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How Should I Choose Who is in my Wedding?

Tricia Christensen
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,335
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Choosing who is in your wedding requires some forethought and diplomacy. You also may want to choose who is in your wedding based on the type of wedding you wish to have. A small intimate wedding might not require numerous bridesmaids and groomsmen, or even a flower girl or ring bearer. A large wedding tends to be associated with more members of the wedding party. Further, you may want to choose who is in your wedding based on the new relationships you are acquiring by marrying. Don’t select merely from your own family, but also from your new in-laws, when you can.

Being in a wedding, particularly as a bridesmaid or groomsmen bears a great deal of expense. The tactful prospective bride or groom will consider whether a close friend or relative can really afford the expense of purchasing a tux or gown. If you really want someone to participate in your wedding who cannot afford these costs, consider paying them yourself. In a respectful way, emphasize how the person’s presence and participation is such a great gift to you, which you would like to reciprocate by covering the person’s costs for clothing or travel.

You may also want to choose who is in your wedding based on new family relationships. For example, the groom’s sister or beloved cousin could be included as a bridesmaid. Or alternately, ask your new family members to participate in the wedding in other ways. Consider having new relatives read a special poem or scriptural passage during the ceremony. Ask someone to be in charge of the guest book. The goal is to let your new family know, when possible, that they are now your family too. Including them in your wedding is a first step toward smooth in-law relationships.

The smart bride or groom knows that many pre-wedding events like showers or groom’s parties need organization by a non-family member. In fact, it is considered in poor taste for the bride’s family to throw a wedding shower. Therefore, it helps to consider who is in your wedding based on a person’s organizational skills. The natural party planner among your friends is a good choice for a wedding attendant.

However merely choosing who is in your wedding based on friendship or family ties often outweighs such material considerations. An organized friend may help a wedding go a little smoother, but so can a good wedding planner. If your friends and family are not natural planners, they still may be the best attendants because they love and support you.

Sometimes, it is necessary to choose who is in your wedding based on family ties. A bride or groom may have to fulfill the obligations of a family by asking someone who is not particularly a friend. Even if a person who is in your wedding is not a first choice, one will likely, on one’s wedding day be too distracted to notice. Sometimes a family obligation trumps dislike of Aunt Suzy’s daughter who always says the wrong thing. Simply remember, when you must choose who is in your wedding based on obligation, that the wedding is only one day, while the marriage should last a lifetime.

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Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments
By Spotiche5 — On Apr 05, 2014

@ocelot60- I agree with you. Too often, too many people try to have their say about the wedding party. If you are the bride or the groom, stand up for what you want in a pleasant yet firm way. If you don't, you may regret it in the future when you look back and realize that you let others decide your wedding plans for you.

By Ocelot60 — On Apr 04, 2014

Whether you choose family, friends, or a combination of both to be in your wedding, the important thing is that you make your selections based on what you want. Don't let others persuade you into putting people in your wedding that you prefer not to have there. After all, the day is all about the bride and groom and what they choose that will make the day memorable and perfect for them.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
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