guest count. Invite who you love and who you hope to cherish these special memories with for the rest of your life.
Family
Family may feel like the natural place to start when picking your bridesmaids. Think about the family members you’re genuinely closest to, whether that’s a sister, brother, or cousin. Then, consider your fiancé’s family. Do you have a close connection with her and spend quality time together often? If yes, they would be the perfect addition to your bridesmaid list.
Friends
Best friends: these people are just as important as your family. From childhood best friends to college roommates and friendships formed later in life, some of your closest relationships may come from completely different seasons. When choosing which friends to ask to be bridesmaids, think less about how long you’ve known someone and more about the relationship you share today. A best friend is someone who you go to for all of life’s problems, who you match with emotionally, and who loves to have fun with you. Pick her for the next bridesmaid on your list.
Now comes your friend group. You might have a larger friend group, or several different circles of friends; don’t feel obligated to include everyone. How often do you talk to them or hang out with them? If you find yourself spending a lot of alone time with this person, chatting on a regular basis, and vibing well together, consider asking them.
Finally, if there is someone who you aren’t particularly close with but they are easy to get along with and you know that they will bring excitement to all of your wedding events, consider adding them in if you have room! Remember that it all comes down to who you want to see standing by your side on your big day. It’s time to be selfish!
Work Friends
We all have that one work friend who seems like a sister. If you’ve built a genuine friendship outside of work and can picture that relationship continuing even if one of you changes jobs, they may be an easy addition to your bridesmaid list. But keep in mind – simply because you spend a lot of time with someone, you shouldn’t feel obligated to include them. Not every friendship needs a place in the wedding party, and leaving a work friend off your bridesmaid list doesn’t make the relationship any less important. After all, the people who support you through this season don’t all have to be standing beside you at the altar.
