Hi Ladies...Congratulations on your engagement if you are reading this and recently got engaged. The first thing you probably want to do is tell everybody (go ahead!). The second thing you are probably thinking about is your bridal party- Please don't!
You do not need to pick your party until 6-9 months before the wedding. Please wait on picking anyone, especially if you have a long engagement. Friendships and relationships can change in a matter of months. There's a lot of girls on here that regretted picking who they picked etc. (Just go to the Wedding Party board).
When it comes time to pick, you do not need to have even sides. This is not a big deal, and nobody will notice- so whoever you want to be a part of it, have at it. Good luck!