Tag: wedding party

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Oops! That’s Awkward—Our guide to navigating 7 awkward wedding planning situations

I like to compare wedding planning to a mine that’s waiting to explode. The potential for problems is huge! Every couple faces at least a few awkward moments when planning their wedding. Many assumptions may be made that you cannot oblige to, you may have to say no on occasions, and where people are concerned there is no saying who can feel offended about what!

Here are 7 real sticky situations that you will most likely have to handle during your wedding planning process. We’ve also included the best possible solutions you can consider to make it as easy as possible.

#1 Tell a friend or relative that they are not in the wedding party

It could be that everyone thinks you are fond of them. Add that to the fact that  you have a huge friend circle and an equally big family, it is likely that there may be at least a friend or relative who assumes they will be in the wedding party. If there are on the wedding party list, fine! If you haven’t included them, you have a situation to handle!

It isn’t easy telling someone that they are to be a guest and not in the wedding party. The best way to handle the problem is to take care of it as soon as you doubt your friend or cousin assumes they are in without you ever mentioning it. Tell her directly that as much as you would love to have her in the party, the situation is such that you would prefer to have her enjoy the wedding as a guest instead. You could offer a valid explanation, like you want to keep the wedding party small. (Only if this is a fact! It will harm your relationship even more if she ends up seeing a dozen bridesmaids on the day, and she alone isn’t one). Make it clear that you value your relationship with her a lot, and would love to have her involved in the wedding in any other way possible. Stress that you would not want this to harm your relationship in any way, and be genuine with your words. We are sure she’ll understand if she is a sensible and reasonable girl.

#2 When you’d rather have cash

Many couples struggle with telling their guests that they’d rather have cash or gift coupons, than gifts that wouldn’t help them. This could be because money would help them pay off a loan, or they could use it on their honeymoon, or because they would like to buy an expensive item like a vehicle. In all these cases, money would really help.

If you are in any of these situations, we know how you could be whether you ought to or not  convey this message to your guests. Well, we think you should! First step, set up your wedding website, where you will be sharing your wedding registry information. Next, add a “gift cash towards xxx” as one of the top options in the registry and link it to your bank account. Share the website wedding registry with your contacts, so they are directed towards the page that prioritizes what you’d like to have, in a specific order.

The other option is to link your wedding registry to sites like Tendr , that allows guests to pick cards and send it with their well wishes to the couple. Now, if a guest were to ask you in person about your preferences, they would ideally be asking because they really want to get you something you want. So, don’t hesitate to tell them that you are saving up for whatever you are. If they are comfortable giving you cash, you can hope they will once they know of this.

#3 Telling your parents (or in-laws) that you want something different

Isn’t it funny how so many parents and their children fight over how the wedding should be held or planned, from the moment the planning is in progress? It is not too often that we see couples who want a modern, relaxed wedding with interesting and unique elements, while their parents would rather have a traditional-style formal wedding that can never go wrong. If the parents on either side are sharing the expenses, we know how quickly tempers can soar and all those involved can end up in a foul mood.

Rather than locking horns with your families, we suggest that you handle such situations tactfully. First, consider if you can do anything to accommodate your family’s ideas. If not the whole thing, if you can incorporate at least a few ideas, they will feel a lot better. Then, decide upon the things that you refuse to compromise on. When you present your final idea to the family, first tell them which of their suggestions will be included in the wedding. This will calm the atmosphere to a great extent. Then tell them what the rest of the plans are, and also that it is your wedding and you wouldn’t really be happy if these details weren’t part of it. So, request them to understand and convey how grateful you are for all they are doing.

#4 When a relative wants to take over as a wedding vendor

Yes, we’ve all been there, when a budding photographer in your family wants to be in-charge of the wedding photography, or an enthusiastic aunt wants to bake the wedding cake. It may be a bad idea to hand them the job unless these people are professionals. Now, even when they are professionals who are used to doing these for weddings, you may not agree with their style of work or may not be happy about giving them the responsibility for a range of reasons.

