Big or Small Bridal Party?

How to put this lightly.....well, lets just say FH has 10 brothers & sisters and 18 neices and nephews. I have 1 sister, 1 brother and 4 neices and nephews. How the heck do I justify who is in the bridal party and who isn't?? Just having the procession walking in will take longer than the actual ceremony!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Have your siblings and in front of his put everyone's name in the hat and pick in front of them.

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Oh thats not a bad idea, but our neices and nephews are so little and excited. They keep running up to me asking if they can be in the wedding. How do you say no to a little 4 year old girl?

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

My FH is one of 7 - 4 sisters, 3 boys. In my family, it's just me & my sister. We both wanted a small wedding party - we're only having 4 on each side. Instead of having his sisters - which would make 8 plus I'd be forced to ask his SIL, to make 9 - I'm having my favorite 2 nieces (of his) as our FGs.

Basically, you need to make the decision based on what you want...people have to understand that. They'll be hurt or slighted, but they'll get over it.

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

I have 12 girls
2 jr Girls
and one FG!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

FH has 4 little brothers and sisters and a niece and nephew who all wanted to be in our wedding, plus my BMs have some of the most adorable children on earth (me, biased? never! ) and I would have loved to put them all in but it would have been a zoo so I told all the children no because I couldn't choose between them.

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

The kids are hard. I tried to tell them that the one I choose never was a FG (the others were for others' weddings). It worked OK, still teary eyes but they 'understood'. Then I asked them (serious face) if they would do a really important job and hand out the rice at the wedding and the programs, etc. Told them they had to wear a beautiful dress/suit so people would know they were important. They all loved the idea and I didn't feel guilty at the end. Kids are just excited to be included in it in some way.

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Ok, here is my question..Is there a male equivalent to a JR BM? He has more boys than girls.

He only has 3 sisters that aren't married yet, so I can probably cut the married ones, I think they would understand. I could also have them do a reading or something to have them be a part of the wedding.

The kids I will have to figure out, obviously we will have to have his godson and my goddaughter. Uck the pressure! Sadest part is it is bound to get worse!

Also, how did you girls ask people to be in the wedding? Did you just announce it at the engagement party or did you do it privately before hand?

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Sanmik...I completely forgot about handing out programs and what not! You just made me feel so much better!! Thank you!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Your welcome - - I fully understand the big-family stresses. Good luck!

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Why don't you have just your godchildren - that way it's obvious why you picked them...and people should understand.

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Cause they are all so adorable and I really would love to have them a part of my special day. Part of me would love to have them all. My friend had about 6 fg/rb in her wedding and she has a black and white picture from the reception of all the little girls and boys dancing in a circle with her in the middle. It is the most precious picture I have ever seen!

I think I need a wedding planner, this is only the beginning and I can not make all these decisions on my own!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Well I have a HUGE bridal party!

1 MOH
9 BM
2 JR BM
1 FG

2 BM
10 GM
2 RB

So in total without FH and I we have 27 people!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to FH, he has so many friends that he wanted to be part of his wedding. And he wanted his sister to be a BM, so therefore he has two of my brothers as GM. So it just kept adding up and adding up!

I think you have to cut it off somewhere. Pick the bothers and sisters, and neices and nephews who are closest to you. The others can do readings, or seat people, or handle the guestbook, and bubbles etc........

Good Luck!

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We have 16 in our BP... BIG!!!

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OMG! I thought having 7 was big....boy was I wrong!

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We are having

1 MOH
7 BM

1 BM
7 GM

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

I am one of 9 children and FH is one of 8 children!!! We opted to have just a MOH and BM - no bridal party. I didn't think it was fair to choose some people and not others - and we did not want a huge party with 20 people. Good luck!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

Thanks for all your help girls. I know I want at least 4 BM's and no more than 6. I will have to figure it out.

Thanks again!

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

We stayed on the smaller side...it was either a few people or like 20 people...so we opted smaller.

1MOH
3 BMs

1BM
2GM

1 FG (YAY my 2 1/2 year old FSIL)

Re: Big or Small Bridal Party?

I was going to suggest what july5 did...

just BM and MOH...and then have all the kids as well...

edited to say...have the other siblings be the last escorted to their seats...so they are part of the processional


what happened at the other weddings?