Too many bridesmaids?

[Deleted User]

What is too many bridesmaids for a wedding of 200 guests?

egammo3

I have 2 MOH, 6 BM's for 175-200 guests wedding, and I think everyday of how I should've kept it at 5, but FI wanted a big BP. I love my BP, but its so hard to get all 8 women together at one time.

louisianablue

In the South, there is no such thing as too many bridesmaids.  I am having 6 bridesmaids and over 300 guests, but I have been the 11th bridesmaid before.

I think you have too many when the bridal party is bigger than the guest list.

meganb1977

I'm having matron of honor plus four for a wedding of 75 guests.  I think anything goes and it's whoever you want to include.

[Deleted User]

what about 12? : )

saintsgurl

In the South or not, I think over 6 is ridiculous. The more bridesmaids you have the more hassle. It depends what you want to deal with. Are you traveling from your ceremony to the reception? Can 12 fit in a limo? 12 groomsmen too? That's 24 people to transport and keep track of the day of. Do you have a space to get ready in that everyone can fit in. Will dress shopping be a hassle with 12 girls agreeing on a dress? Does your reception or ceremony site have the space to pose 24 wedding party members for your group photos? Do you have the budget for 12 bridesmaids bouquets? You'll have to plan an extra hour for your photo time. Half that time will just be trying to find and organize all those people. Can all 12 girls be ready on time with hair and makeup? The more women the more drama for events like showers and bachelorette parties. I would select a few and give the other girls you are considering parts in your wedding such as being a reader, usher or bridal attendant. 

Sarahgetmarried

I was once in a wedding where the bridal party was 40, crazy! 

egammo3

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_louisiana-new-orleans_many-bridesmaids?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:84Discussion:fd513414-c660-486c-828a-cbf98f6b921cPost:376385c7-e719-4c97-babf-7329fc56a20e">Re: Too many bridesmaids?</a>:
[QUOTE]In the South or not, I think over 6 is ridiculous. The more bridesmaids you have the more hassle. It depends what you want to deal with. Are you traveling from your ceremony to the reception? Can 12 fit in a limo? 12 groomsmen too? That's 24 people to transport and keep track of the day of. Do you have a space to get ready in that everyone can fit in. Will dress shopping be a hassle with 12 girls agreeing on a dress? Does your reception or ceremony site have the space to pose 24 wedding party members for your group photos? Do you have the budget for 12 bridesmaids bouquets? You'll have to plan an extra hour for your photo time. Half that time will just be trying to find and organize all those people. Can all 12 girls be ready on time with hair and makeup? The more women the more drama for events like showers and bachelorette parties. I would select a few and give the other girls you are considering parts in your wedding such as being a reader, usher or bridal attendant. 
Posted by saintsgurl[/QUOTE]

I totally agree with you. Getting all the girls in one spot has been stressful, trying to contact them all has been stressful, thinking about BP gifts for all of them has been stressful. 

RYLZ

Maybe 12 would work for someone allowing their BMS to choose their own dresses, is having the ceremony and reception in one place, isn't concerned about group photos, wont have a headtable and doesn't plan on pricey bouquets.  I think 12 would be way too many for me but that's because our wedding will have a lot of moving parts and is a DW.  I have 7, and I still find it's a lot of people to keep track of.  One more groomsman and we wouldn't have been able to fit in a stretch limo.

You know best how much organizing, and tracking you're capable of  so I would let that, and logistics guide your decision.  If you mean is there some 'rule' about how many Bms you should have, I read somewhere that one per 50 guests is a good guideline but I think it's totally a personal decision/preference depending on your capabilities and logistical restrictions.

Also, keep in mind the rehearsal dinner-- with my 7 and my fiance's 9, significant others and parents, we're up to 41!  It's almost like hosting a whole other wedding! And like PP said, bridal party gifts add up too.

LOLways

Here's my stats:

250 guests

2 MOH

6 BM

Yes, it's kind of a lot, but since I have 2 sisters and 1 FSIL I had to include, whether or not I wanted to, I had to expand the # to include friends. I debated only having 6, but decided that it's my day and if I want to be a turd bride and have 8 BM's total, then oh well.

It's completely up to you, the argument can be made either way.

Perhaps consider the size of the church and whether 24 BP members will fit horizontally inside?

sammyjames

Why does it matter how many guests you have?  Should be your call, regardless of size.  I have 300 guests and 5 bridesmaids.  It's worked out great.

BRIANNAT711

I am having 

 230 guests

2 MOH 

7 BM

Has it been peachy the entire time? No, I have had a little extra hassle but that is mostly becuase a few of them live in TX and CA and NY but I love my girls, Choosing a dress wasn't very difficult, they all knew I would stick within their budget but the color and design was my choice since it is my wedding and they have all cooperated with that. Anyone who challenges your decisions in your BP should be reminded that they agreed to do this and it is your wedding and if they do't like it, they can excuse themselves from the BP and attend the wedding as a guest. I wasn't too concerned with the extra costs associated with more bouquets, gifts, larger rehearsal dinner etc. since my budget isn't very small but if you are opperating on a smaller budget, definitely consider the extra costs! If you really want 12, trust me, there are ways to make it work becuase south or not, etiquette rules be damned, at the end of the day it is your wedding and you can do WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!!!!! Best of luck!

CMB3912

I say do whatever makes you happy! However, as a soon-to-be bride on the tail end of the planning process, I would strongly suggest thinking long and hard about who you want in your bridal party!! I have 7 BM and 1 MOH and that has been PLENTY! I love them all dearly, and I appreciated everything they are doing for me, but I may have reconsidered having so many girls in my bridal party knowing what I know now. The larger the bridal party, the harder it is to organize everyone and all of the details. Especially if all of the girls don't know each other well. I have a few childhood friends, some college friends, and some soon-to-be family, so it's a pretty disjointed group. They don't always communicate with each other, so sometimes everyone doesn't get the message. That means I usually end up having to step in to make sure all of the girls stay in the loop, which is really just an added stress... 

Also, if you're on a budget, you'll want to keep in mind that you will most likely be buying gifts for all of these girls. If you have a bridal luncheon, you will probably be paying for that. Rehearsal dinner, paying for them there again... So the more girls you have, the more expenses add up on your end.

I say stick with only your nearest and dearest friends and family, that you just could not picture yourself being up on that altar without. If that ends up being 5 or 15 girls, so be it! Good luck!