How To Choose Your Bridesmaids

Choosing your bridesmaids is one of the most exciting parts in the beginning stages of wedding planning but it can also be one of the hardest decisions! How many bridesmaids do you want and how do you avoid hurting anyone’s feelings? Who you choose, will be in your wedding photos, help you make decisions and also support you in this next stage of life. Before you pop the questions to your girlfriends, here are a few things to consider that will hopefully make the process a little easier for you.

Think Twice– If you are at all hesitant or on the fence about giving someone the title of bridesmaid, you need to follow your gut. Think of it as a long term decision. Will your kids consider them an “auntie” and still be there for your birthday 30 years from now? Consider their budget and schedule. If they are having a major life even happen around the same time as your wedding, maybe it isn’t the right time.

Returning The Favor– Just because your friend asked you to be in her wedding doesn’t mean you have to return the favor. Think of it this way, if she wouldn’t have asked you to be in her wedding would you still ask her to be in yours? If that is the main reason you are considering asking her to be in your wedding, then it may not a good enough reason.

Numbers Game– Whether you have 20 guests or 200 guests the number of bridesmaid can be whatever you choose. 7, 4 or even none. They are all acceptable and it shouldn’t matter what your guests think of it. With that said, the more bridesmaids you have the more time you need for hair and make up to get done the day of and more bouquets and dresses to purchase. This day is all about you and your future husband, so do it the way that works best for you two.

Who Can Be A Bridesmaid?– If your mom is your best friend or your grandmother is someone you look up to the most then you can definitely make them a bridesmaid! A bridesmaid is simply someone who matters the most to you and doesn’t have to be limited to just your sisters and girl friends!

Choose You M.O.H. Carefully– This is the most crucial role to give for your wedding day. This is the girl that will drop anything and everything to run a last minute errand and help you get into your wedding dress. Are they loyal and willing to do anything for you? It’s easy to jump to your sister or friend of 20 years but if we are honest, maybe someone else is a better fit.

Hard Conversation– Before asking your girls to be in your wedding consider the girls you will not be asking. There might be a face to face conversation that needs to happen. If they find out through a mutual friend or social media that you chose your bridesmaids and they didn’t know anything about it, this could cause some friction, drama and hurt feelings. The decision will be much easier for her to receive and respect if they hear is directly from you. Keep your explanation short and to the point. Don’t make excuses and be sensitive when speaking to her.

Get Them Involved– There are many ways to get your friends involved in you wedding without them being a bridesmaid. You can always invite them to the rehearsal dinner, ask them to come to a dress fitting or acknowledge them in a toast. There are so many ways to include your friends in you wedding.