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How Many Bridesmaids is the Right Number?

6 months ago 415

Claire McGowran

In our FAQ section, we answer the most frequently asked wedding planning questions, and give you some tips to make the typical 'rules', etiquette or traditions work for you. And this query is one we get a lot, "How many bridesmaids should I have?" and more specifically, "How many bridesmaids is too many?".

How Many Bridesmaids Is Too Many?

In short, you can have as many bridesmaids as you want, there's no perfect number, and there's definitely no right or wrong.

It's increasingly popular for couples to have no bridesmaids or wedding party at all - particularly for more informal weddings. Likewise, we're seeing more mixed gender wedding parties, where couples forgo the typical guy/gal pairings.

In Ireland and the UK, we most commonly see line ups of two to four bridesmaids, while in the US, larger squads of bridesmaids are more prevalent, with as many as 10 or 15 bridesmaids (and often the same number of groomsmen to match!).

How Many Bridesmaids Should I Have?

To help you decide how many bridesmaids is the right number for you, we have put together a few tips and common misconceptions, to keep in mind when you're trying to find that sweet spot...

If you're having a gendered bride and groom's party, they don't need to be even. Lots of couples get hung up on symmetry or pairing up, but it's really not necessary. An 'uneven' wedding party can be easily worked around for photos, ceremony or dancefloor logistics.
Think quality over quantity, it's better to have the right people as bridesmaids, rather than having lots of them. Choose the ones who will be supportive, available, enthusiastic, and organised!

Keep the bridesmaids' duties in mind when selecting your bridesmaids. For example, you might want your little sister as a bridesmaid, but she might not be best placed to plan your hen! In which case you might have your sister and at least one pal in your line-up.
Likewise, think about your wedding morning, do you want a big gang of friends around you or would you prefer just one or two people by your side?
Don't worry about 'letting down' certain friends by not asking them, you can always assign them other roles or jobs in the wedding.
While cost shouldn't be a major deciding factor in who you choose to be your bridesmaid, it may come into play if you're covering the cost of dresses, hair and makeup, accommodation, or gifts, so do keep that in mind - only have 10 bridesmaids if you can afford them!