Choosing The Perfect Number Of Bridesmaids In Singapore

When it comes to choosing your wedding party, there are no fixed rules. You can have as many or as few bridesmaids as you want. The number of bridesmaids you choose will depend on several factors, such as your budget, the size and formality of your wedding, and the dynamics of your social group. It's important to remember that being a bridesmaid comes with financial obligations, so make sure to choose people who are willing and able to take on the responsibility. In Singapore, it is customary for the bride to provide financial support to her bridesmaids and to receive support from them in return. Ultimately, the decision on how many bridesmaids to have is a personal one, and you should choose the people you feel closest to and who will provide you with the support you need during the wedding planning process.

Budgeting for bridesmaids

Dress and Accessories:

The cost of the bridesmaid dresses is a significant expense. As the bride, you have the option to pay for the dresses in full or contribute partially. It's important to discuss this with your bridesmaids and be mindful of their financial situation. Additionally, consider the cost of shoes, jewellery, clutch bags, hairpieces, and any other accessories you want your bridesmaids to wear.

Hair and Makeup:

Many brides choose to have their bridesmaids' hair and makeup professionally styled on the wedding day. If you want a specific look, it is customary for you to cover this expense.

Flowers and Bouquets:

Bridesmaids' flowers, including bouquets and/or corsages, are another cost to factor in. These floral arrangements can add up, especially if you have multiple bridesmaids.

Food and Refreshments:

Throughout the wedding day, you will need to provide food and refreshments for your bridesmaids. This includes canapés, the wedding breakfast, and the reception buffet. Ensure you allocate funds in your budget for these expenses.

Transportation:

If your bridesmaids are getting ready with you, you may need to arrange and pay for their transportation to the venue. This could include hiring a car or providing reimbursements for their travel costs.

Gifts:

It is customary to give each bridesmaid a gift as a token of appreciation for their time, support, and contribution to your special day. This expense should be factored into your budget.

Pre-Wedding Events:

Bridesmaids are often involved in pre-wedding events such as the bridal shower and bachelorette party. These events can incur costs for decorations, food, drinks, and venue rental. As the bride, you may choose to cover some or all of these expenses for your bridesmaids.

Venue and Formality:

The size and formality of your wedding can impact the number of bridesmaids you choose to have. Very formal weddings typically have a larger number of bridesmaids, and the venue space may also influence your decision. Consider the layout of the ceremony room and whether there is enough space for your desired number of bridesmaids.

Friendship Dynamics:

When budgeting for bridesmaids, consider the dynamics of your social group. If you have multiple close friends or siblings, you may want to include them all to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. This could increase your costs, so plan accordingly.

Long-Distance Bridesmaids:

If any of your bridesmaids live far away, be mindful of their additional travel costs. They may need to budget for flights, accommodation, and other expenses. You may choose to offer financial support or find other ways to include them in your wedding festivities.

Remember, it's important to be transparent with your bridesmaids about financial expectations. Discuss costs early on and be considerate of their financial situation. By planning ahead and allocating funds wisely, you can ensure that your bridesmaids are well taken care of and that your wedding day is memorable for all involved.

Venue size

When deciding on the number of bridesmaids for your wedding, it is important to consider the size of your venue. The size and layout of the ceremony room can give a clue as to how many bridesmaids you should have. If you are getting married in a small space, such as a registry office or a small country hotel, there might not be enough room for a large number of bridesmaids. On the other hand, if you are getting married in a huge, sweeping ballroom, having only a few bridesmaids may look odd.

The number of bridesmaids you choose can also affect your wedding photos. Many brides prefer to have an even number of bridesmaids so that the bride can stand in the middle of photos and not look off-centre. However, there are ways to get around this with an odd number of bridesmaids, such as having the bride sit down with a bridesmaid standing behind her.

