06 August 2020

How to choose bridesmaids for your big day

By Ellie

Your wedding will be an incredible day which you’ll remember forever. Planning your special day requires a lot of decision making which can feel a little daunting. Which flower colour to choose? What appetisers to offer? If you’re reading this blog, chances are you are wondering how to choose bridesmaids. Your bridesmaids are the loved ones who are going to be standing up with you on the big day and watching you walk down the aisle. Don’t worry, we are here to give you some food for thought and pointers to help the process run smoothly!

How to pick your bridesmaids

There are a few factors to weigh up when considering how to choose bridesmaids before you even start thinking of the guests. Firstly, how many people are attending your wedding? This will influence the number of bridesmaids you want to invite. If it’s a larger affair, consider having around 5, however, if you’re having a small group of friends for an adorable garden wedding, 2 to 3 would work well. How many bridesmaids and groomsmen will your other half be inviting? Typically, it’s good to keep it even. Once you have both decided on a number, you can start considering specifics of who you will be asking.

Choose from the heart

So many people end up choosing bridesmaids based on who they think they should ask. Don’t feel pressured to invite someone based on the fact they are a family member, such as sister in laws or friend of the family, because this could end up with you feeling resentful. It also means you miss out on having someone you genuinely want as your bridesmaid. If someone asked you to be part of the bride squad at their own wedding, that’s fantastic and so thoughtful, but don’t let it define your own judgments. These sort of decisions should never be transactional.

Take your time

Remember you don’t need to rush this process, there is plenty of time to consider who will be the best fits for the bridesmaid role. It might be worthwhile to wait and see who you feel the strongest connections with once you’ve started planning the wedding and the decision might come easy. Always remember once someone has been asked, you cannot change your mind unless you want to risk losing a friendship, so don’t allow over-excitement to let you get ahead of yourself.

Remember reliability

Choosing the most fun and exciting friend you know is great, but remember that bridesmaids share some of the responsibility on the big day and the lead-up. You’re going to need a group you can depend on both physically and emotionally. Planning and executing a wedding can be stressful. You need loved ones around you who know how to calm you down and ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

How to pick your maid of honor

The selection of your chief bridesmaid, maid of honor, or man of honor can be a little trickier. You need to select someone to take on additional responsibilities in terms of wedding and bachelorette party planning. If you have a friend who is like a sibling who you’ve known your whole life, the choice might be easy. However, if you have a tight circle of close friends and family members, you might have a more difficult time deciding. The key thing to remember here is that this is your wedding and you need to make yourself happy. Don’t choose someone based on anyone else’s opinion. Ultimately, you’ll need to choose someone who will be the most relaxed, supportive individual in the lead up to your wedding. Choose someone who you know you can turn to when you’re feeling overwhelmed and who can pick you up when you’re down. Of course, if you don’t feel the need to have one, don’t feel pressured to do so. This is your big day and you need to choose what feels right to you.

How to pick out bridesmaid dresses

Once you have decided on the all-important list of bridesmaids, the next decision is what will they wear. Never feel pressured to spend a fortune on outfits. Even your own wedding dress doesn’t need to break the bank. You can find beautiful dresses second hand or as samples at a fraction of the price. Stores such as Missguided now stock gorgeous dresses which allow you to kit out your bride squad and have money left over for the honeymoon. Have a chat with your bridesmaids and see the general consensus of style, and compare it to your own. Although it’s your wedding, it’s important to ensure they are comfortable. Colour-wise, matching with the flowers or scheme looks really classy and complementary in photos.

How to choose bridesmaids conclusion