Nine Ways To Celebrate Your Big Day With Nine Bridesmaids

Deciding on the number of bridesmaids for your wedding can be a tricky task, especially if you have a large group of close friends and family members. While there is no correct number, it's important to consider the dynamics and logistics of your wedding. Having nine bridesmaids can offer several advantages, such as including more people you love and ensuring a great turnout at pre-wedding events. However, it may also lead to challenges like increased expenses, more opinions and schedules to manage, and potential dress drama. Ultimately, the decision is yours, and you can make it work by being relaxed and flexible.

How to decide who to leave out

Deciding who to leave out of your bridal party can be difficult, especially if you have a large group of close friends and family members. Here are some tips to help you decide:

Make a List of "Must-Haves"

Start by making a list of your "must-haves" – the people you absolutely want by your side on your wedding day. These are the people you are closest with and can't imagine getting married without. Be honest with yourself and don't feel pressured to include someone out of obligation. It's your day, and you should be surrounded by the people who truly matter to you.

Consider Practicalities

Take practical considerations into account. Being a bridesmaid comes with financial obligations, such as buying a certain dress or chipping in for bridal shower expenses. If you have a large bridal party, these costs can add up quickly. Think about who is willing and able to take on these financial commitments.

Manageable Group Size

A large bridal party can make planning and coordination more challenging. Consider the number of people you can realistically manage and who is able to commit to the time and responsibilities involved. Remember, your bridesmaids will be involved in various pre-wedding events and activities, so you want to ensure everyone can participate without overwhelming your schedule and theirs.

Avoid Drama and Conflict

If you sense potential drama or conflict among certain individuals, carefully consider whether it's worth including them all. You don't want your wedding preparations to be filled with tension and arguments. Choose people who get along well and will work together harmoniously to support you.

Other Ways to Include Friends

Remember, there are other ways to include friends and family members who don't make it into your bridal party. They can be involved in readings, toasts, or other special roles during the ceremony or reception. They can also simply be guests, celebrating your special day with you. It's okay to have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, or to forgo a bridal party altogether if that feels right for you.

How to include friends without making them bridesmaids

Having nine bridesmaids can be a lot to manage, and you may want to include other friends without giving them the title of "bridesmaid". Here are some ways to do this:

Give them other roles in the wedding

You can ask a couple friends to do readings during the ceremony, or appoint them ushers to help guide guests to their seats. You could also ask them to be in charge of specific tasks, such as planning your bridal shower or bachelorette party. However, be aware that giving some friends alternative roles may make them feel less important than the bridesmaids.

Bend the rules to include all your friends as bridesmaids

If you're worried about an uneven bridal party, there are ways to include all your friends without making it obvious that there are more bridesmaids than groomsmen. For example, you could have the groomsmen enter from the side instead of walking down the aisle, or send the bridesmaids down in sets of two. Alternatively, you could have your wedding party stand in an arc behind you during the ceremony, or sit in the front row instead of standing.

Don't worry about having an uneven bridal party

It's not necessary to have the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. If you want to include all nine of your friends as bridesmaids, go for it! Your guests will understand that the people your partner is closest with couldn't be there.

Include them in other pre-wedding activities

If you're worried about hurting your friends' feelings, remember that most friends will be happy to simply be guests at your wedding. You can also include them in other pre-wedding activities, such as dress shopping or cake tasting.

Be practical when choosing bridesmaids

If you're feeling overwhelmed by the idea of having nine bridesmaids, try to narrow it down to your closest friends or family members. Choose people who you know will be supportive and helpful throughout the planning process, and who have similar tastes and styles to make dress shopping easier.

The pros and cons of a large bridal party

Deciding on the size of your bridal party can be a tricky task. While there is no right or wrong number, there are pros and cons to having a large bridal party that are worth considering.

The Pros

No Hurt Feelings

A larger bridal party means you're more likely to include everyone you want to, reducing the risk of anyone feeling left out or disappointed.

More Help

With more bridesmaids and groomsmen, you'll have more helping hands. This can be especially useful when it comes to pre-wedding events, meaning the burden of planning doesn't fall on just one person.

More Love and Support

Having a large bridal party means you'll be surrounded by more of your loved ones, which can be a wonderful feeling and provide extra support throughout the process.

Mix and Match Attire

A large bridal party gives you the opportunity to get creative with attire. You can have fun mixing and matching dresses, colours, and styles, which can look amazing in photos.

Amazing Photo Ops

Speaking of photos, a larger bridal party means more opportunities for creative and fun shots. These portraits will capture the unique personalities of your bridal party and will likely be some of your favourites from the day.

