Bridal Party Do's and Don'ts

Don't feel obligated to include everyone in your bridal party.

Weddings are best when they are intimate with close family and friends. Don't feel pressured to include distant cousins and long lost high school or college friends in your wedding party. Remember that members of the wedding party are also counted as guest and keeping this number under control will help keep your overall wedding budget under control.

Do include his family and close female friends.

Avoid making the groom upset by including his family and friends. Be sure to ask him what females he would like to include. After all, if they are close to him, it's a good chance they'll be close by for a very long time.

Do be considerate of your bridal party's budget.

If you know that your entire party cannot or is not willing to pay hundreds of dollars for designer dresses, then don't give them the ultimatum to either pay it or sit out. Allow your party to option of going together as a group to pick out a dress that will fit everyone's budget.

Don't require your bridal party to be identical.

Some of your bridesmaids may look great with big prom hair. Others may look good in a simple do. Either way, allow your friends the flexibility to be themselves. Don't be a stickler for total oneness. Letting them be individuals will make them happy and in turn, will make you happy.

Don't forget that women come in all sizes.