After all, working with a relative or friend is not the same as working with a vendor who you’ve hired for the job. You have to be cautious about everything you say, as you two have a relationship that could be hurt. In worst cases, they may disagree with what you want and even do things they think best. But, it may sometimes be a good idea, if they will offer you a discount or if you are really fond of the way they handle things. Unless this is the case, you should learn to say “No” to their offer diplomatically.

You can tell them you would love to have them handle the job, but you have already decided on another vendor. Or, the better option is to tell them that you don’t want to hire them for your wedding as you want them there as a guest, and not working all day and unable to participate or enjoy the wedding as they should. This clearly conveys that you value their presence, and if they appreciate it genuinely, this should put an end to the discussion.

#5 Saying No to guests you cannot afford to have

There’s this scene in the sitcom “Castle”, where Castle and Beckett mention to his mother that they were working on the guest list for the wedding, expecting her to suggest how they reduce it. In the blink of an eye, she rushes off to bring out her own guest list for the wedding!

Don’t be startled if you find the same thing happen in your case! Many couples are faced with the tough decision of saying no to guests that they cannot have at their wedding. If parents are paying, or if friends are pushovers who must invite people on their behalf, the situation is anything but pleasant.

We suggest that you be honest when you tell your parents, relatives or friends why it simply isn’t feasible to have any more guests than you have planned. Since your parents will anyway be inviting at least a few people, please give them a specific number beforehand. They can then prioritize who goes on the list and who can be left out. Make your mind up about how far you can stretch with any extra additions, and make sure you stick to it. After all, your wedding is all about having the people who matter the most to you. It is not about having a huge party where you hardly know half the faces there, or is it?

#6 Planning your bridesmaid’s dress budget

One of the reasons many women dread being asked to be a bridesmaid, is the financial burden that comes along with it. Let’s face it, bridesmaids have to pay for a dress that they may not like at all, pay for the accessories, spend on the bachelorette, bridal shower and gift for the bride. All this will take a chunk out of their savings. It is worse if they are still in college or have their financial constraints.

So, the best thing you can do is be reasonable when deciding what your bridesmaids should wear. Our suggestion is to be flexible, and consider a range of choices in dresses, so your bridesmaids can pick the easiest one on their pockets. Instead of having them dress up in matching outfits, think out of the box, and go with the mix ‘n’ match trend. This gives them the freedom to choose from the choices you have shortlisted. It is also likely that they will pick a dress that they can use again.

A good friend would also consider easing their financial burden by paying for the bridesmaid accessories or hair and makeup. Now, if you have been a bridesmaid at all these girls’ weddings previously, and they weren’t half as considerate, we think it is up to you to decide how to handle the situation. It wouldn’t be wrong if you kept their expenses similar to what you had to incur if this is the case. Else, think of what you can do to help out, maybe make use of sales and discounts or keep your dress selection reasonable so they do not begrudge you for your choices later.

#7 Talk money with your parents or in-laws

You think you’ve heard your parents mention sometime in the past, that they’ve put aside a certain amount for your wedding expenses. But do you ask for it once you are engaged and planning the wedding? Is it appropriate to bring up the topic? Well, it’s mom and dad, and if you are certain there’s money set aside for you, it shouldn’t be wrong to confirm so you can plan the wedding accordingly.

Ideally, they should bring the topic up if they have any such plans. So, it may not always be best to bring up the topic yourself. If they are quiet, it may be because something’s changed and not because they’ve forgotten about it. Never assume that they will pay, and go about planning your wedding based on this assumption. If they disagree, don’t feel entitled to it and have your plans go bust. Instead, share the wedding plans you have in mind and the quotes you collect from vendors. They will be more comfortable mentioning what they want to contribute when you do it this way.

If there is no talk about the money at all, you can either ask them what happened to the fund they put aside (that is, if you are sure they have), or ask them if they could help and you could repay it later.

