While there are no longer very strict rules on how many bridesmaids you can or should have, it’s still very important to consider your entire bridal look when choosing your wedding party. If the wedding is large and you are inviting more than a hundred people, then there is really no limit to the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen you have to choose.
On average, weddings in the United States are attended by five bridesmaids. Smaller ones have fewer, and large weddings may have as many as ten. Bridesmaids assist in planning the wedding, so the number is proportionate to the size and cost of the event.
If you find that there are too many people on the list and you don’t want them all to be bridesmaids, you can choose to have them take on different roles during the wedding. Some even choose just two, and some brides may choose not to bring a bridesmaid. Some couples like to keep their wedding party small, while others are happy to have 12 or more bridesmaids around.
Large Wedding Can Have a Dozen or So
For large weddings of 200 or more, this number can go up to 10 bridesmaids. Most weddings have an average of three to five bridesmaids, or you can use the same number of bridesmaids as the groom. If you’re planning an intimate wedding, choose five bridesmaids, you don’t need more.
It is much more common for a formal wedding to have multiple bridesmaids, while for an intimate wedding there are usually fewer. Typically, formal weddings have half a dozen or more bridesmaids in addition to the bridesmaid (there may be up to a dozen, but this is very rare). It is not uncommon for a very formal wedding with two hundred or more guests to have six to ten bridesmaids, as well as a flower girl.
A large formal event can accommodate more than a dozen bridesmaids because it doesn’t distort the wedding ceremony. Formal weddings usually have 6 bridesmaids, but for weddings of 1,000 or more, brides can choose up to 12 bridesmaids, which is usually the upper limit. For a small wedding of 50 people, two to four bridesmaids will suffice. There can be almost any number of bridesmaids at a wedding, but in most cases three, but usually one to twelve.
Four Is Normal for Most Weddings
When you’re wondering how many bridesmaids are typically at a wedding party today, the traditional answer is four — the most common number for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Today, the number of bridesmaids at a wedding depends on many variables, including the bride’s preferences, the size of the family, and even how many bridesmaids her partner wishes to have.
The general consensus among many wedding planners and experts is that the number of bridesmaids at a wedding should reflect the size and format of the wedding. Outside the pond, the average number of bridesmaids is much smaller, and if you’re getting married in the UK, Germany or France, it’s not uncommon for a formal wedding to have three or fewer bridesmaids.
Since the average number of bridesmaids is five, some may find seven to be too many for your wedding. Having a big wedding party is fine, but it can be crowded, and many brides find having an odd number of bridesmaids and grooms is odd or distracting. On the other hand, intimate celebrations don’t require much attention, so you just need as many bridesmaids as you want. For example, a laid-back wedding on the beach can feel over the top if there are more than two or three bridesmaids, including the bridesmaid.
Bridesmaids Are Needed for Planning the Wedding
Typically, the bride, bridesmaid and bridesmaids are the most involved in planning and conducting the wedding. In North America, there may be multiple bridesmaids at a wedding, but maid of honor is the title and position of the head of the bride, usually her closest friend or sister. In addition to being an honorary member of the wedding banquet and a special guest at the reception, today’s bridesmaid has also been appointed a special assistant to the bride.
Today, the role of bridesmaids is to help the bride with everything she may need before and on the day of the wedding itself. However, as a rule, the main bridesmaid is asked to help with the logistics of the wedding as an event, how to respond to invitations, and with her help as a friend, how to help the bride in buying a wedding dress.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen also often help with wedding invitations, wedding dress selection, and logistical support. The role of the bridesmaids is to offer emotional support, help organize the hen and bachelorette party, attend all pre-wedding events such as dinner rehearsal, dress rehearsal, etc., help with big day coordination, and more.
Bridesmaids Often Receive Small Gifts
The bride can choose a gift for each bridesmaid to have a bachelorette party and stand by her side during the wedding. Since the bride is responsible for the cost of the bouquets and gifts for her bridesmaids, this should be taken into account when deciding how many people will attend the wedding. If you’re planning an extravagant wedding with a specific theme that requires the bridesmaids to wear a specific dress, chances are you’ll have to pay. If you pay, don’t ask your friends to be bridesmaids if you can’t afford it.
If a semi-close friend is not asked to be one of the four bridesmaids, this is easy to understand. Some brides only have two brides, or none if you’re happy with the people who will be by your side at the wedding. You may not even have bridesmaids if you want a wedding like this, with only your bridesmaid. If you can’t narrow down your list to 10 bridesmaids, so be it.
The size of a wedding can play a role in determining the optimal number of bridesmaids, it really comes down to one very important factor: your personal choice. An informal wedding can be held without bridesmaids and only with a maid of honor.
