Getting other friends involved

futuremain

I wanted to keep the wedding party small, just my 2 sisters and 2 best friends but I feel bad leaving out my other good friends.  I don't want them to feel left out since they're all really important to me but I also don't want to ask them to be a guest book girl or honorary bridesmaid since those jobs aren't enjoyable.  I'm going to invite them to the bridal shower and bachelorette party to keep them involved, but I want something for on the day.  Ideas??

vulpiepop

Being a guest is the most enjoyable but that's just me. I don't think you need to give them any jobs for them to feel involved in your wedding. The fact that they were invited to witness you and your FI tie the knot would be enough for most people. 

If you feel that you want them to be a little more involved, you can have then do readings during the ceremony if they want or you can let them help you pick some music for the reception: maybe they have a favorite song they'd like to dance to?

Jen4948

You can ask them to be bridesmaids, ushers, readers, or guests, all of which are "honors" and "include" whoever you are asking. But there is no other role to offer them. As you note, they are not free laborers. Unless they volunteer to do so, it's not their job to plan or attend parties for you, shop with or for you, do DIY things with or you, or do setup or cleanup work for you.

[Deleted User]

Just let them get ready in the calmness of their own home.  Allow them to sleep in, get dressed at their leisure, and I'm sure they'll be relaxed enough to be especially happy for you.

sarahufl

Being a guest is way better. I had a very small bridal party and invited the people who would have been BMs had I gone with something larger to my shower and b-party. Similarly, I have attended showers, etc for friends who I am not BMs for.

I love being able to just show up at their weddings and have fun in an outfit of my choosing.

climbingsingle

Just let them be guests. Seriously. They'll appreciate it. 

aurianna

I went to a wedding of an old roommate and she just asked her sisters and her sorority sister to be her bridesmaids but she invited me and our other roommate out with her to get mani/pedis the morning of the wedding. She also invited us to get ready with her that morning (but by no means pressured us. It was an out of town wedding for us and we had nothing better to do that morning so we were happy to go). We went with her to the salon and when we were already there she surprised us by offering to pay to have our hair done (again though, no pressure to). And before the wedding she gave us corsages.

Because there were no expectations, these things were all really nice.


Also, if any of these friends seem interested in your wedding and ask you questions about it, feel free to share plans / ask for opinions when prompted.


But as PPs have said, being a guest in itself is an honor.
I like the idea of asking them for any DJ requests ahead of time.
Also, I was just at a wedding where the bride and groom sought out guests for special pictures with them during the cocktail hour. They ended up sending a copy of the photo to us with their thank you card which was really sweet. Assuming they are willing and it doesn't take too much time from their evening, this could be fun too.

weddingcactus

A friend of mine had only two bridesmaids (including me) and let some of her other good friends hang out right before the ceremony while we finished getting ready in the bridal suite. It was a lot of fun having a group of girls hanging out and talking while we finished getting ready.