From our wedding recaps, some of you might have noticed my dirty little secret: I had nine bridesmaids. When we first got engaged, I thought six sounded like a good number, but after doing the math (two sisters–Nick's and mine + two "baby" cousins + one sorority sister + oldest friend + bff since middle school + bff since high school + bff since spring break 03) the number ended up being nine.
Yes, nine. I avoided mentioning it here on the blog because, well, people judge and most of the time in real life the response was "NINE! NINE!? Geesh, that's a lot." Honestly I was sick of hearing about how that might be a few too many. Who decides these rules? Looking back I wish I'd have stood up for myself a bit more. If there is one thing I do not regret it is asking those nine amazing women to stand up with me while I spoke my vows to Nick. Was it a little hectic gathering up nine women and eight men? Well, yes, but it was worth every minute! I'm the kind of person who makes only a few good friends in her life, but hangs onto them for life, so it was fitting to have all of them participate in our big day. I still speak at least monthly to my best friend since the third grade.
Luckily, Nick's group of guy friends from Purdue/ROTC is huge and really close so he didn't have trouble rounding up guys to be on his side (although we ended up a few short a due to deployment and/or relocation). Since we weren't including any of the Air Force traditions (sword arch, etc.) it made sense to have them all be groomsmen and not leave any of the guys out. The groomsmen doubled as ushers on the day of.
The point of this post is to say: have as big or as small of a wedding party as you want. Your wedding is a reflection of you and your partner, so if having a huge group of friends surrounding is your couple style go for it. If you are more of the intimate type, having one person for each might work.
How many bridesmaids or groomsmen (or bridesmen/groomswomen) did or do you have?
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Oh, hi, yes, I am back! Trying to post every day in November so I will actually finish up our wedding recaps before our first anniversary. The clock is ticking!
4 bridesmaids and groomsmen
Posted by: Missy | November 03, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Oh, yay! You're back!
We will have 4 BM and 4 GM. If I started asking more, then someone would have felt left out, so we cut it off there. BUT, I definitely agree with you that it should be up to you. There are no rules!
Posted by: Brit | November 03, 2009 at 08:23 PM
I am back! Hopefully for good this time. :)
Four is a great number, but would never have happened for us. Haha. Can't wait to see how things progress with your wedding plans! :)
Posted by: Allison Hasel | November 10, 2009 at 05:20 PM
No worries, girl! My MOH just married in October- with 12 'maids by her side.
Love your blog, love the wedding photos! You look gorgeous!
xoxo,
Lulu
Posted by: Lulu | November 16, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Love it – 12 people. I bet their reception was a blast. Thanks for the sweet comment!
Posted by: Allison Hasel | November 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
I say break as many rules as possible. People keep putting up road signs for me and its saddening me as I plan my wedding. Advice is good but judgement ruins a bride's excitement and that's just cruel. I have 2 maids of honor, 2 matrons of honor, 3 bridesmaids and only 5 groomsmen...I'm going to have a wonderful day, lol!
Posted by: Kymberly Noelle | February 16, 2010 at 07:17 PM