As soon as you announced your engagement (or let’s be honest, as soon as your new groom-to-be let on he was going to propose) your friends have been sitting on the sidelines idly waiting to be asked to be a part of your wedding party. Though this can be one of the most exciting parts for your friends, there may be a friend or two who will be disappointed in the fact that they were not invited to be a part of your bridal party.

But let’s rewind a bit: just who are you going to invite to be part of your bridal party?  If you have a lot of sisters, female cousins, sisters-in-law and girlfriends, choosing just who is going to be the maid of honor or a bridesmaid can quickly induce a massive migraine.  So who do you choose?

The Maid of Honor

The maid of honor is the greatest honor that anyone of the entire wedding party will receive (apart from the best man, of course).  The maid of honor, for a lot of rides, is a “no-brainer”.  A best friend who has been through it all with the bride, or a trusted family member such as a sister or a close cousin, are almost always the maid of honor.  The maid of honor will have a lot to do for your wedding, both prior to the day and on the day-of, so you want to be sure that the person you choose is someone who loves you, who is looking out for your best interests, and who is reliable.

NOTE:  It’s not uncommon these days for a bride to ask her mother to be her matron of honor.

The Bridesmaids

Here’s where things tend to get a big foggier, especially if you do have a lot of trusted, close friends who you love and would like to be a part of your big day.  The most common amount of bridesmaids that are seen at any wedding are around 4, including the bridesmaid, though it can go up to 6 if you have a larger wedding (over 200 people).  Deciding who is a bridesmaid may come down to:

• Who have you known the longest?
• Who is the most reliable and dependable of the bunch?
• Who has expressed desire to be a part of the bridesmaid party?
• Who has experience in planning weddings?

Before you begin planning a wedding, it’s hard to understand just how much planning and organization is required.  You will need bridesmaids who you can depend on, who are available to help you out where you need them, and who are supportive and helpful.  You do not need a bridesmaid who wants to be a bridesmaid simply so she can be a part of the “big show”.

The Flower Girl

If you have a daughter or daughters, then the choice is easy.  If you have numerous nieces or younger cousins, the choice can be hard.  Try to ask each of the girls if they have any interest, and if any do, consider having them as a flower girl.  Who said you had to stop at only one?