Here's the back story. I wanted to have 4 bridesmaids (ages 20 - 32) and 2 flower girls (2 and 6 yrs. old) and 4 groomsmen. I felt like a long processional seems a little over the top and can get long and for some reason I'm embarassed to have one. Then, one distant cousin who is 9 years old asked to be a flower girl and I couldn't say no to one which meant the rest of the first cousins who I was a lot closer to and the same age range had to be included. I thought they were too old to be flower girls so I made this group Jr. Bridesmaids (there are 4 of them). Then, my fiance had relatives come out of the wood work and we felt like we should have his cousins two daughters in the bridal party since she assumed they'd be invited and we didn't want to have kids attending who aren't in the bridal party. (It seemed like a good excuse to have some kids but not all.)
Basically we've ended up with 4 bridesmaids, 4 jr. bridesmaids, 4 flower girls (with little boy escorts in order to allow the other parents to bring their children who are 1st cousins and stilll abide by the bridal party/children rule) and a pair of identical twins as ring bearers. There are only about 100 guests for the wedding which includes the bridal party. In addition, myself and my FI have 2 sets of "parents' we'd like to walk down the aisle. I'm also assuming my mother will ask that my grandmother also walk down the aisle.
The question is, are there any short cuts so I don't have a 20 minute processional? Is there anyway for the Groomsmen to just apparate up front? Do the bridesmaids HAVE to walk down the aisle? Is there anyway I can send the Jr. Bridesmaids down as a group? What is the purpose of this processional? Is it so the parents of the Jr. Bridesmaids and flower girls etc. have a photo op, because if so - the group thing may not work. I was thinking that the bridesmaids and groomsmen could just go and stand up front, then the 4 sets of parents, 4 jr. bridesmaids, 4 flower girls, and the ring bearers follwed by myself. That was more of what I had in mind except it would have been the bridesmaids walking and not the jr. version. One perk is that my bridesmaids could care less if they have to walk down the aisle.
I'm obviously clueless and I also have a problem with saying "no" in fear of appearing rude.
Do you guys think I'm over thinking this...I just really didn't want a long processional, but even more so I didn't want to exclude my cousins once that distant cousin wanted "in".
Re: Question about a large bridal party.
Side note, I understand your reasoning...but as long as you say "ok, we'll fit that in" whenever someone asks/requests to do something you didn't already want, it's going to keep going this way. If you're ok with that, rock on. But it is ok to say no. Good luck with your planning!
[QUOTE]I agree with Stage. Side note, I understand your reasoning...but as long as you say "ok, we'll fit that in" whenever someone asks/requests to do something you didn't already want, it's going to keep going this way. If you're ok with that, rock on. But it is ok to say no. Good luck with your planning!
Posted by cbrown828[/QUOTE]
<div>This. I realize the ship has sailed, but you allowed a 9-year-old to direct your wedding plans.</div><div>
</div><div>Stage's idea sounds good. That way it's just a steady stream, like regular guests walking in. It won't be nearly as long that way. </div>
Maybe even send the little ones down first (before Jr and BMs). That way if they get nervous or cry it doesnt delay the ceremony.
[QUOTE]I agree with Stage. Side note, I understand your reasoning...but as long as you say "ok, we'll fit that in" whenever someone asks/requests to do something you didn't already want, it's going to keep going this way. If you're ok with that, rock on. But it is ok to say no. Good luck with your planning!
Posted by cbrown828[/QUOTE]
<div>This, again. </div>
The Procession
The basic Christian procession will go as follows:
Found on: http://www.maweddingguide.com/planning/weddingparty/lineup.htm
I totally agree with you about it being a moot point about letting a 9 yr old "hijack" yoour bridal party. The same thing happened to me. I have an 11 yr old cousin, who seems to think/remember that when she was 6, I told her she could be my flower girl (of course at the time I wasn't seeing anyone seriously and she asked, so I said "of course you can be my flower girl"). She has a siser and 2 cousins, all girls that are very close, so including one of them, and not the others would cause tears and tantrums that are not worth it. So I made her a jr bridesmaid and the other girls flower girls. We are just going to have the flower girls walk in pairs and, the bridesmaides (7 total), walk normally down the aisle. The groomsmen will be at the front of the church waiting after they enter from the side. I totally agree that it is easier to include people than to make people really upset/fight about it. It's a happy occasion and if it makes people really happy to feel included and only takes an extra minute or two, I think it is totally worth it