How To Pick An All-Star Wedding Party

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Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life. Your life from that day forward will forever be different. You'll spend your life celebrating the happiest of moments and getting through the darkest days, all while being there for each other. So it is even more important that you ask your closest friends and family to be there for you as you say your vows to each other. Your wedding party will be made up of those who have your back and want the best for you and your spouse.

Size Matters

The size of your bridal party really depends on the size of your wedding. If you are throwing a casual shindig with less than 50 people in attendance, then it will be strange to have 20 people in your bridal party. If you are having a smaller wedding, you should have a smaller, more intimate bridal party. A larger, more formal wedding deserves a large bridal party.

A large party, like this one, would be best suited for a wedding with many guests. Photo via http://ow.ly/O8v74

Friendships

When you consider friends for your bridal party, you should consider the amount of time that your friendship has lasted. If you have been close to someone since you were both in diapers, then they might be considered as a bridesmaid or groomsman. If you have been extremely close to someone for the past four months, you may want to consider them for another job, such as an usher or guestbook attendant. Bridal party attendants should include friendships that have endured the test of time and that you are sure will remain after the wedding day.

Siblings

Siblings should usually always be considered for the wedding party. If they are not close in age, consider them as junior bridesmaids or junior groomsmen. Even if you do not know your soon-to-be-spouse's siblings very well, chances are good that you will get to know them better as time goes on. It is a good idea to make sure you include them in your wedding party.

Consider the Responsibilities

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Before you choose your maid of honor and your best man, be sure to think through all of that person's responsibilities. Remember that the best man gives a speech at the reception. You want that to go smoothly, and you don't want him to say anything that may offend the bride or anyone else at your wedding. Also remember that the maid of honor is responsible for the bridal shower. If she isn't a great planner or doesn't have time, you may want to consider another close person for the role. It is also important to remember that just because your best man is not a male or your maid of honor is not a female doesn't mean that they can't do the job: Try having a best woman or a man of honor instead.

Discuss the Role

When asking a friend or family member to be in your bridal party, be sure to discuss all of the responsibilities with them before they make a decision about whether or not they want to participate in that way. You may be asking someone when they don't have the time to devote to you at that point in their life. Someone else may not be able to commit to helping you with your wedding because of a job or a prior commitment. Always lay out all of the wedding details and expectations to the potential bridal attendant before they commit to your big day. You may be able to offer them a smaller commitment instead if they can't carry out all of the bridal attendant obligations.

Keep it Positive

Only ask friends and family members to be in your bridal party if they have only encouragement for you and your fiancé(e). If someone doesn't like the person you are marrying, they are not fit to accompany you on your big day. Only choose those who are 100% excited for you and can completely support you in your commitment to your spouse.

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