Hello, ladies. I'm new to the boards. (I've been lurking for about a week.) I would love some thoughts from those of you who have been through the trenches on this one.
Background: We are inviting 130 people to our wedding but due to many of the guests being spread across the country and the time of year for the ceremony (December), we expect about 60 - 70 guests. So it won't be a huge wedding by any stretch of the word. And it will be an afternoon wedding.
Bridesmaid Dilemma: I am blessed to have 7 women I would like to have in my wedding. But with 7 of those women included in the guest list, it might be a bit much to have 14 of the 60 or 70 people (7 bridesmaids and 7 groomsmen) as part of the wedding party. At least that's what my mom and sister and a good friend (who would be a bridesmaid) have suggested. They've all individually said that it might look like no one is in the pews.
So, alternatively, I am considering having my sister and three flower girls. I am very close with my sister and none of my friends would be offended by having just my sister. Although some of my friends had hoped and/or expected that they would be a bridesmaid. I am blessed to call these women friends and do want them to be a part of this day. But I don't want to look silly. This is my first wedding. I'm 36. And I don't know that I can see things clearly as the bridesmaid decision (for me) is definitely an emotional decision. Oh, and the youngest bridesmaid is 31 and the oldest is 40. If that adds anything to the discussion. And due to the makeup of the bridal party and not wanting anyone to get hurt feelings, it would have to be all 7 women plus the flower girls or just 1 woman (my sister) plus the flower girls.
Questions for your opinions, etc.:
1) 7 Bridesmaids for a small wedding - is that just plain ridiculous?
2) Does my sister as the maid of honor and three flower girls sound okay instead?
3) Would it be okay to host a brunch the day of the ceremony for these women who would otherwise be bridesmaids? To have them get ready with me? (I have no expectation of them doing any work or any jobs. Just being there, laughing, having fun, getting ready.) And then to have the photographer get pictures of me with the seven women prior to the wedding?
4) I've seen some posts suggest that friends have all worn the same color dress in this kind of situation or the same color shoes. Is that okay to do? (For example, it is a December wedding. If I do just my sister, we very well might do a red dress. Would it be okay to have these ladies wear black dresses and red shoes? Or red dresses? All of their choosing?)
5) Should I get them all some sort of corsage or something like that for the day?
I appreciate any opinions or suggestions you all have. My hope is that our wedding is as fun as possible. And that these women feel/understand how special and important they are to me. I don't want to give them jobs to do. I want to celebrate with them. So what do you think about any of the ideas above?
Thank you for your thoughts!!