Planning Your Wedding - 5 Rules For Choosing Your Bridal Party

While you and your partner are undoubtedly the stars of your wedding day, part of the joy comes from sharing the excitement and celebrations with your closest friends—your bridal party. It might seem simple to choose your friends, assign them titles, and move on, but there are a few important things to think about before you finalize your wedding party and start planning your wedding.

Here are five essential tips to help you select the right people for your bridal party—and ensure your wedding day runs as smoothly and joyfully as possible.

1. Start with Siblings

Siblings are a great starting point when choosing your bridesmaids and groomsmen. If they’re younger, they can take on roles like ushers or junior attendants. But if they’re closer in age, consider giving them a full role in the bridal party. And remember—there are no rules that say a bride can’t have her brother as a “bridesman” or a groom can’t have his sister as a “groomswoman.”

2. Prioritize Reliability

You might not need your bridal party to help plan every detail, but when you do need their support, you want to know they’ll be dependable. If someone in your circle is always late or hard to reach, they might not be the best fit—especially with dress deadlines and a tightly timed wedding day. Choose friends who are responsive, punctual, and proactive.

3. Consider Group Dynamics

Before you send out those “Will you be my bridesmaid?” gifts, think about how everyone will get along. Your bridal party doesn’t need to be best friends, but if someone tends to dominate conversations or stir up tension, that could lead to unnecessary stress. Aim for a group that’s friendly, easy-going, and can blend well together—keeping any drama far from your big day.

4. Be Budget-Conscious

Being in a wedding party can be expensive. Even if you’re covering some costs, things like travel, gifts, and pre-wedding events add up. If a friend is going through a financial rough patch, consider talking it through before extending an official invite. Let them know you'd love to have them involved, and offer alternative roles like doing a reading, giving a toast, or helping as an usher.

5. Keep Feelings in Mind

Sometimes, keeping your bridal party small is the best way to avoid hurt feelings and complicated choices. If you're torn between a tight-knit group of two or a sprawling group of ten, the smaller group might be less stressful. But if you’re leaning toward a larger party and there’s someone on the edge of your list, it might be worth including them to maintain harmony.

Now that you’ve got these five helpful tips, you’re ready to start choosing the perfect bridal party. Still unsure about how many people to include? Check out my blog post on how many bridesmaids you should have for more guidance.

If you’d like to chat more about this or need support with any other part of your planning, feel free to give me a call at 07445 276667 or send a message through my contact page.

Thanks for reading!

Emma Louise x