Here's some back story before we get into the dilemma: I come from a very large family. Both of my parents have 6 siblings, so, as you can image, I have a ton of cousins. I only have 5 cousins who are around my age.
Well, I recently picked my bridal party. My fiance and I had decided we wanted 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen. I have 2 sisters, 2 cousins and 1 aunt (who I am very close to-I'm named after her) who will be bridesmaids and then my cousin who is a bridesmaid has a daughter who will be a flowergirl.
At the family gathering for Easter yesterday, my family was talking about the wedding and who the bridesmaids were. One of my aunts has 5 daughters and one of her daughters is a bridesmaid. When she found out that she and her other 4 daughters were not going to be bridemaids she burst into tears and left the gathering. Afterwards, told one of my aunts that she feels that she and I have a "special connection" and that she should have been in the bridal party.
I would love to have all of my family involved, but there are just too many people in my family to do that. How do I explain to her that I didn't mean to hurt her feelings and that I want her involved, but I can't have her or her other daughters as bridesmaids?
Sorry this is so long and thanks for the help!