How to Choose Your Bridesmaids

By offthechartentertainemnt
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30 Aug, 2017
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Be sure to have supportive friends in your bridal party. If you’re not sure who to ask to be your maid of honor and bridesmaids, here are some pointers.

The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived, and you’re thrilled to be sporting a diamond on your left ring finger! Once you say “yes” and kiss your sweetie, the first thing you want to do is tell all of your family and friends. While this is great, one thing you shouldn’t do the moment you get engaged is tell all of your friends that they can be bridesmaids. Choosing your bridal attendants is something that requires some thought. Of course, the exception to this is if you have had the same close-knit small circle of friends for a decade and you’ve all made a pact to be in each other’s bridal parties. For most of us, though, we need to think about who we really want standing by our sides on one of the most important days of our lives!

If you’re not sure who you want to ask to be your maid of honor and bridesmaids, here are some pointers:

Talk to your fiance to come up with a number of attendants.
There’s no law that says that you have to have the same number of attendants that he does, but most couples choose to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. When making this decision, consider the number of siblings and close friends each of you has. Consider the size of the venue; if your church or banquet hall is on the small side, you won’t want a dozen bridesmaids crowding you out!

Think about family obligations.
Yes, this is your special day, but chances are if you leave your sister out and she has always dreamed of being your maid of honor, it’s going to impact your relationship, and not in a good way. Also, consider extending the invitation to your soon-to-be sisters-in-law, too. You don’t have to include family, but think of the long-term ramifications if you leave them out. If they (or your new mother-in-law!) are likely to hold a grudge for the next ten years, then you might choose having them as the better option.

Consider your friends’ reliability.
Particularly if you’re having a small bridal party, you’re going to want friends who are going to show up and support you! If you have a friend who, though she’s sweet and well-intentioned, would forget her own wedding if not reminded, then you might consider including her as a guest instead of an attendant. Also, be prepared for particularly busy people or new moms to say no thanks. If your best friend is due to have a baby within a month or two of your wedding, she will have a lot on her plate and might not be able to make the commitment. Another consideration is the financial impact that being a bridesmaid has; while you shouldn’t choose your bridesmaids based on their bank accounts, if you want to ask a friend who has been job-searching for six months, you may want to offer to cover some of the expenses.

Don’t be afraid to buck tradition. No one says that all of your attendants have to be female; if you have a guy friend or a brother whom you’d love to have standing by your side on your wedding day, then go ahead and ask him! The same goes for your groom, of course; if he wants a close female friend or relative to stand for him, then tell him to feel free! Of course, another option is that your brother serve as a groomsman and his favorite gal-pal from his high school days serves as one of your bridesmaids. Come up with a solution that works for both of you!

Remember, it’s your special day, so be sure to have supportive friends and family in your bridal party. Your bridesmaids will be planning your shower and may whisk you away for a bachelorette party, and you’ll want to look back on these times with joy in the years to come.