How To Choose Your Bridesmaids

A lot of thought goes into who should stand by your side on your big day. Family members, future in-laws, childhood friends… the options are endless! And if you included everyone you loved, you’d have your entire guest list in your bridal party. So how do you narrow it down? We’re sharing a few tried and true tips to help you decide.

1. Think about what you want your bridal party to be

Choosing bridesmaids is a deeply personal decision, and it should definitely be given some serious thought. Before you start weeding through your closest confidants, take a moment to envision your day and who you want standing by your side. The people you choose for your bridal party will be your support your throughout your entire planning process and wedding. Think about whether you want to have a large bridal party, or keep it intimate. Do you want to include people from a variety of your friend groups?

2. Pick your must-haves

Most people have a few non-negotiables. Whether it’s your sister, your BFF from college, your soon to be sister-in-law or even your dog, make sure to start with your VIPS. Have your fiance do the same. Establishing your must-have bridesmaids is essential to starting the wedding planning process!

3. Consider your fiancé’s potential wedding party

Now, you don’t HAVE to have equal numbers on each side of your wedding party, although many couples choose to! You need to sit down together and decide whether this is important to you. Start thinking about how you would pair people together to walk down the aisle. It may help you make some decisions once you start to put everything together!

4. Don’t rush it

There is no reason rush this decision! If you’re unsure if you want to include someone, sit on it for a while. Consider pros and cons of adding them to the bridesmaids crew. Think about how the whole wedding party will get along and if it’s a good fit.

5. Don’t choose anyone because you “feel like you should”

This goes for unreliable friends, people who chose to have you in their wedding, or estranged family members. You want your bridal party to be your rock on the wedding day and throughout the entire wedding planning. If someone will add additional stress or unhappiness to the process, leave them out! You can give important people different, less-involved tasks such as reading during the ceremony or helping greet people at the ceremony.

Keep in mind, your wedding party is for you and your spouse. It is entirely up to you who you do or do not invite up to the altar with you. Want to have 12 ladies in your bridal party? Heck yeah! Inviting a few guys to join you on the “brides side?” We don’t judge! Want to skip a bridal party altogether? You do you. We cannot emphasize this enough, just do whatever feels right for you!