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Should I limit the number of bridesmaids? Or is it good to make room for more?
You may find yourself planning to have your best friends, siblings, and cousins, for example, to be your bridesmaids. But what if there are 5 friends, 2 cousins, and 2 siblings? Having 9, even 12 bridesmaids may seem like quite a lot, but honoring friends and family with standing invitations at your wedding may not be a bad idea.
When it comes down to the final decisions, don't be swayed by others saying “you need more bridesmaids”, or “you have too many!”. Your magic number will be a well-thought out personal opinion, not based on a number that seems right or wrong.
Here are some great reasons for choosing either more or less bridesmaids!
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Less is More! 1-6 Bridesmaids
-Less expensive: Take into consideration the cost and commitment for the bridal party if they are making wedding purchases like dresses and accessories. If you are providing the bridesmaids dresses, this can really add up for you too! Not to mention bridesmaid gifts, and any fun activities you plan on doing together.
-No organization overload: During the ceremony, bridesmaids need to follow instructions about where to stand, how to walk, what to wear, etc. Trying to get everyone on the same page is is even more difficult when there are larger numbers. Simplifying your wedding in any way may help make the “to do” list smaller.
-Small venue, small wedding: If the wedding venue is at a small family church or temple, it may not even be possible to fit the whole wedding party!
-Less drama: While some groups of friends and family members get along 100%, this may not always be the case. Including bridesmaids that won't get along with each other may cause more worry than help.
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Lots of Ladies! 7+ bridesmaids
-No hurt feelings: Everyone is included, and no one feels left out
-Extra help: The wedding party is there for the bride and groom, so having a few extra hands to help out may relieve some wedding preparation stress for everyone.
-Cuts some costs for the girls: Some bridesmaids chip in for table decorations, wedding favors, the bridal shower, or the bachelorette party. When there are more chipping in, there is less cost for each individual.
-The more the merrier: If all 10 of your bridesmaids are very close, it may be a great experience to have them all there – at your parties, as support – there will be more laughter, more shoulders to cry on, and more memories to make!
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It may be quite a process to get to a final count. When in doubt, talk to your family and friends for suggestions!
How many bridesmaids are you having/did you have at your wedding?
GREAT topic! It was not easy for us to determine our wedding party size (we are having 7 gals, 8 gents) and was probably the hardest wedding related decision we've had to make so far.
Posted by: Erin*Sparkle&Hay | July 21, 2010 at 02:38 PM
I had 9 bridesmaids, and I do NOT recommend it! There were so many girls that no one even helped me out in the planning process or in the days leading up to the wedding because I guess they just figured other girls were helping me, when they weren't. I wish I had just done family members, and let my friends have special duties. I think it came down to have 9 because I had to have my sisters, but then if I had this one friend, I had to have another, and another, and another...
Smaller bridal parties are most definitely better! And as a wedding planner now, the weddings that have smaller bridal parties are always more relaxed. Less people to stress the bride and groom out, less people to worry about. :)
Posted by: Lauren @ Every Last Detail | July 25, 2010 at 04:27 PM
Lauren and Erin, That is great insight. Thanks!
Posted by: OK, Now What Bride | July 26, 2010 at 05:56 AM
Some just think that the more then the merrier. I have been in large wedding parties, and small. I think that I prefer small, as in a small backyard wedding as well.
Posted by: Rick the Wedding Band Guy | August 02, 2010 at 01:00 PM
This post is very reassuring! I'm having 9 bridesmaids--my 6 childhood best friends, my sister, my fiance's sister, and a good friend from high school. I have never had doubts about the large number, but I have certainly had comments from other people. I say the more the merrier. :-)
Posted by: Brenda | February 15, 2011 at 07:38 PM
I definitely had to go with only 4 bridesmaids. Drama would've occurred if I opened up my invite to any other girls from my other circles of my life. If I had my one cousin, I would've had to have all four of them. 8 bridesmaids would have been too many for me because I always feel like I got to be with everyone equally since they all made such an effort to be with me that day! A smaller number is best for the people pleaser like me! lol
Posted by: Melina | February 28, 2011 at 12:14 PM
Seems to be a difficult decision, what's the magic number?! These are all amazing comments, thanks for sharing, all!
Posted by: OK, Now What Bride | February 28, 2011 at 12:46 PM
I have got ten bridesmaids! This post made me feel alot happier. I have been worrying so much about looking tacky and stupid but my bridesmaids were all friends from primary school so it was either all or none.
I am still worrying about it. Is there anyone who had ten who found it OK?
My fiance is only having 5 groomsmen so not too many there.
Posted by: Liv | April 19, 2011 at 05:57 PM
Hi Liv! I have actually heard from several brides that had 8-10 bridesmaids at their weddings. They LOVED it! They said it was so much fun and wouldn't have it any other way. If you guys are close friends and get along really well, I think it would be a great experience. (Like a mini party every where you go, right?) Let me know how it's going!
Posted by: OK, Now What Bride | April 20, 2011 at 05:54 AM