How To Choose Your Bridal Party

Choose those that will stand by your side as you go from Miss to Mrs

Many moons ago, this blog might have been titled How to Choose Your Bridesmaids, but times have changed, and not every bridal party is made up of bridesmaids anymore.

Your wedding party can include anyone you want—male or female. You can even have your granny walk down the aisle!

Personally, I’m dying to see a “flower man” in action—you know, the guy who confidently struts down the aisle, tossing rose petals like confetti.

So, let’s dive into how to choose your wedding party, bridesmaids, or whatever you want to call them!

Forever friends

Picking the dream team!

Your wedding day is one you’ll remember forever

(says the woman who got married at 17 and still remembers it 40-odd years later).

Picking the people who will support you leading up to the big day and stand by your side during it is no small feat.

You want to make sure it’s the right choice for you and them (Not everyone wants to be part of a wedding party)

what kind of bride are you with the celebrant angel aberdeen, humanist weddings aberdeen

Is it gonna be family?

Traditionally, people start by picking family members for their wedding party, and that might be a good place for you to begin.

But it doesn’t have to be family if doesn’t feel right for you.

So, let’s start by thinking: Do you have any sisters, cousins, or friends who feel like family to you?

Who’s been there for you through the ups and downs of your relationship?

Who’s been a constant presence in your life?

Who do you see sticking around for years to come?

Are these the people that will make it a memorable day for you?

photo of a bride and her bridal party from the blog how to choose your bridal party with mary gibson the celebrant angel aberdeen weddings aberdeen

What does the bridal party do?

Being part of a bridal party isn’t just about showing up in a fancy dress, kilt, or suit and looking fabulous—there’s a bit more responsibility than that.

So, you’ll need people you can count on, people who won’t lose the rings or get lost on the way to the venue.

You’ll also want folks who can keep you calm when things get hectic but who know exactly when to crank up the excitement.

So, let’s think:

Who in your “family” is organized and dependable?

Who can handle the wedding stress without crumbling?

And who has the time (and patience) to help out when needed?

Anyone in mind yet?

Bridal party dynamics

As you can imagine, your dream team will need to work together pretty closely.

So, do the people you’re thinking about actually get along?

You definitely don’t want to add more stress to an already intense time by dealing with personality clashes within your bridal party.

A few things to consider:

Does everyone play nice? (Especially if you’re having more than one person in the group!)

Will they work together without turning every task into a reality TV drama?

Choosing a group that vibes well together will help ensure that the planning process goes as smoothly as possible—at least on the people side of things!

Who gets a say in choosing the bridal party?

Now, here’s where you might face some pressure from various circles—family, old friends, or even that one in-law who’s always has an opinion.

But remember, this is your day, and your bridal party should consist of people you’re genuinely comfortable with, not just those you feel obliged to include.

So, ask yourself:

Are you picking someone out of obligation or because you genuinely want them there?

Is there anyone you’d regret not including if you let others sway your decision?

Don’t feel like you must include someone to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings.

You’ll hear me say this more than once about wedding planning:

This is your day, your way, so do it your way.

photo of bride and her bridesmaid from the blog how to choose your bridal party with mary gibson the celebrant angel aberdeen weddings aberdeen

Lets talk numbers

There are no rules here—feel free to have one, two, or as many as you want, whatever is right for you.

Heck, you can even choose to have none if that’s what suits you best.

If you just want a maid or man of honour, that’s totally cool, too.

It’s all about quality over quantity. It’s better to have the people who truly matter to you in your bridal party rather than just filling spots because someone says you need a certain number.

Explain your expectations

So, you’ve got your bridal party sorted—excellent job!

But have your discussed your expectations with them?

It would be wise to have these conversations early to ensure everyone’s on the same page and excited about their role.

Here are some questions to consider:

Do they have the time to commit to the responsibilities you’ll need from them?

Is there anything about the role that makes them nervous or unsure?

What do they think their role involves?

By addressing these questions early on, you’ll have plenty of time to make adjustments if needed and avoid any last-minute surprises.

So, there you have it—your ultimate guide to picking the perfect bridal party!

Whether you’re choosing a squad of old friends, family members, or that quirky neighbour who always has an opinion, remember: it’s all about having a crew that makes you laugh and keeps the stress at bay.

Don’t stress if you end up with a smaller or larger group than people think is normal.

At the end of the day, this is your day your way (see told you you’d hear it again), so make it as fabulous and fun as you are.

Now go on, assemble your dream team and get ready for a day that’s uniquely you!

And when you’re ready to choose your celebrant, pop over for a chat, see if I’m the girl for you