Lords and Ladies of the Rings - Choosing Your Bridal Party
It's time to honor you and your chosen prince, but first you have to choose from your many lords and ladies.
Who do you trust? Those who will honor you both properly at your ceremony are the best, but how do you choose from your hordes of adoring fans? Choosing Your Ladies-in-Waiting (aka Bridesmaids) The tradition of of bridesmaids began as a way to display unmarried female relatives who are available for marriage.
That is no longer the case.
Now, "bridesmaid" is a coveted title and lasting memory for close friends! It's so important to choose the right girls to add to your lasting wedding memories! Being a bridesmaid is a big job and you have to make absolutely sure that the friends you choose will be up for the challenge.
As a bride, you are going to get nervous, picky, and angry about the smaller details of the wedding; in a nutshell you'll be a little dramatic (it's okay...
it's your day).
You do not need bridesmaids who will contribute even more drama to the wedding! If you choose a girl (or girls!) not excited about the special job she's been chosen to do, feel free to replace her (or them).
It will be hard enough for you to accomplish all the wedding details, let alone convince a friend to commit to some of the duties that go along with the honored title.
You should not have to convince a friend to be there for you on your special day.
Be respectful.
If you have only a few close girlfriends, ask your Future Husband's (FH's) sisters or other female relatives.
This will get you major brownie points with them.
Do not be afraid to ask your guy friends to participate.
If you have more guy friends than girls, you can offer a trade-off with your FH.
Another growing trend is to have a "Man of Honor" or male bride's attendant.
Both brides and grooms are increasingly asking members of the opposite sex to stand for them at their weddings.
Tradition is out the door! Try not to be pressured into choosing a relative you don't know very well (eg - your grandmother's niece's cousin) for your attendant.
First, she might be a little awkward.
Second, she might not be interested.
Try to stress that your bridesmaids are women who are important to you and are supportive about your union with your FH.
Do not ask too many girls; this tends to happen when the bride is so happy that she asks every girl in the world to share this moment with her.
This mistake will get you in a lot of trouble and may be expensive for you in the end.
Plus, feelings will get hurt when you will eventually have to take back your request.
You need to be sure that these girls are trustworthy.
They will need to be responsible for their own attire and transportation to and from the wedding unless notified by you.
They also need to be able to help out with prenuptial events in your honor, be it physically or emotionally.
Last but not least, they will be sure to keep their hands off your wonderful FH! Finding your Knights-in-Arms (aka Groomsmen) These guys have to be the best of the best of your mates.
Guys who have, and will continue to, pick you up off the floor after a night of too much fun.
Guys who have also approved of your choice and enjoy your Future Wife's (aka FW's) company.
These guys will not be afraid to come over and hang with you and the wife.
Maybe that last statement is hoping for too much, but you never know.
First of all, you cannot choose guys who have dated your FW or had a crush on her at any time, unless your aim is to be cruel and remind him of what he cannot have! Brothers are the safest choice.
You have a brother, younger or older who has usually grown up with you and shared many wonderful experiences together.
This next step in your life should be reserved for someone who will continue to be there when friends will not.
Best friends of the groom is almost always the way to go, but only if the groom does not have a close relationship with his brothers.
Childhood friends, if they stay in touch, usually turn into best friends, so that's covered.
But if you do not connect or have that much in common, choose another guy.
Choosing from the best of the college boys is always going to be the most interesting choice! Just make sure that FW likes them or she might be rolling her eyes at their old college antics for the entire wedding day.
Choose the brother(s) of the FW if you do not have a lot of close guy friends.
But make sure you do not have "filler" guys or girls.
You do not want someone that you just met, or your boss (unless he is a close friend) as a representative to your wedding.
Also, you do not have to have an even number of girls and gals.
It is perfectly fine to have someone stand alone.
Ultimately choose people who have been there for you and your darling; people who actually approve of the marriage and who have not conspired to break it up in any way.
These people will be there when you will celebrate your 10th and 40th anniversaries! And last, but not least: pick a wedding party that can keep track of your tungsten wedding bands! There is nothing worse than standing at the alter without the ring to finish off your vows!
