Recently I came across an article highlighting the importance of choosing your bridesmaids wisely, hence I wanted to share some #WednesdayWisdom with my readers on this topic. This is something I have experienced first hand with many brides over the past 14 years as a wedding planner. To make my job and your day run smoother here is a simple guide on ‘how to choose your bridesmaids’
Asking your friends or family to be bridesmaids is one of the best parts of planning a wedding. They’ll be utterly delighted to be chosen and as a bride, it’s natural to want to ask everyone to join in – after all, you’re happy and it’s wonderful when your friends share it with you. But, we do hope you’ll give it some careful consideration. If not, you may find yourself looking back and saying ‘I wish I didn’t ask HER to be my bridesmaid!’
Here are key tips on making the right decision
- Don’t rush into a decision. You’ll be able to think more clearly once the engagement excitement settles down a bit
- If a friend approaches you on the topic don’t say yes just because you feel you have to. Just say that you haven’t thought about it yet
- Never feel obliged to ask someone because they asked you to be a bridesmaid at their wedding
- Having a large number of bridesmaids can be costly so take you budget into account
Image courtesy from buzzfeed.com
- Think of all the girls you’d like to ask, and which ones fit your idea of a perfect bridesmaid
- Ask yourself whether your top candidates are actually available to help – take into account where they live and their jobs.
- Are they fun, and are you able to relax in their company
- Are any of the bridesmaids planning their own wedding at the same time as you are – it might turn into a competition at a later stage
- Prepare to hear a ‘no’ and accept it graciously
Image courtesy from youngcatholicwomen.com
There are things to keep in mind when choosing your bridesmaids that are absolutely non-negotiable. If you come across one of the below then she is 100% not the right girl:
- She hates/disapproves of your other half, and you know it
- She’s openly jealous of your relationship
- She dislikes your family
- She’s completely unreliable and always late, full of excuses
- She has something negative to say about everything wedding related you’ve done so far
- She was a bridezilla at her own wedding
Needless to say, a girl who’s the opposite of this is the ideal candidate – bridesmaids should be supportive genuinely happy for you, reliable and you know she’ll be there when you need her. If she’s been a bridesmaid before, that’s an added bonus.
Good luck with the decision making and remember, its your big day so make sure you please yourself first and foremost.