As we said earlier, weddings are tricky events that can cause so much stress to any bride and groom. Nevertheless, it is important always to keep the big picture in mind. When you think of the priorities in your life and how you can celebrate the event that brings you and your partner together forever, you can tide over any awkward situation and leave it out of your mind forever.

To help you with everything you need for your wedding, including your wedding dress, attire for your wedding party, accessories, décor, cakes and even flowers, visit us at Best for Bride. We have everything you need.

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10 questions and answers about junior bridesmaids

Brides often have a young cousin or a niece who isn’t old enough to be a bridesmaid, but is too old to fit into the role of a flower girl. When this girl is dear to the bride, she usually wants her in the wedding party, but may not be sure of what role to give her. Fortunately, there is a perfect role to honor these not-so-little girls with, and it is “Junior Bridesmaid!”

If you have already chosen one or more junior bridesmaids, or intend to have them at your wedding, here is a list of all the things you need to know.

The bridesmaids

Image Credits: Adam Red, via Flickr, [CC BY 2.0]

1.How old does someone have to be to be a junior bridesmaid?

Anyone who fits the description of big girl, but is not yet a grown up woman, can be a junior bridesmaid. It is usually a role suitable for girls aged between 9 and 15. This role is perfect for girls from either your family or your groom’s, or for young girls who you are very fond of and would love to include in your wedding. Think back and you will realize how you wouldn’t have been too pleased to be a flower girl when you were say 10 years old. The same goes for your junior bridesmaids. They may not be old enough to take up responsibility as a bridesmaid, but consider themselves too old to be a flower girl. So, this is the in-between role where they will be treated as a grown up girl, but the demands on them will be appropriate for their young age.

2.Does she also wear the same dress as the rest of the bridesmaids?

This is left to your discretion, and depends on how the girl looks and feels. There are teenagers who prefer to dress much older. And then, there are others who look too young for their actual age. So, go with your intuition, and of course, consult the girl and her parents. This is very important, especially if the bridesmaids dresses are on the sexier side. If your bridesmaid dress choice is one that is suitable on women of all ages, and you can find one in her size too, go with it. Otherwise, you can choose a less complicated dress that matches the rest of the bridal party look and still looks good on her. Low-cut dresses and ones with long slits are not appropriate for a young girl, and her parents may not appreciate the idea if you choose to dress her in this on your wedding day. Either search for a dress in a matching or complementing color and design, or have a seamstress alter a bridesmaid dress to suit her. Simple changes like adding straps or moving the neckline up with an illusion design may render the same dress suitable for her age. The other option is to get a whole other dress made for her, that goes well with the rest of the wedding party attire. Just make sure that you consult her before you choose her look, and that she looks modest and feels comfortable in what you choose, and all will be well.

3.When do we buy her dress and from where?

It is better to get your junior bridesmaid’s dress closer to your wedding date, as these girls are at an age where drastic changes can alter their overall appearance in a matter of months. So, it may not be a good idea to shop for your junior bridesmaids dress, several months in advance when you buy the rest of the wedding party dresses. Don’t buy it before four or five months from your wedding day, and have it altered in the month leading up to the wedding to make sure it fits. Most bridal shops like Best for Bride will have Junior Bridesmaids dress collections, and you should be able to find ones that are similar to the bridesmaids dresses you choose from the same place. If you choose from the same collection and material, you should be able to find the exact shade for both your bridesmaids and junior bridesmaids dresses. Or, you can have your bridesmaid dress picked from the prom dress collection, if there is a suitable choice there. If nothing works, you can consider having her dress custom-made.

4.Does she get the rest of the accessories, hair and makeup like the other bridesmaids?

This is again an individual choice. It is up to you to decide how she ought to look. Although most girls would rather prefer to look more like the bridesmaids than flower girls, how you dress her is entirely your choice. You can give her a bridesmaid bouquet, like the rest of your wedding party. Or, you could have a miniature version made specially for her. Be practical when you decide how her hair and makeup should be done on the day. A simplified version of your bridal party’s overall look should be fine. You can also choose similar jewelry, flowers or other accessories for her, so she blends in well with the crowd. If your bridesmaids will all be trotting around in high heels, you may have to get a low-heel shoe for your junior bridesmaid unless she is old enough to handle it. This will help you avoid any unnecessary accidents on the day. Again, it is a good idea to match it to the overall look of your wedding party, but do not choose something that is not appropriate for her age.