In general, the number of bridesmaids you have will depend on the size of your wedding. Typically, the range is between three to five bridesmaids, but you may decide to include more or less. For example, if you are planning a formal wedding with 200 or more guests, a larger wedding party might be appropriate. On the other hand, if you are having a small, intimate wedding with just 100 guests or fewer, you may want to consider having fewer bridesmaids or none at all.

Ultimately, the decision on how many bridesmaids to have is a personal one. There are no fixed rules, and you can have as many or as few bridesmaids as you want. However, it is important to consider the size of your venue and your budget when making your decision.

Formality of the wedding

The number of bridesmaids you choose to have at your wedding is entirely up to you and your preferences. However, if you are looking for some guidance on how to determine the number of bridesmaids based on the formality of the wedding, here are some tips:

For very formal weddings, such as black-tie events, it is common to have between 6 and 10 bridesmaids, and sometimes even up to 12. These weddings often also include flower girls and page boys. On the other hand, if you are having a casual wedding, elopement, or registry office wedding, it is typical to have just one or two bridesmaids, or even none at all.

However, it is important to remember that these are just general guidelines, and you should ultimately choose the number of bridesmaids based on your own preferences and the people you feel closest to. If you have a large budget for your casual beach wedding and want to include a dozen of your closest friends, go for it! Conversely, if you are having a formal wedding but would prefer to only have your two best friends by your side, that is also completely fine.

Additionally, if you are concerned about symmetry and aesthetics, you may want to consider having an even number of bridesmaids so that the bride can stand in the middle during photos. However, this is not a hard rule, and there are ways to work around it, such as having the bride sit down with a bridesmaid standing behind her.

Ultimately, the decision on how many bridesmaids to have is a personal one, and you should choose based on what feels right for you and your wedding.

Friendship dynamics

If you have a large group of close friends, you may want to include them all to avoid hurting anyone's feelings. On the other hand, if you have a varied social group, you may need to be more selective to maintain harmony within the bridal party. It's worth noting that being a bridesmaid is a significant commitment, so it's essential to choose people you can rely on and who are willing and able to take on the responsibilities.

Additionally, the number of bridesmaids you choose may impact the dynamics of your wedding party as a whole. For example, you may want to consider balancing the number of bridesmaids with the number of groomsmen, although this is not a hard rule.

Ultimately, the decision on how many bridesmaids to have should be based on your personal preferences and the dynamics of your friendships. It's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and you should choose the people who are most important to you and will support you throughout the wedding planning process and on your special day.

Bridesmaids' duties

While there is no set number of bridesmaids you should have, the average number is four. It's completely up to you and your preferences—don't feel pressured to include people just to match the number of attendants on your partner's side.

Now, here is a list of bridesmaids' duties:

Before the Wedding

• Offer emotional support to the bride.
• Help with wedding planning tasks, such as addressing invitations or checking in with vendors.
• Plan and pay for pre-wedding events like the bridal shower and bachelorette party.
• Attend any other pre-wedding events, such as engagement parties or couples' showers.
• Book travel and hotel reservations for the wedding.
• Attend the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner.
• Shop for and pay for bridesmaid attire.
• Buy a wedding gift for the couple.

On the Wedding Day

• Get ready with the bride and keep her calm and collected.
• Assist the Maid of Honour with any tasks she may need help with.
• Provide snacks and drinks for the bridal party while they get ready.
• Greet and direct guests, showing them where to sign the guest book, deposit gifts, and find their seats.
• Participate in the ceremony by walking down the aisle and fulfilling any other assigned roles.
• Be photo-ready and help the bride with any last-minute touches, like lipstick or blotting papers.
• Mingle with guests, sign the guest book, and participate in guest-related activities.
• Help with the send-off by gathering personal items, transporting gifts, and participating in post-wedding events.

After the Wedding

• Help with tidying up and ensuring that all vendors collect their items.
• Create a digital collection of photos and videos taken by the wedding party while waiting for the official photos.

Frequently asked questions