Selecting Two Chief Bridesmaids: Is It Possible?

Deciding on your bridal party can be a stressful part of wedding planning, especially when it comes to choosing a maid of honour. But who says you have to pick just one?

There are no rules when it comes to your wedding, and you can have as many maids of honour as you like. In fact, having two maids of honour can be a great way to ensure your big day runs smoothly, with double the love, support, and helping hands.

It's your wedding, your rules

It's not uncommon for brides to have trouble deciding on a maid of honour. You might not want to hurt anyone's feelings, or perhaps you have two people in your life who are equally important to you. If that's the case, then you can absolutely have two maids of honour. It's your wedding, and you can do whatever you want.

There are a few things to keep in mind, though. Firstly, you'll want to make sure that your two maids of honour get along. If they don't know each other, consider arranging a casual get-together before the wedding so they can get acquainted. It's also important to be clear about your expectations and who will be doing what to avoid any friction or conflict. Divide the responsibilities and make sure everyone knows what they're responsible for.

You can also have your two maids of honour stand out from the other bridesmaids by having them wear different dresses. They can wear the same dress but with different bouquets or accessories, or each can wear a unique dress. During the ceremony, you can have them walk down the aisle together, and if you're having a bridal party dance, the best man can take a turn with each of them separately.

So, if you're torn between two people for your chief bridesmaid, don't be afraid to choose both! It's your day, and you can make your own rules.

Make one a matron of honour

If you're struggling to choose between two people for the role of chief bridesmaid, you can always have two! You can decide to have two maids of honour, two matrons of honour, or one of each.

The main difference between a maid of honour and a matron of honour is that the latter is married. The duties of the two roles are the same, and they can work together to plan pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and bachelorette party.

If you do decide to have two people in the role, it's important to make sure they get along. You can help them bond by taking them out for dinner and drinks, and getting them acquainted with shared interests. It's also a good idea to be clear about your expectations and who's doing what to avoid any friction or conflict.

On the day itself, you can make them stand out by having them wear different dresses or carrying different bouquets. They can also walk down the aisle together, and give a joint speech at the reception.

Help with wedding planning

Having two chief bridesmaids can be a great way to include multiple important people in your wedding and ensure you have extra support with planning.

Advantages

There are several advantages to having two chief bridesmaids. Firstly, it can be difficult to choose between multiple important people, such as a sister and a best friend, so having two chief bridesmaids means you don't have to. Secondly, it can be helpful to have an extra pair of hands to help with the various duties of the chief bridesmaid, such as planning the bachelorette party and bridal shower. Finally, having two chief bridesmaids can ensure you receive even more love and support during the planning process and on your big day.

Disadvantages

However, there are also some potential disadvantages to consider. For example, if your two chief bridesmaids have clashing personalities or different ideas, it could result in conflict. Additionally, jealousy may arise if one person spends more time with the bride or is given more responsibilities than the other.

Tips for Success

To ensure success when having two chief bridesmaids, it's important to set clear expectations and choose people who you think will work well together. You should also try to include both of them in all the core events, such as selecting wedding attire and cake tasting, and show your appreciation to each of them individually.

Making Them Stand Out

To make your two chief bridesmaids stand out, you can have them wear different dresses from the other bridesmaids, either in a different colour or style, or with a shorter or longer hem. You can also have them walk down the aisle together, be the last to walk down before the bride, and give a joint speech at the reception.

Ultimately, the decision to have two chief bridesmaids is a personal one, and there are no hard and fast rules. It's your wedding, so you can choose to have as many or as few chief bridesmaids as you want and plan the day according to your own preferences.

Make them stand out

Having two chief bridesmaids is perfectly fine and it is your wedding, so you make the rules. Here are some ways to make them stand out:

Different Dresses

You could have your two chief bridesmaids wear different dresses from the rest of the bridal party. They could wear the same dresses as each other, or each wear a different one. If you want everyone to wear the same dress, you could help your chief bridesmaids stand out by carrying different bouquets or adding a glitzy belt to their dresses.

Hair and Makeup

You could have your two chief bridesmaids wear different hairstyles or hair accessories from the rest of the bridal party.

Accessories

Adding a sparkling accessory to differentiate your chief bridesmaids is another way to make them stand out. For example, you could have them wear a shiny belt, a sparkly headpiece, or a simple necklace with subtle bling.

Walking Down the Aisle

The maid of honour usually walks down the aisle just before the bride. If you have two, you could have them walk down the aisle together to show that they are equals in your heart.

Let them walk down the aisle together

If you have two chief bridesmaids, you can let them walk down the aisle together. This way, they will know that they are equals in your heart. If you only have one best man, he can escort both of your chief bridesmaids down the aisle at the same time when the bridal party makes their exit after the wedding ceremony.

If you are worried about how this will look, you can instruct your photographer to capture this moment, creating a great photo opportunity. You can also instruct the best man to dance with both of the chief bridesmaids at the reception (separately, of course).

You can also have them wear slightly different dresses from the rest of the bridesmaids. This could be a different colour, a different style, or the same colour and style with a shorter or longer hem.

Remember, it's your wedding, and you can do whatever you want!

Frequently asked questions