Wedding Party Size

kristenlink28

So I am planning a wedding in exactly one year.  I have been so excited and happy that I let my bridal party size get out of control ( I think ).  I have sisters and so does my fiance, plus we both have a total of 6 nieces.  I am now at 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsman, 3 junior bridesmaids, and 2 ring bears and 2 flower girls.  I want everyone in and don't know how out of control this is or if this does happen?  Any help is appreciated!

Calypso1977

have you asked all of these people already??

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-party-size?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2a582ddb-c7de-4a19-868a-6ea5b3bd3ce6Post:ae99ba21-ba8c-463e-8370-4bb37229c101">Re: Wedding Party Size</a>:
[QUOTE]have you asked all of these people already??
Posted by Calypso1977[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>This, because if you have, you are stuck.</div><div>
</div><div>How large is your wedding going to be? There's no real RULE, but if there are 50 people on the guest list, having 15 people on each side is a little silly, you know? </div><div>
</div><div>EVERYONE does not have to be IN it just because they are a niece or whatnot. We just found out FI's brother is dating someone, and she has a little boy. I'm not sticking the little boy in just because he could someday be our nephew. He'll be invited (even though no other kids are), but I don't even know him.

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JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-party-size?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:2a582ddb-c7de-4a19-868a-6ea5b3bd3ce6Post:277f745c-9fce-4b50-acaf-113e5de730fc">Wedding Party Size</a>:
[QUOTE]So I am planning a wedding in exactly one year.  I have been so excited and happy that I let my bridal party size get out of control ( I think ).  I have sisters and so does my fiance, plus we both have a total of 6 nieces.  I am now at 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsman, 3 junior bridesmaids, and 2 ring bears and 2 flower girls.  I want everyone in and don't know how out of control this is or if this does happen?  Any help is appreciated!
Posted by kristenlink28[/QUOTE]

Why do you have to have all the nieces in the wedding party?  A bridal party of 31 is a lot.  Remember, the bigger the bridal party, the bigger the expense and, most likely, the greater the stress.  Also, both sides don't have to be even. 

lyndausvi

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-party-size?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2a582ddb-c7de-4a19-868a-6ea5b3bd3ce6Post:26f8a71a-9d05-47fa-88ac-c158c86c878d">Re: Wedding Party Size</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Wedding Party Size : Why do you have to have all the nieces in the wedding party?  A bridal party of 31 is a lot.  Remember, the bigger the bridal party, the bigger the expense and, most likely, the greater the stress.  Also, both sides don't have to be even. 
Posted by JoanE2012[/QUOTE]

<div>Well I wanted all 5 of my nieces and 2 nephews in my wedding, so i did.   I also wanted DH's sisters.  So I did.  However, I decided to only have 1 friend.   </div><div>
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Summer2011Bride

If you have already asked all these people, then there isn't anything you can do. It would be very rude to "kick them out."

Even though it is a pretty big WP, if you are close to all these people and can't imagine getting married without them by your side, then it is what it is. It's fine to have a large WP.

RebeccaB88

This sounds like one hell of a cluster**** in the making. I hope you haven't officially asked them all, because if you have you're stuck with them.  If not, time to make some tough choices.  You're an adult, it's up to you to figure out how to say no when it needs to be said. Decide who YOU want, most of all, and stick with it. But if you already asked, then you need to figure out a way to deal with it.

kmmssg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_wedding-party-size?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:2a582ddb-c7de-4a19-868a-6ea5b3bd3ce6Post:277f745c-9fce-4b50-acaf-113e5de730fc">Wedding Party Size</a>:
[QUOTE]So I am planning a wedding in exactly one year.  I have been so excited and happy that I let my bridal party size get out of control ( I think ).  I have sisters and so does my fiance, plus we both have a total of 6 nieces.  I am now at 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsman, 3 junior bridesmaids, and 2 ring bears and 2 flower girls.  I want everyone in and don't know how out of control this is or if this does happen?  Any help is appreciated!
Posted by kristenlink28[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Well, let's talk about what this does to your budget.  You need 31 thank you gifts. (anytthing used for the wedding like jewelry is not a thank you gift).  For the rehearsal dinner each attendant must be allowed to bring their SO/fiance/spouse so just for your bridal party alone that is 55 guests, plus you guys, plus your families and anyone else you invite.</div><div>
</div><div>You also need flowers for all of those people whether it be bouquets or bouts. Before you get too carried away in any other planning, you need to budget those gifts, flowers, and places at your RD.  Does your budget support this?</div><div>
</div><div>I have to be honest, and this is just my opinion.  You got way too carried away.  I don't know you and I don't know your relationships with all of these people, but I would kind of side eye 33 people up at the altar.  Are you that incredibly close to all of these people or are you asking everyone because you are afraid of hurting someone's feelings?</div><div>
</div><div>The most important question though is this:  have you already asked them?  If so, there's no going back now.

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cwaggoner07

I have been in a wedding with 8 bridesmaids, and a wedding with 4. In the wedding with 8, I felt lost in the shuffle, like I was just another number. I barely even met the other bridesmaids the whole time.
When I was in a party of 4, I really got to know the other girls, and we really bonded over the wedding stuff. That's why I chose only 4 (and 2 flower girls, nieces of H). Between the 5 of us hanging out all day getting ready, it was so great. We all hung out as one little clique that morning, and no one felt left out, and everyone really felt like they were a part of the experience.

All that being said, if you have asked them, yeah, it's really too late to do anything about it.

misssunshine17

Ditto PPs. I would roll my eyes for a minute about that many people, but if you honestly could not imagine standing up there without each of those people, go for it. 

smartlypretty

It's not even the large size- I couldn't imagine trying to buy thank you gifts, flowers, rehearsal dinner meals, and possibly a limo? for some many people. It would cost a fortune.

I had a large-ish bridal party (8 on each side, no flower girls or ring bearers). But for 16 people, I probably spent about $2000 between flowers, limos, rehearsal dinners, and thank you gifts. It fit in my budet though, so it was fine. But you HAVE to make sure you budget for this.