Here come the girls! What you need to know about choosing your bridesmaids.

There’s no doubt that you need your best girls by your side on your wedding day. Your girls have been there for you through thick and thin – what do you need to know about choosing your bridesmaids?

What is a bridesmaid’s role?

Bridesmaids are there to support you in the planning of your wedding and on the day itself. Your maid of honour/chief bridesmaid generally plans the hen party for you as well as being your right-hand woman on the day, holding your bouquet during the ceremony etc. All the bridesmaids can help with things like making decorations, sending out invitations, going to dress fittings, decorating the venue – you may want to share out any jobs between them.

What is the difference between a matron of honour/maid of honour and chief bridesmaid?

Matron of honour is used when your main bridesmaid is married, maid of honour is for when the girl is single. However, many married women do not like the connotations the word matron brings which has led to the term chief bridesmaid being used more frequently.

Who should I choose as bridesmaids?

The easiest answer is the people who you know will support you the most – wether that is your sister(s) or your best friend(s). Choose people who know you the best, who will be able to you the most love and support they can. 

Remember, you don’t have to have a bridesmaid, just as the groom doesn’t have to a best man.

My best friend is a guy – can I include him in my bridal party?

 Of course you can! If your best friend is a boy there is no reason why you can’t have a “bridesman”. Likewise, if your husband to be’s best friend is a woman he can have a “best woman” rather than a best man.

My friend asked me to be her bridesmaids – do I have to have her as mine?

Don’t feel you have to ask in return. 

How many is too many?

Etiquette suggests you should have one usher and corresponding bridesmaid for every 50 guests, so larger, more formal weddings may have larger bridal parties and smaller, intimate gatherings fewer. However, there is no hard and fast rule – many people suggest 10 as a limit.

 

Do they need to wear the same dress?

Woman have different body shapes, so finding a dress style a (and colour) to suit them all and that they all love could be difficult – another reason for having fewer bridesmaids! It is no surprise that a bride will often allow their bridesmaids to wear the same colour dresses in different styles or the same styles in different colours. Some brides are happy to let their bridesmaids choose their style and colour of dress, as long as it fits their wedding vision.

Can I ask my bridesmaids to pay for their dresses?

 Traditionally outfits are paid for by the the couple, but if you are on a budget, yes you cans them to contribute. Make sure you are up front about this from the beginning and remember if they are paying they may want more say in the final choice.

“Behind every dazzling bride is an effective crew of bridesmaids – the ladies who help the wedding loveboat sail without snags”      – Anonymous

Hope you find this useful, please do check out my blog for lots more wedding inspiration.