5.Does she have to participate in the bridal shower and bachelorette party?

She may not be able to contribute to the bridal shower or bachelorette party (as she obviously won’t have the finances for the same). Nevertheless, she can be part of the planning, help with setting it up and even with the clean-up afterwards. If you have a wild girl’s night out planned for your bachelorette party, she wouldn’t be of legal age to participate in it. So steer clear of inviting her. If it’s an appropriate event for her to participate in, welcome her in. Remember that this would also depend on whether she is comfortable with the rest of the bridal party. So, use discretion and take your stand.

6.How can she help with the wedding planning?

You may have a brilliant helper who is eager to do all she can to make your life easy, or your junior bridesmaid may be a fussy and emotional little girl who is yet to grow up and act her age. Depending on how the situation is, you can decide how involved she should be in the wedding planning. A junior bridesmaid’s main role is to be part of the wedding procession, and so anything beyond that is up to you to decide. If she is interested in helping and hosting the bridal shower, you can ask the rest of your wedding party to include her in it. You can also have her on your list to run errands, help with setting up wedding favors, purchasing the things needed for your wedding or even accompanying you to your shopping or dress alteration sessions. Young girls are usually eager to help with the tasks that others may find boring. For example, she may be the right person to help you assemble your wedding favors or to stick your wedding invitations. So, give her the responsibility to handle this task, and she will appreciate being asked for her help with the wedding.

7.Is there a pre-wedding function that she should be involved in?

Like we said earlier, it isn’t necessary for your junior bridesmaid to attend your bridal shower or bachelorette party. However, she should be invited to the rehearsal dinner, since she is very much a part of the wedding day ceremony. This will help you prepare her for her role on the wedding day. Since you will be having a rehearsal of what will happen on the wedding day, at the rehearsal, make sure she is there for it and understands her role well.

8.Does she need an escort when she walks down the aisle, and is there anything to take care of if she has one?

No! Your junior bridesmaid doesn’t need an escort for when she walks down the aisle. Unless you have an extra groomsman who can accompany her, it isn’t necessary to find someone to join her. She can walk all by herself and precede the rest of the bridesmaids in the processional, or else you can pair her up with another bridesmaid. Of course, there is nothing wrong in pairing her with an escort, if you have a suitable person for the task. The other interesting option is to have her and another bridesmaid accompany a groomsman on either side. This is not commonly seen, and so will be an interesting addition. When planning whether she should be escorted down the aisle, you can simply think of how the pairing will look. If it will be cute, it is alright. If it looks off or you are worried it may not be suitable to pair her off with someone who is several years older than her, let her walk down the aisle herself and enjoy those two minutes when all eyes are on her. The other option is to have her stand in the receiving line, if that is the best thing for her.

9.What is her role on the wedding day?

Apart from being part of the processional, she really has no other particular responsibilities to handle on the wedding day. If your junior bridesmaid is eager to participate and would love to help, you can always handle her responsibilities that she is capable of handling. She can be involved in helping the guests be seated, giving out programs or can help handle the gifts you receive at the reception. She can also be in-charge of handing out little bags with confetti or bubbles that will be used when the couple make their exit. Basically, this depends on the attitude and personality of the girl. If she would rather enjoy the party and mind her own business, let her be. Although she is a junior bridesmaid, don’t expect the same from her as you would with your other bridesmaids.

10.What do I gift her?

