Planning A Wedding Without Bridesmaids

Planning a wedding without bridesmaids is becoming an increasingly popular choice for brides. There are many reasons for this, from not wanting to leave loved ones out, to budget constraints, to simply wanting a more casual vibe. While it may be non-traditional, there are still ways to include your nearest and dearest in your celebration.

Delegate duties to family members or friends, such as holding the bouquet or rings

If you're choosing to forgo bridesmaids and groomsmen at your wedding, you can still involve your family and friends by delegating duties to them. Here are some ideas for tasks they can take on:

Holding the bouquet or rings

Ask a close family member like your mom or sister to hold your bouquet during the vows. Alternatively, you could give the bouquet to the officiant. As for the rings, the best man typically holds onto them, but you could also ask the officiant to hold them.

Delegate other traditional duties

There are other traditional duties you can delegate to family and friends, such as planning the bachelor and bachelorette parties. You could also involve them in the ceremony by asking them to do a reading or poem, help with a unity candle, or act as witnesses.

Get ready together

You can still invite your closest friends to join you while you're getting ready. Offer to pay for them to get their hair and makeup done as well, so you can all enjoy being pampered together.

Take a special photo

Although you may not have a bridal party, you can still arrange for the photographer to take special set photographs beyond family groupings. Be sure to send them a copy of the picture after the wedding with a personal note!

Invite them to a special dinner

Traditionally, the bridal party is included in the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding. You can still invite your nearest and dearest friends and family to join you for dinner and speeches or something more informal like a wedding morning brunch.

Include loved ones in the ceremony by asking them to do a reading or be witnesses

Even if you decide not to have bridesmaids at your wedding, there are still many ways to include your loved ones in the ceremony. One way to do this is by asking them to do a reading or be witnesses.

Asking loved ones to do a reading

If you want to include your loved ones in your wedding ceremony, you could ask them to perform a reading or poem. This is a huge honour and a compliment to those you ask, as it is an important job. Wedding readers are tasked with reading selected poems, passages, or religious texts during the ceremony. The reading can be chosen by the couple or the reader, and it should be something that suits the reader and is meaningful to the couple. It is important to keep in mind that not everyone is comfortable with public speaking, so choose your readers wisely.

Asking loved ones to be witnesses

Another way to include your loved ones in your wedding is by asking them to be witnesses. Witnesses are fundamental to any wedding, and they can be anyone from special relatives to close friends. They observe the wedding ceremony and sign the paperwork afterward, confirming that the wedding was performed legally and without coercion. Witnesses do not have to be UK residents, but they must be able to speak the language the ceremony is conducted in and be old enough to understand what a marriage is and what a legal ceremony should look like.

There are many creative ways to ask someone to be your wedding witness. For example, you could send them an extra card inside their wedding invitation, give them a puzzle that reveals your request when assembled, or send them a selfie with a sign that says, "You have been chosen as a witness for our wedding! Do you accept?"

Get ready with your friends and family and offer to pay for their hair and makeup

If you're opting for a wedding without bridesmaids, you can still get ready with your friends and family and offer to pay for their hair and makeup. This is a great way to include your nearest and dearest in your special day, without the pressure of having a bridal party.

Getting ready with your friends and family is a wonderful way to create a joyful and celebratory atmosphere on your wedding day. You can pop open a bottle of champagne, play some music, and enjoy being pampered together. It's also a great opportunity to take some special photos, which you can send to your friends afterward as a memento.

If you're concerned about the cost, there are a few ways to approach this. Firstly, it's important to remember that offering to pay for hair and makeup is just that—an offer. Your friends and family may be happy to cover their own expenses, especially if they understand your budget constraints. Alternatively, you can discuss other options with your hair and makeup artists, such as offering a "beauty credit" to contribute to the cost per person. This can be a great way to show your appreciation while also being mindful of your budget.

When communicating your plans to your friends and family, be clear and upfront about any costs they will need to cover. For example, you can say something like, "I'm hiring a professional to do my hair and makeup. If you'd like to get yours done as well, it will cost $XY for hair and $YX for makeup. Please let me know by [date] if you're interested." This gives them the option to decide what works best for them, without any pressure or surprises.

Remember, the most important thing is to enjoy this special time with your loved ones. By getting ready together and offering to pay for their hair and makeup, you can create a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved.

Take special photos with your nearest and dearest

Photographs are an essential part of a wedding day, capturing memories to be cherished for years to come. If you're not having bridesmaids, you can still take special photos with your nearest and dearest. Here are some ideas to make that happen:

Get Ready Together

Although there won't be a bridal party, you can still invite your closest friends and family to join you while you get ready. Pop some bubbly, play some tunes, and enjoy this special time together. You could even offer to pay for their hair and makeup so they can also feel pampered and be part of your special day.

Take Formal Portraits

While you won't have a bridal party, you can still arrange for formal portraits with your nearest and dearest. Discuss this with your photographer and plan for some special set photographs beyond the family groupings. This could include individual shots with each of your closest friends and family members, as well as group photos with your girls or everyone who is important to you.

Candid Shots

In addition to formal portraits, ask your photographer to capture candid moments with your nearest and dearest throughout the day. These spontaneous photos will showcase genuine emotions and personalities, creating lasting memories of the joy and love shared on your wedding day.

Include Them in the Nuptials

Another way to take special photos with your nearest and dearest is to include them in the wedding ceremony itself. You could ask them to perform a reading, poem, or song, or even be your officiant. These moments will make for beautiful photographs and add a unique, personal touch to your ceremony.

Pre-Wedding Photoshoot

If you want to go the extra mile, consider having a pre-wedding photoshoot with your closest friends and family members. This could be a fun way to create lasting memories and capture special moments before the big day. You can even incorporate this into a girls' night or spa weekend, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone involved.

Remember, your wedding day is about celebrating your love and surrounding yourself with the people who matter most to you. By incorporating these photo ideas, you'll be able to capture precious moments with your nearest and dearest, creating a visual reminder of the love and support surrounding you on this momentous occasion.

Invite your nearest and dearest to a special dinner or day out

If you're choosing not to have bridesmaids at your wedding, you can still involve your nearest and dearest in other ways. One idea is to invite them to a special dinner or day out. This could be a more formal rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, or something less formal, like a wedding morning brunch or a day out before the wedding.

If you're planning a special dinner, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, decide on your guest list and confirm the date, time, and location. You might want to include any special instructions, such as a dress code or contribution to the meal, on your invitations. When it comes to the meal itself, keep the menu simple and prepare as much as you can in advance. Set the table the night before, and take some time to relax and get ready before your guests arrive.

If you'd prefer to organise a day out, there are lots of options to choose from. You could suggest a spa day, a trip to your favourite club, or even a combined bachelor-bachelorette party. Whatever you decide, make sure it's an occasion that reflects your personality and preferences.

Frequently asked questions