When planning a wedding, there is plenty of details to coordinate; the cake, the centerpieces, the seating arrangement and, believe it or not, your wedding party. While your closest friends and family will be your biggest allies as you write your wedding vows, get your dress fitted and hunt for a DJ, inviting them along for the ride won’t be without its fair share of work. Below are a few things to remember when dealing with members of your wedding party.
1) You may find yourself at the mercy of their budgets. Yes, you may envision your bachelorette party as being a weekend in Miami but, if your maid-of-honor and bridesmaids are working with limited budgets, you may have to settle with the VIP section of a local club. Additionally, when it comes to various outfit details, you may find some bridesmaids griping about the price. If this scenario arises, consider granting your bridesmaids some flexibility, whether it is to allow them to wear shoes they already own or to find their own dress that adheres to a specific color swatch. If you have the money to swing it, consider treating your favorite ladies to their hair-and-makeup. To prevent future drama, it is considerate to give potential bridesmaids a ballpark figure for how much they could expect to spend prior to their acceptance of the role so they can politely decline or start saving up.
2) Not everyone is going to necessarily be best friends. Whether it is because of previous disagreements or simply conflicting personalities, you may have two members of the wedding party that just do not mix. Suddenly, fun bonding events may grow tense and you’ll be expected to serve as a referee between the feuding adults. Most likely, they will not be fully aware of the impact that their friction is causing, so kindly informing them that it is influencing the group as a whole may get them to temporarily behave. However, with a little bit of foresight, this scenario can be sidestepped entirely. If your out-of-town cousin use to date your best friend’s husband and the two bicker constantly, perhaps invite your cousin to participate in the wedding in another capacity besides being a bridesmaid.
3) This will probably come as no surprise to you, but not every color and fit flatters everyone. Therefore, you’ll bridesmaids will be deeply appreciative if you find cuts that compliment wide ranges of body types, like an empire or A-line dress. A handful of colors are also considered universally becoming, including black, eggplant, red, teal and navy. Consider the skin tones of your friends and, if you are sticking them in hues that are trickier to “pull off”, perhaps allow them to find the tint that best fits them.
4) It’s not cheap to be popular – each bridesmaid and groomsmen will ultimately cost you significantly. There’s the limousines that will transport them from one place to the next, the individual bouquets and boutonnieres, and don’t forget about the essential bridesmaid and groomsmen gifts. Unlike wedding favors, presents for your wedding party is not an arena in which you can think frugally or skip entirely. After all, these people have given you their time and substantial finances. Bridesmaids will love a treat that is sentimental and not something they would ordinarily buy themselves, so why not find a personalized, homemade piece from Etsy? The fellows will most likely prefer an item that will benefit their everyday lives, so find a practical groomsmen gift from sellers like Groom Stand.
5) Be realistic with your expectations of your close friends and family. Yes, they are undoubtedly excited to be a groomsmen or bridesmaid, but that does not mean that their life is put on hold to be at your beckon call. Bridesmaids will often provide assistance with DIY projects, but that does not mean that you should expect them to work late into the night crafting wedding favors. Furthermore, do not take it personally if circumstances prevent them from attending the various events that often lead up to the big day. It is crucial that they are there for the rehearsal, but if one of them has to bow out of the bridal shower or bachelor party because they can’t find a babysitter, remind yourself that this is not a reflection of their feelings towards you.
Your wedding will be a cherished bonding experience between you and your new spouse, but it will also be a valued memory that is shared among your friends and families. Demonstrate some flexibility, understanding and appreciation towards your bridesmaids and groomsmen, and you’ll see nothing but smiling faces in the wedding photographs.
Photo courtesy of Adam & Imthiaz Photography.
