Bridal Parties

One of the first things most couples do after becoming engaged is to choose their bridal party.

Here are a few tips to help you pick the “right” people.

1) First of all, only consider people who are truly close to. This means no acquaintances, or people you really don’t see very often or socialize with. The people you have standing up with you on your wedding day really should be those who are the nearest and dearest to you.

2) Before asking anyone to be in your bridal party, think about their personal situations. Will they have enough time to devote to your wedding or are their lives so full with other obligations that your wedding will seem like an afterthought to them?

3) Are they financially able to participate in your wedding as a member of the bridal party? Agreeing to stand up for you carries a monetary obligation. Hosting a bridal shower and bachelorette party, and paying for their own wedding day attire and accessories, travel and lodging if they are from out-of-town, and wedding gift adds up.

If you think there may be some factor that may affect someone’s participation in your bridal party, you may want to bring it up (diplomatically, of course) when you ask them to participate, and give them some time to think about it before having to give you an answer. “I know that there are extra costs involved in being in someone’s wedding, but, if possible, I would love for you to be my bridesmaid. Why don’t you think about it and let me know next week?”

4) Are they supportive of your choice of future spouse? Their role is to stand up for you during the ceremony to witness and support your marriage. Any negative feelings, even if unfounded, will be felt throughout your wedding day.

5) It is perfectly acceptable to have a male stand up for you, or a female stand up for your fiancé. In this situation, they would be called Honor Attendants, however “Man of Honor,” “Best Woman,” and “Groomswoman” work too.

6) You don’t have to have “even sides” in your bridal party. For example, it is perfectly ok to have three bridesmaids and four groomsmen. Never ask someone to be in your bridal party just to even things up.