5 Top Tips for Choosing Your Bridesmaids

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There’s one thing no bride can do without on her big day (apart from the groom, the big dress and a fabulous pair of shoes of course!) and that’s at least one wonderful bridesmaid to be her right hand woman on the day.

Your bridesmaids have a number of official duties, but essentially their most important job is to help you out in the run-up to the wedding and also to keep you cool, calm and collected on the day itself, so it’s important you choose wisely!

If you’re from a small family or if you only have a select few close girlfriends then choosing your maids could be fairly straightforward, but if you’ve got a gaggle of sisters or a big circle of female friends then things can get complicated – and the last thing you want to do is fall out with your nearest and dearest at the most important time in your life.

We’re all about making your life easier so we’ve put together some top tips for choosing your bridesmaids – how to narrow down your choices, important qualities to look out for and ideas for keeping everyone sweet, so read on to find out how!

1.  Compile a Shortlist

Your ideal bridesmaids are not necessarily your relations, or even your oldest friends; they are the people who know you inside out!  Make a list of people you know you could trust to make good decisions on your behalf, who will be reliable even in a crisis, and who will recognize when you are in need of a big hug or some time out without you having to say so.  Be really honest with yourself and you might find that this list is shorter than you expected!

2. Look at the Bigger Picture

Do your chosen bridesmaids know each other already?  If your maids are already friends it can make it easier for them to work as a team when it comes to helping with hen party arrangements and such, whereas if they are total strangers – or worse, if they don’t like each other – they could find it difficult to get things done.  If your maids are strangers to each other, it’s worth arranging a few meetings over dinner, drinks or a movie night just to break the ice early in the preparation stages.

3.  Know Your Numbers

Having more bridesmaids than the usual two or three might seem like a way of pleasing everyone but remember that for every maid you will not only need a gown and a bouquet – you may feel you need a male attendant to escort her!  Having a matching number of bridesmaids and groomsmen is not a must, but a bridesmaid may feel left out that the others get an escort and she doesn’t, but it’s up to you! This not only increases costs but can make wedding photography and seating arrangements more awkward.

4.  Find Them Other Jobs To Do

If you can’t have all of your girlfriends as maids, think of other things they can get involved with on the day; perhaps giving a reading during the ceremony, saying a few words at the reception or even getting involved with making your wedding stationery or cake!

5.  Listen to Your Heart

Many brides feel under pressure to make certain choices regarding their bridesmaids and particularly flower girls but always remember that it’s your day and the decision is ultimately yours.  The people who truly love you will never question your choices or try to make you feel guilty!

{ will you be my bridesmaid card from dessy.com }