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How to pick your bridesmaids?
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How To Pick Your Bridesmaids?


Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio
Alison Hargreaves Updated:
11th of November 2022

How do you pick your bridesmaids without causing any drama?

It's the question that is often on people's minds when planning a wedding. For some, the answer of who to choose has been obvious for many years before the wedding. There may have been a close group of friends for a long time period, or maybe a close knit family or maybe even a large group of people who come from different areas of your life who you think would get on perfectly.

For others, it isn't that easy. You may not be close with family or you may be stuck in the middle of friendship groups that don't get on and that is difficult or even have too many options! Your ideas of who to ask may change daily and therefore we have created this blog to try and help you make that decision ahead of your special day.

How many bridesmaids should I have?

It is always difficult to know how many bridesmaids to have, but more is not always merrier! A good rule of thumb is to have one groomsman and one bridesmaid for every 50 guests - but that doesn't mean you need to invite a stranger to make a perfectly even number at the altar! Also, more bridesmaids mean more people have to agree on one dress! However, having a big group of friends and family around you as bridesmaids may mean you can distribute jobs easier which is great help in the lead up to and on your wedding day.

Make it easy to rely on them

If your friends are flaky and unreliable they are not the best people to ask to be part of the bridal party as it will cause more stress than you need. It is also important for you to consider how close they live you. If you are expecting your bridesmaids to hand write wedding invitations or make thousands of microscopic favours then your friend who lives in Timbuktoo is not the best idea. This is because you will then have these items that are important to you all over the place and you aren't able to see them for yourself necessarily. Not to mention the cost of getting them to your venue afterwards. We understand this is difficult especially if you are particularly friends with people from university or if a friend has recently moved away. As long as you carefully consider the drawbacks you will make the right decision for you.

Remember you don't have to stick to tradition

Sometimes, rules are made to be broken and you have make a decision that will make you happiest on your day. So if that means your male friend will be your bridesmaid there's nothing wrong with that! The person that knows you best will give you the best hen night, bridal shower and will make the day just the way you like it!

Don't forget to let them know

It is important to let people know who your bridesmaids are. There is nothing worse than the wait for that 'never-arriving' request to be your bridesmaid. A real friend will understand the decision you make. Once you have made your decision you can ask them in a special way and remember to make your bridesmaids feel appreciated. You could treat them to a spa day or have their hair and makeup done for the wedding. Remember happy bridesmaids makes a happy bride but don't put unnecessary financial strain on yourself in the process!

Alison Hargreaves Guides for Brides Bio

About the author


Alison Hargreaves

Alison has been advising brides, grooms and bridesmaids for more than 25 years. She has an unrivalled knowledge of the British wedding industry and frequently appears on podcasts and expert panels. She regularly attends international wedding conferences to keep the UK at the forefront of wedding planning trends.

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