Like the rest of your bridesmaids, your junior bridesmaids also deserve a small gift as a token of appreciation for their involvement in your wedding. Since they are much younger than the rest of the group, it may not be a good idea to get them the same gift as the rest of the girls. Even when you have more than one junior bridesmaid, it is good to get them individual gifts that match their personalities. Go with their age and their taste, and you are bound to find something they will appreciate. Set a budget and shop like you would for their birthday. You can always customize your gift with a monogram or in the theme colors of your wedding, if you prefer. Or, if you are in doubt, it is best to consult their parents and find out what would be an ideal gift. For older girls, you can even gift a voucher to their favorite store, so they can pick whatever they like. Generic gift suggestions that usually work include personalized jewelry like necklaces with a pendant matching the letter of their name or small monogrammed tote bags with a small extra like a bridal Barbie doll inside.

You now have all the necessary information you need to know about having junior bridesmaids in your wedding party. To choose the fantastic dress for these young girls, so they are a beautiful addition to your wedding party, visit our bridesmaids dress collection at Best for Bride. All the dresses featured above belong to this collection, and you can find even more fantastic dresses for your favorite young girls. Pick both your junior bridesmaids dresses and the rest of the attire for your wedding party from our fabulous bridal party collection and find the best deals possible.

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Autumn Allure: A Comprehensive Guide to Picking the Perfect Fall Wedding Color Palette!

The wedding look you plan to have should center around the colors you choose for your wedding theme. You do not have to be an artist to create a beautiful wedding color palette, you can find inspiration everywhere and work with it to create the colors that will make your wedding venue what you always envisioned it to be.

If you are planning your wedding in fall, we have the perfect ideas to help you find your wedding colours. The three most important things to consider in order to find a winning combination are

  • Consider the venue where you are to be married
  • Please make the most of the season and exploit it to find a winning combination
  • Consider the style of your wedding and decide on the color combinations.

Let us take a closer look at each of these points.

1.Consider the venue where you are to be married

Your wedding location plays a huge role, as it influences the effect of your color palette. The same color combination works differently in different settings, as the nature of lighting, disbursement of color and other aesthetic elements in the venue contribute to the overall effect. There is no specific order in which you have to work; you can either choose the venue first and then decide on your palette, or first choose your wedding color palette and then look for a suitable location.

Either method has it’s own pros and cons. In the first case, you will have to limit your color choices to those that will work well in the natural ambiance of your chosen venue. If it is a venue with signature décor attached to it or strong colors that stand out, you may have to come up with a combination that will blend in or complement the existing colors on site.

In the second case, you will have certain colors in mind already. In this scenario, you will have to choose a venue where these colors look good. This can limit your options, as not all venues will equally yield to all color palettes. The alternative is to switch to darker or lighter shades of what is on your palette and make a few necessary changes, so it works well in the setting.

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2.Make the most of the season and exploit it to come up with a winning combination

Fall is a wonderful time to get married. Not only is it romantic, the weather is just perfect being neither too cold, nor warm. In fact, fall weddings are almost as attractive as spring weddings, if not better. A certain beauty is associated with the natural colors of fall, and it offers enough inspiration to help you plan a spectacular day. Deep, dark hues and rich indulgent colors add a luxurious touch to the natural environment, and these colors can render beautiful combinations at your wedding as well.

The color combinations mainly focus on shades of red, orange and purple with a refreshing mix of greens, yellows, blues and peaches thrown in. These are some of the signature colors we immediately associate with autumn. Weave your wedding color palette around them, and you cannot go wrong.

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3.Consider the style of your wedding when you decide the color combinations

We know that some colors work better for certain wedding styles than others. While certain color combinations are inherently elegant and classic, others are joyful and fun. You have to find this balance when planning your colors for a unique wedding style. Here is a quick guide to choosing colors that work well together for different wedding types of weddings.

  • Fresh and light colors like peach, pale yellow and glassy green look great in outdoor weddings. You can complement them with accent colors like pink or turquoise for a touch of drama. Other fall colors include maroon, gold, ochre, rust, brown and purple.
  • For indoor weddings in formal settings, consider working with metallics like gold, silver or copper to add sophistication to your classic wedding palette. These metals work best with dark solid colors like navy and red, but you can also try combining them with lighter shades.
  • White is a simple, but beautiful solution for almost any venue, and especially in those that have bright colors in the walls, décor or carpets. By using white in plenty, you can add pops of your favorite colors into the décor. These won’t clash with the existing ones as white will balance it out.
  • Dusty colors should be used with caution in autumn weddings. Either mix them in with bright complementary colors or with dark shades. They can otherwise look faded and dull.

