Huge Bridal Party

cbarron5880

How many is too many? I wanted to go with some siblings and close friends in the wedding party (would have been 7), BUT my younger siblings (Teens) are really hurt that they aren't in the bridal party. (Which would put me at 10 couples!)

sparent2010

How many guests are you having? 

cbarron5880

Guest list is a WHOLE OTHER issue!! =/

We both have really huge families, so guest list is about 150, I would say, and that is cutting it down allot. 

VeggieLove1022

I honestly think that's too big of a wedding party for 150 guests. We had almost 150 and only 2 on each side. I think maybe 4-5 on each side would look fine. Anything more would look silly IMO. Being a guest is also an honor.

sparent2010

With a guest list that size I think 10 is alot per side. Choose who you want up there. The only other thing I would have someone do is a reading or usher- Don't give them crap jobs 

Queen Jane

I had 5 BMs and H had 11 GM. He's lived in several cities and made close friends in each, so it was hard for him to cut it down. We were married on the front porch of an old mansion so we had some of them stand up on the porch and the rest stand along it on the patio, where my BMs were. We had 70 guests, including the WP. Thing is though, he wanted all of them there, it wasn't an obligation to have them in the WP. If they are truly your closest friends then include them, but don't do it just because you feel bad otherwise.

kmmssg

I think it is kind of crazy big but I want to point out a couple of things.

Every person in the BP represents a chunk of your budget.  You will need 10 bouquets, 10 bouts, 20 thank you gifts, and each person in the wedding party should be able to bring a date to your RD.  That is 40 people at your RD dinner.  See the dollar signs piling up yet?  People in the BP need to be allowed to have dates at the RD and the wedding.  They put an awful lot of money on the line and that is just courtesy.

Can you afford to have that many?  I think the logistics of dress shopping, showers, bach parties and whatever could get kind of crazy too.  It is a lot to think about.

mrandmrsrobert

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_chit-chat_huge-bridal-party?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:14Discussion:a87cb41f-4fde-4318-9eb3-b4f7221aa327Post:bbaea773-a947-4283-a46b-ca7e9557f5ec">Re: Huge Bridal Party</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it is kind of crazy big but I want to point out a couple of things. Every person in the BP represents a chunk of your budget.  You will need 10 bouquets, 10 bouts, 20 thank you gifts, and each person in the wedding party should be able to bring a date to your RD.  That is 40 people at your RD dinner.  See the dollar signs piling up yet?  People in the BP need to be allowed to have dates at the RD and the wedding.  They put an awful lot of money on the line and that is just courtesy. Can you afford to have that many?  I think the logistics of dress shopping, showers, bach parties and whatever could get kind of crazy too.  It is a lot to think about.
Posted by kmmssg[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I wish I would have thought about the extra costs involved.... in total counting children and ushers we have 19 people standing up with us. Ugh..... I love them all but am now wishing I would have listened more to my mom and not had everyone in. :( Oh well it will be nice and lots of people to help the day of  :)</div>

RamonaFlowers

Unless you're The Duggars and I know you have 20 siblings and are including each one of them, when I see 7+ people on each side, I tend to think one person just asked everybody they've ever been friends with without actually thinking about it, and the other one just started recruiting warm bodies so they wouldn't look "unpopular" to their guests.

cbarron5880

Thanks for pointing out the cost factor, that has been my argument for the people that are pro-little sisters..." But they buy their own dresses, it wont cost you anything"... but I see $$ as in RD, spa day, Thank you gifts. The reason I have the 7 i have chosen is because I am very close with them, and I cant see myself getting married without them by my side. The problem is we have some siblings in the WP, but not all. (We each have 6 siblings). I think I will take advice I read on another blog and have them wear dresses and walk in the precessional, buy them a corsage, but they sit in the front with parents, vs. standing up??

cbarron5880

so true. thanks.

Hilraythebride

Is there any other way you can honor your siblings?  If you are having a wedding at a church maybe have them do a readin, if it is a catholic mass have them bring up the gifts, how about a junior BM?  Maybe a brother could be an usher or help roll down the isle runner?  How about having them be an alter boy?

There are more ways than one to honor your family and or friends by having them participate in your wedding, especially if it is in a church!

Even if it isn't make them fel like part of the big day by giving them simple but yet important day of tasks like setting up the programs or getting any last minute items.  Poeple will be happy that you have thought of them highly enough to trust them with something on the day of and it will take stress of you on your big day!