Getting Ready Will Be a Blast

A large bridal party can make the pre-ceremony process feel like a party. Having all your friends together, laughing, and helping you get ready can help ease any pre-wedding jitters.

The Cons

Cost

Even if you're not paying for your bridal party's attire, a larger group means higher costs for things like bouquets, boutonnieres, hair and makeup, and gifts.

Difficult to Coordinate

With more people come more opinions, which can make decision-making challenging. Finding the right attire for everyone, even with a mismatched aesthetic, becomes more complicated with each new perspective.

Scheduling Conflicts

Planning pre-wedding events with a large group can be tricky, as everyone has their own schedules and responsibilities. It may be difficult to find a time when everyone is available, especially if they're scattered across different locations.

More Opportunities for Drama

While hopefully, this won't be the case, a larger group means more potential for personality clashes and disagreements.

Keeping Everyone on Time

On the day of the wedding, your bridal party has many responsibilities, and it can be challenging to ensure a large group is where they need to be when they need to be.

In the end, the decision on bridal party size is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Consider your own circumstances, preferences, and the dynamics of your group to make the choice that feels right for you.

How to cut down the number of bridesmaids

If you're looking to cut down the number of bridesmaids, it's important to remember that there is no "correct" number of bridesmaids to have. It's your wedding, so you can have as many or as few as you like. However, if you're feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of having 9 bridesmaids, here are some tips to help you reduce the number:

First, take a step back and evaluate your bridal party. Are there any must-haves on your list? These are the people you can't imagine getting married without by your side. They are your closest friends or family members who have been there for you and will continue to be there for you in the future. If you have a group of friends who fall into this category, great! You've found your bridesmaids. If you only have one or two "ride-or-die" friends, that's okay too! Choose the people who are most important to you and who you want to be first in line to see you get married.

Next, remember that you don't have to choose someone just because they chose you. If you were someone's bridesmaid in the past, but you're not close anymore, it's okay to not reciprocate. It might be a little awkward to rekindle a friendship from years ago while also planning your wedding. Similarly, you don't need to feel obligated to choose your future sister-in-law as a bridesmaid if you're not close. Your bridal party should be made up of people you genuinely want to be there, not people you feel pressured to include.

If you're worried about hurting feelings, remember that there are other ways to involve people in your wedding. You can ask them to help with pre-wedding tasks like selecting flowers or sampling cakes, or include them in your bachelorette party. You can also create a "house party" – a group of ladies who are not official bridesmaids but who are still involved in the wedding. They can man the guest book, be listed in the program, and participate in pre-wedding parties.

Finally, don't stress too much about having an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. It's not a requirement, and an uneven wedding party is totally fine. If you're concerned about how it will look in photos, ask your photographer to get creative with different setups and poses.

Remember, it's your wedding, and you should do what feels right for you. Choose the people who are most important to you and who will help make your day special and stress-free.

How to decide the bridal party size

Deciding on the size of your bridal party can be a tricky task, especially if you have a large group of close friends and family members. Here are some tips to help you determine how many bridesmaids to choose for your special day:

There Is No "Correct" Number

Firstly, remember that there is no right or wrong number of bridesmaids. It's your wedding, and you can have as many or as few as you like. Don't feel pressured to match the number of groomsmen or abide by any traditions or expectations. The most important thing is to choose the people you genuinely want by your side as you get married.

Consider Your Wedding Size and Venue

The number of bridesmaids can depend on the size of your wedding and the venue. If you're having a large wedding with over 200 guests, you might want to have more bridesmaids, while a smaller, intimate wedding could call for a smaller bridal party. Additionally, consider the space available at the altar; a cramped venue might be better suited to a smaller bridal party.

Think About Logistics and Budget

Having a large number of bridesmaids can bring logistical challenges and added expenses. More bridesmaids mean more opinions, schedules to coordinate, and costs for gifts and beauty preparations. It can also make planning pre-wedding events and activities more complicated. Ensure you can manage the additional responsibilities that come with a larger bridal party.

Choose Based on Support and Availability

Your bridesmaids should be the people you want to support you throughout the wedding planning process and on your special day. Pick those you can rely on, laugh with, and share emotional moments. Consider their availability, especially if you want them involved in pre-wedding activities and events. It's essential to choose bridesmaids who can commit to the role and be there for you when needed.

Don't Stress Over Numbers

Remember, your wedding is about celebrating your love and surrounding yourself with people who care about you. Don't stress too much about the numbers. Trust your instincts, and choose the people who are truly important to you. Most friends will be happy to attend your wedding as guests, and what matters to them is witnessing your special day, not necessarily being in the bridal party.

Frequently asked questions