Who makes the cut for your wedding party?

Do you have a big family…or lots of close friends? You could have a tough decision ahead of you in choosing WHO is going to be part of your wedding party! For some, it comes easy because they can pick their siblings or other family members, for others who have lots of special people (not just family) in their lives it can be a really challenging decision.

How many people should I have in my wedding party?

Picking your wedding party shouldn’t be hard…so they say…but to be honest, it really is! You want to think of people who know you well, are organized, and are respectful of your wishes. Truth be told, not all of us have this unicorn of a person in our back pocket.

At The GrandWay, we obviously have seen a lot of weddings, so we consider ourselves experts when it comes to understanding the support a couple needs on their big day.

To start, the more people in your bridal party the more people you have to organize, plan for, pay for, etc. This is not only difficult to manage from a budget standpoint but also it won’t help your stress levels. Have you heard of the phrase “herding cats”? Well, having a lot of people in your bridal party is a very similar experience.

So how do you pick your wedding party?

When choosing your wedding party, begin by thinking about what you’ll need them to do. Will they be planning a shower, bachelorette/bachelor party, and other aspects of your wedding (decor, food, etc.)? Will they need to interact with your family, friends, and/or more? You’ll also probably need to ask them to invest time and money as well. Overall, this is a big ask! 

It’s best to discuss the budget, schedule, and any other needs that you may have prior to or on your big day with each individual bridal party member. If you set your expectations upfront, it will be easier to get buy-in and an understanding from each person. The last thing you want to do is spring a huge cost or schedule change on them because they may not be able to afford it or won’t be able to take the time off. This can cause drama, and if you don’t like drama, then a slimmed-down wedding party may be less stressful for you.

Overall, a smaller wedding party is the easiest to manage, but maybe that’s not in the cards for you because you have a big family or a lot of friends. If that’s the case, then set your expectations upfront by being clear on what you need them to help you with along the way.

No matter how many people stand next to you on your wedding day remember your day is all about YOU! 

Large or small wedding parties, The GrandWay is here to support you throughout your wedding planning. Count on us to make sure your big day goes off without a hitch! Contact our wedding coordinators here.