Selecting your wedding party The number of attendants you choose for your wedding is generally determined by the size of the wedding, the wedding style and the budget. The general rule is to select your best man and maid/matron of honor, then select one groomsmen and bridesmaid for every fifty guests. This rule is meant to be broken and rarely followed. Here are the primary factors to consider when choosing your wedding party: Select an even number of bridesmaids and groomsmen because it offers a more balanced look and for those of you on a limited budget opt for a smaller wedding party. It is easier to manage and fit into your budget. With that said, let’s select your wedding party. Selecting the matron/maid of honor: No doubt about it, your closest friend or relative should be chosen for this major role. This is the person you will spend the most time with while preparing for your wedding. They will help you shop for your gown, brainstorm ideas, host your shower, plan the bachelorette party, make the party favors, and most importantly, offer moral support. On your wedding day, they will help you get dressed while offering many endearing compliments, carry the groom’s ring, hold your wedding bouquet, and sign the marriage license. Selecting the best man: The best man is traditionally appointed to the groom’s closest male friend or relative, but in today’s society the role may be filled by the groom’s sister or closest female friend. The best man’s primary role is to offer moral support. The best man will also offer advice, guidance in picking out wedding day attire, planning the bachelor party and acting as the groom’s right hand on the wedding day. He can also play chauffeur to the bride and groom on the day of the wedding and drive them to their wedding night hotel or to the airport for their honeymoon. Selecting bridesmaids: They can be close friends, family members or sorority sisters. Their main goal is to provide moral support. They may provide assistance in planning the wedding shower and/or organizing the bachelorette party. For that adorable niece, cousin or close friend of the family that is too old to be a flower girl but too young to be a bridesmaid, give them the honor of being a junior bridesmaid. They are typically between the ages of 9-16. The same will go for those adorable young men in your like that are too old to be ring bearers and too young to be a groomsmen, allow them fill the role of the junior groomsmen. Note: Keep your wedding party balanced so if you are going to have a junior groomsmen also select a junior bridesmaid. The photo ops will be flawless. Selecting groomsmen: They can be close friends, family members or fraternity brothers. Their main goal is to provide moral support and to assist the best man in carrying out his duties. They can assist in the planning of the bachelor party, direct guests to the reception site, and decorate the getaway car. Selecting the flower girl and ring bearer: You should consider asking your pretty little niece, cousin, or a close friend’s daughter. You may choose to have one or two flower girls. The flower girls range in age from 3 to 8 years old. Ring bearers are traditionally little boys between the ages of 3 to 5. The ring bearer’s role is to carry a decorative pillow bearing symbolic rings. (The real rings are usually held by the honor attendants) Selecting others to fill minor roles: To ensure that no one feels left out, consider appointing members of your family and close friends to serve as candle lighters, train bearers, readers, vocalists, and guest book attendants. You can never solicit too much help. Just make sure that everyone is fully aware of their individual task and remain organized. |