Who do you trust? Those who will honor you both properly at your ceremony are the best, but how do you choose from your hordes of adoring fans? Choosing Your Ladies-in-Waiting (aka Bridesmaids) The tradition of of bridesmaids began as a way to display unmarried female relatives who are available for marriage.
That is no longer the case.
Now, "bridesmaid" is a coveted title and lasting memory for close friends! It's so important to choose the right girls to add to your lasting wedding memories! Being a bridesmaid is a big job and you have to make absolutely sure that the friends you choose will be up for the challenge.
As a bride, you are going to get nervous, picky, and angry about the smaller details of the wedding; in a nutshell you'll be a little dramatic (it's okay...
it's your day).
You do not need bridesmaids who will contribute even more drama to the wedding! If you choose a girl (or girls!) not excited about the special job she's been chosen to do, feel free to replace her (or them).
It will be hard enough for you to accomplish all the wedding details, let alone convince a friend to commit to some of the duties that go along with the honored title.
You should not have to convince a friend to be there for you on your special day.
Be respectful.
If you have only a few close girlfriends, ask your Future Husband's (FH's) sisters or other female relatives.
This will get you major brownie points with them.
Do not be afraid to ask your guy friends to participate.
If you have more guy friends than girls, you can offer a trade-off with your FH.
Another growing trend is to have a "Man of Honor" or male bride's attendant.
Both brides and grooms are increasingly asking members of the opposite sex to stand for them at their weddings.
Tradition is out the door! Try not to be pressured into choosing a relative you don't know very well (eg - your grandmother's niece's cousin) for your attendant.
First, she might be a little awkward.
Second, she might not be interested.
Try to stress that your bridesmaids are women who are important to you and are supportive about your union with your FH.
Do not ask too many girls; this tends to happen when the bride is so happy that she asks every girl in the world to share this moment with her.
This mistake will get you in a lot of trouble and may be expensive for you in the end.
Plus, feelings will get hurt when you will eventually have to take back your request.
You need to be sure that these girls are trustworthy.
They will need to be responsible for their own attire and transportation to and from the wedding unless notified by you.
They also need to be able to help out with prenuptial events in your honor, be it physically or emotionally.
Last but not least, they will be sure to keep their hands off your wonderful FH! Finding your Knights-in-Arms (aka Groomsmen) These guys have to be the best of the best of your mates.
Guys who have, and will continue to, pick you up off the floor after a night of too much fun.
Guys who have also approved of your choice and enjoy your Future Wife's (aka FW's) company.
These guys will not be afraid to come over and hang with you and the wife.
Maybe that last statement is hoping for too much, but you never know.
First of all, you cannot choose guys who have dated your FW or had a crush on her at any time, unless your aim is to be cruel and remind him of what he cannot have! Brothers are the safest choice.
You have a brother, younger or older who has usually grown up with you and shared many wonderful experiences together.
This next step in your life should be reserved for someone who will continue to be there when friends will not.
Best friends of the groom is almost always the way to go, but only if the groom does not have a close relationship with his brothers.
Childhood friends, if they stay in touch, usually turn into best friends, so that's covered.
But if you do not connect or have that much in common, choose another guy.
Choosing from the best of the college boys is always going to be the most interesting choice! Just make sure that FW likes them or she might be rolling her eyes at their old college antics for the entire wedding day.
Choose the brother(s) of the FW if you do not have a lot of close guy friends.
But make sure you do not have "filler" guys or girls.
You do not want someone that you just met, or your boss (unless he is a close friend) as a representative to your wedding.
Also, you do not have to have an even number of girls and gals.
It is perfectly fine to have someone stand alone.
Ultimately choose people who have been there for you and your darling; people who actually approve of the marriage and who have not conspired to break it up in any way.
These people will be there when you will celebrate your 10th and 40th anniversaries! And last, but not least: pick a wedding party that can keep track of your tungsten wedding bands! There is nothing worse than standing at the alter without the ring to finish off your vows!
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