Every bride wishes to have a wedding that is unique, and the colors that you incorporate into your wedding palette play a huge role in achieving it. Here are the steps you should follow to find your color palette and fine-tune it, so it is just perfect for your big celebration.

1.Set up a wedding inspiration board

This is the first step towards planning your wedding palette. Refer to our article on creating your wedding inspiration board to find out what you need to get started. Once you have your setup ready, start collecting and pinning pictures that you like, to it. Slowly, you will observe a pattern emerging, and this will help you move on to the next step.

2.Choose one or two favorite colors

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Take a look around you. Your wardrobe, favorite décor items and your inspiration board will help you choose one or two main colors to focus on. To make this easier, from your inspiration board, first eliminate those that you are not sure about. Next, pull out your favorite combinations so you can zero in on the common colors that you seem to be attracted to. Choose your favorite one or two bold colors from this list. Alternately, you may already have a color, flower or décor item that you must have. Then go with this as the starting point for your wedding color palette. The next step is to find the complementary colors that will set the mood for your wedding.

3.Choose complementary colors

Once you know the bold colors that you will use in your wedding palette, the next step is to find the complementing colors that will create the mood you want for your wedding. Refer to the color wheel for help. Two basic rules to find the best complementary colors are

  • Choose from colors that are neighbors to your chosen main colors. These will help create an elegant combination, that is best suited for formal and classic styles
  • Choose from colors that are directly opposite to the main colors your choose. These brighten up the main color in your palette, and should be your go-to choice for casual and fun styles.

You can experiment with light and dark shades of your chosen colors to find a combination that you love. Also add neutrals to balance it out appropriately. Consider adding a single metallic shade into your palette, if you want more sophistication or bling. Since each choice can drastically alter the ambiance, make sure to choose between gold, silver, copper or colored metallics with due care.

3.Decide where which color will be incorporated

This is a very detailed process. You will have to determine how your décor settings will be, the colors the bouquets should contain, how your table settings will feature your chosen colors and how your wedding party will reflect your color selection. Remember that you do not have to put in too much of the bold color for an impact. Sometimes, you can achieve more effect by adding pops of it as an accent color in your décor. Here are some factors to consider in this regard.

Bridesmaids dresses: If your bold color is an unusual shade, like berry or peach, that won’t flatter the skin tone of your bridesmaids, consider using the mix ‘n’ match trend when choosing their dresses. Read more about it here and here. Otherwise choose their dresses in the neutral colors in your palette and weave in the bold colors through accessories and flowers.

Wedding party: It is necessary to bring the looks of the bridesmaids and the groomsmen together and there are several ways to go about it. Make sure that the main colors of your palette are included in the right mix, without simply adding it in bulk. You could choose ties with a pattern that includes the main colors, but with taste. Or the boutonniere could have flowers in the main colors, while the rest of the outfit is simple.

Bouquets: If the main colors in your palette aren’t easily available in flowers, choose a neutral colored bouquet instead, and bring the color in through accessories like the ribbon. This is better than choosing the closest match, which can offset the intended effect entirely.

Decor: Be careful with how much color you add and where. Too many bold colors can tire the eyes, and your guests may feel the arrangement is too cluttered. So, balance out your décor with plenty of neutrals, and use your bold colors in small and properly balanced quantities. Add complementary colors when it is a huge display, so they are more effective.

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Food: Keep the food colors simple, and rely on colorful stationery instead. While colorful desserts and few bright dishes may be appealing, too much of it may look unappetizing and artificial. Instead, add the color into the setting using colorful stationery for food labels and in centerpieces and napkins, to make it interesting.

