How To Include Your Friends On Your Wedding Day

There are many ways to involve friends in a wedding without assigning them the role of bridesmaid. Bridesmaids are not mandatory, and some brides choose to forgo this tradition. One way to include friends is to incorporate certain elements of a traditional bridal party, such as getting ready together, having a friends-only bachelorette party, or inviting a friend to speak at the rehearsal dinner or reception. Friends can also be included in pre-wedding activities like dress shopping or a girls' night out. It's also a good idea to take special photos with friends and include them in the wedding ceremony through readings or performances. These suggestions can help ensure that friends feel important and involved in the wedding celebrations, even if they are not part of the bridal party.

Redefine 'friend' and consider family members or work friends

Redefine "friend" and you'll realise you have a ton of close, supportive relationships in your life who would make great bridespeople. Friends can come from anywhere—your aunt, your work wife, or your male cousin can be some of your closest friends. There's no criteria for who qualifies as a bridesmaid, and no criteria for who qualifies as a friend, either.

If you're concerned about the number of bridesmaids, don't be. It's perfectly fine to have an odd number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, or no wedding party at all. Having one cherished bridesmaid is also acceptable. Your bridal party does not need to be even.

If you're worried about not having many close friends, consider whether there's something you could change. Seek out friendships and put in the effort to maintain them. Talk to people, be friendly, smile, and join clubs, activities, sports, or book readings.

Remember, your wedding day should be a celebration of you as a couple. Do what will ultimately make you the happiest.

Reconnect with old friends

If you're not having bridesmaids at your wedding, there are still plenty of ways to involve your closest friends and make them feel special. Here are some ideas to reconnect with old friends and include them in your celebration:

Redefine "Friend"

Friendships are elastic, and you may have more close relationships in your life than you realize. Consider expanding your definition of "friend" to include cousins, aunts, or colleagues who could fill the role of a bridesmaid.

Rekindle Old Friendships

If you've drifted apart from friends you were once close to, your wedding is a great opportunity to reconnect. The excitement and emotion of your wedding, as well as the planning process, can help bring you closer together. Reach out to old friends and let them know you'd love to have them involved in your special day.

Consider Past Weddings

Think about the weddings you've been a part of in the past. If you've been a bridesmaid for someone else, consider asking them to return the favor. They will likely be understanding of your situation and willing to participate in your wedding.

Be OK with Just One

It's becoming more popular for brides to have just one friend by their side, or even no bridal party at all. You don't need a large group of bridesmaids, and having just one friend can save you money, anxiety, and drama.

Get Ready Together

Even if you don't have official bridesmaids, you can still enjoy getting ready for your wedding with your closest friends. Invite them to join you for mimosas and fun while you prepare for the big day. You can even offer to spring for hair and makeup as you would for bridesmaids.

Include Them in Other Ways

• Take photos with your friends to make sure they feel special and involved.
• Invite a close friend to do a reading during the ceremony or say a few words at the rehearsal dinner or reception.
• Go dress shopping with your friends and get their advice on finding the perfect gown.
• Throw a girls' night or a combined bachelor/bachelorette party to celebrate with your closest friends.
• Ask a friend to be your officiant or to sing a meaningful song during the ceremony or reception.

Remember, your wedding day should be a celebration of you as a couple, and it's okay to simplify things and not have bridesmaids if that's what you prefer. Your friends will likely be happy to just attend the wedding and have fun without having an official role to play.

Ask brides from your own weddings to be bridesmaids

If you're looking for ways to involve your friends in your wedding without having bridesmaids, there are plenty of options to make your closest friends feel important and involved in your celebration. Here are some ideas to include your friends without having a bridal party:

• Take a special photo with your group of friends. Not having formal portraits of bridesmaids will give you more time to spend with everyone at the reception.
• Involve your friends in the wedding ceremony by asking them to do a reading, officiate the wedding, or perform a song.
• Get ready for the wedding together and even spring for hair and makeup for your closest friends.
• Invite your friends to come with you when you go dress shopping.
• Throw a girls' night or a combined bachelor-bachelorette party with your partner.

