Our Two Cents on Wedding Party

The people that will stand next to you on your wedding day are a pretty big deal! Besides literally standing next to you at the alter, they represent the people that have your back! Your wedding party are the people that will support you not only through the wedding planning process but throughout your marriage.  As a wedding planner, I can appreciate a wedding planner that has their act together!  The wedding party helps set the tone for the day; If the wedding party is on time, celebrating, being helpful, making sure the couple is having fun, then it makes my job so much easier.

Here's my two cents on wedding party advice:

• Choose wisely- Just because you've been a bridesmaid at 300 weddings does not mean you are obligated to ask all those friends to be in your bridal party. Choose extra close friends/family members that have patience, the finances to spend a few hundreds, won't ruin your festivities by getting too tipsy, are drama free, and will put your happiness first.
• As soon as you decide who the dream team will be- let them know right away. Find a creative and sweet way to ask. You want to make sure that you give them plenty of time to prepare. 
•  Be cautious on the size of your wedding party-the bigger the crew, the more potential for disagreements and the more costly it can become (transportation, bridal party gifts, rehearsal dinner, etc).
• I strongly suggest that you consider the shapes and comfort level of each bride when selecting the style of dresses. Bridal party clothes are expensive! You want to make sure that they love what they're wearing. Opt for non traditional brides maid-dresses. Consider, choosing a color palette and let them choose the design.
• Remind the guys to wear black socks.
• Give them a heads up- they're going to be on their feet for most of the day. Bridesmaid should bring extra comfortable shoes (for down-time). Also let them know that taking pictures takes "for-ever" so patience and cooperation is required. 
• Make sure that you have enough food/water and snacks available during the wedding day (while getting ready, taking pictures, etc.)
• Acknowledging your appreciation for their participation on your ceremony program is a nice touch!
• Make the Grand Entrance Fun- Give your DJ a brief description of how each attendant should be announced during the grand entrance (e.g. "Welcome Mary Smith, the bride's best friend since 2nd grade etc.). Choose a fun song for the grand entrance. Have a game plan of what you're going to want your bridal party to do when they enter the room (go straight to their seats, create a Soul Train Line on dance floor, etc.)
• I' think it's more thoughtful when the bridal party sits with the guest they have brought to the wedding.
• Make sure to pour tons and tons of LOVE on your bridal party! They've accepted your invitation to participate and spend money on your wedding, you should reciprocate with a thoughtful gift and lots of consideration to what makes them comfortable. 
• Remember that this is the team you selected to have extra fun with on your wedding day! Make memories with them! Enjoy!

Just sayin',
Jenny Goodman

(Special thanks to the awesome bridal party at Natalie and Eddie's wedding for being everything a bridal party should be. Also Thanks to Pamela Marches Photography for the great pics. www.pamelamarches.com