Cake: Colorful cakes may look interesting. Nevertheless, not everyone finds it very palatable. The better option is to choose a design that has the right balance of the colors added through accessories like ribbons, flowers and other cake toppers. Autumn wedding cakes look best when decorated with berries, deep flowers and silky ribbons and soft glitter.

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4.Tweak the details till you are satisfied

Be calm and composed, and approach the process of getting your colors right, one step at a time. It can become overwhelming, but dividing it into separate projects and handling only one aspect at a time is tricky. While inspiration boards are helpful, don’t depend on it for everything. Add your own touches to what you find, and work with what you have. You always have scope for enhancements, so add improvements and changes, so you have something new.

A very important thing to remember is that there is nothing called perfection. It is your satisfaction that matters. When you like what you see, stop and mentally note that you have done this right. This will allow you to relax and enjoy what you have, instead of wishing for something better. Get the opinions of your friends and family, or enlist their help with getting certain aspects right. Nevertheless, don’t lose track of the big picture. Recognize when it is time to stop obsessing with your color palette and focus on the other important things about your wedding.

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Now that you are armed with all that you need to know about planning your color palette for your fall wedding, you are all set to begin. We suggest that you take a look at this color guide on Magnetstreet for some winning color combinations that work beautifully in autumn. They have done a wonderful job of sorting out each palette according to the mood the combination creates. So, whether you want a tangy vibe or a poetic wedding combination, you have the starting point to build your palette.  You can also visit Wedding Paper Divas here for some more color combinations that scream autumn!

To find bridesmaids’ dresses and choose invitations, décor or cakes in any of these color palettes, visit us online at Best for Bride. Use our wedding services to make your dream wedding colours come to life.

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How Choose The Right Wedding Party

The big date is set, you’ve got a deposit on your venue and you’ve narrowed down it down to two choices for your wedding colors. Now it’s time to make the next important decision…your wedding party! Like any other choice for your wedding, this will take a lot of thought and heart from both you and your partner. It’s a decision that can impact the rest of your lives since you’ll have pictures and video of these people sharing your special day with you. Even though you’ve always pictured your cousin in your wedding as a little girl, the fact that you don’t talk to her much might not make for a great decision to add her as one of your bridesmaids now that you’re adults. Here are some helpful tips on choosing the right wedding party:

1. Include close family

If you have brothers and sisters, they should be the first ones you think of including. Or maybe you’re aunt is like a second mother to you or your significant other’s cousin was like a brother to him – whatever it is, think about adding close family before you go adding close friend. Family will always be there for you so it’s likely that they’re going to be there for your 10th anniversary. And don’t invite just any family members; make sure they hold special meaning for you and your fiancé.

2. Be realistic about the size of your wedding

Flickr
Flickr

We’ve all scene beautiful Pinterest pictures with large wedding parties, but just because it looks nice for pictures, doesn’t mean it’ll work for your wedding. Obviously, you can have as many as you wish, but having too many might cause problems in your wedding party. It’ll be hard to coordinate things with too many conflicting schedules and if you’re fronting money for things like dresses, flowers, etc. for your wedding party, it can get expensive. On average, people usually like to go with a wedding party of 8 (four guys, four girls).

3. Set your wedding party goals

According to the Knot, it’s good to ask yourself what kind of role you want your wedding party to play during your wedding planning journey. This way, you can choose responsible friends and family members who you know will want to help out and help you plan everything.

4. Chose responsible people

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Of course, you’re going to want all those in your wedding party to be responsible, but you want the maid of honor and the best man to be especially responsible since they will have special duties at the wedding. You don’t want to choose a flake even if it’s your best friend. If this is the case, it’s totally acceptable to have two maid of honors and best men! Only because you want someone who will be there with you to go dress shopping, etc. And speaking of dresses, make bridesmaid dress shopping a whole lot easier by getting everything at Best for Bride!

Best for Bride is a bride’s one-stop wedding shop! With thousands of wedding gowns, mother of the bride/groom dress, bridesmaid dresses and all sort of accessories, it’s the only place a bride needs to go to find the perfect dress for her special day!