Now, if you're specifically looking to ask brides from your own weddings to be bridesmaids at your wedding, here are some tips and ideas to consider:

Redefine "Friend"

It's important to remember that friends can come from anywhere. Your aunt, work wife, or male cousin can be some of your closest friends and stand by your side on your wedding day. Don't feel limited to traditional notions of friendship and be open to including a diverse range of people in your bridal party.

Expand Your Horizons

Just because you may have drifted apart from some friends due to geographical distances or changing life circumstances doesn't mean you can't reconnect. Weddings are a perfect time to rekindle old friendships and bring you closer together. Planning a wedding can be exciting and emotional, and including friends you've drifted from can be a great way to strengthen your bond again.

Consider the Weddings You've Been In

Think about the weddings you've been a part of as a bridesmaid. Consider asking those brides to return the favour and be a part of your bridal party. If you were close enough to be included in their wedding, it's only natural to exchange bridesmaid duties. This can be a great way to strengthen your bond and create lasting memories together.

Be OK with Just One

It's becoming increasingly popular for brides to have just one top friend as their right-hand on their wedding day, doing away with the traditional bridal party altogether. Having a single bridesmaid can save you money, anxiety, and drama. It's also a great option if you're selective with your friendships and want to keep things simple.

When to Ask

It's recommended to give yourself a grace period of at least 60 days after getting engaged before popping the question to your bridesmaids. This will allow you to plan and think about the people you want to include in your bridal party. It's also a good idea to wait until you know your wedding date and other details to give your bridesmaids enough information to make an informed decision.

How to Ask

There are endless creative ways to ask your friends to be your bridesmaids. Here are some ideas:

• Give them a "bridesmaid" keepsake gift, such as personalized jewellery, pretty hair ties, tote bags, or customized champagne glasses.
• Send them a letter in a bottle with a handwritten note asking the question.
• Surprise them at their doorstep with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine.
• Create a personalized print or card with their name and the date of your wedding, asking them to be your bridesmaid.
• Send them cookies or cupcakes with "Will you be my bridesmaid?" written in icing.
• Invite them to a dinner party and bring out a cake with the question iced on it as a surprise.

Have one ride-or-die friend as your bridesmaid

If you have one ride-or-die friend, you can still have a wedding without bridesmaids in the traditional sense. You can ask this friend to be your bridesmaid and throw out the idea of a bridal party altogether. This way, you can save yourself money, anxiety, and drama. You can still make your closest friends feel special without making them bridesmaids.

• Take a special photo with your group of girls or everyone individually.
• Have your friend do a reading during the wedding ceremony.
• Get ready together. You can even spring for hair and makeup for your friend.
• Invite them to go dress shopping with you.
• Throw a girls' night or a co-ed celebration with your groom.

Remember, your wedding day should be a celebration of you as a couple. Opting out of bridesmaids means you're focused on simplifying your wedding and ensuring that every guest feels extra special.

Ask your friends to be involved in other ways, like doing a reading

If you want to involve your friends in your wedding but don't want to have bridesmaids, there are plenty of ways to make them feel special and included. One great way to do this is to ask them to do a reading at your wedding ceremony. This can be a meaningful way to include your closest friends and family and make them feel important. If you have a friend who doesn't mind public speaking, consider asking them to perform a reading that holds a special meaning for you.

You can also invite your friends to be part of the wedding planning process and ask for their advice and input. This could include inviting them to go dress shopping with you or asking for their opinions on the wedding décor or theme. Another idea is to suggest that your friends wear a specific colour palette to the wedding that complements the overall aesthetic. This way, they will feel special knowing that their attire is in harmony with the carefully selected style of the celebration.

In the lead up to the wedding, you can plan a friends-only bachelorette party or a girls' night to celebrate with your closest friends. This can be a fun way to create special memories and spend quality time with your friends before the big day.

On the wedding day itself, you can get ready together and enjoy some mimosas and music while preparing for the ceremony. You can even offer to spring for hair and makeup services for your friends, just as you would for bridesmaids. This will create a fun and relaxed atmosphere and allow you all to bond and make lasting memories.

Lastly, don't forget to take plenty of photos with your friends on your wedding day. Whether it's individual shots or group photos, these will be cherished memories that you can look back on and remember the special role your friends played in your celebration.

Frequently asked questions