Budget Wedding? Cut the Bridal Party!
Cut Your Bridal Party to $ave Money!
Times are tough, but people are still getting married. The only thing is they're doing it for less--a lot less! So if you're one of those who needs to save money on their wedding, the best advice I can give you is to keep your bridal party small!
Let's look at an example: You're thinking of having five bridesmaids and five groomsmen in your wedding. That totals 10. Along with these 10, you must invite their SOs and/or spouses. Now you have a total of 20. But you were only going to invite 75 people, total, to the wedding.
Your bridal party now makes up about 27% of your total guest-list.
Let's Take It a Step Further...
The 10 members of your bridal party require bouquets and boutonnières, not cheap, besides gifts that you're responsible to pay for. And their SOs and or spouses, some of whom you may not know well, will drink and eat on your tab...
As you can see, the numbers grow exponentially. Besides, the bridal party, which is 27% of the total guest-list in this example, is taking away from close friends of yours or your families, who better deserve a place at your wedding!
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How Many Should Be in Your Bridal Party?
If you're on a wedding budget that includes a limited guest-list, then I would have one maid (or matron of honor) and one bridesmaid. On the groom's side, I'd have one best man and one groomsman.
NOTE: Members of the bridal party may include brothers and sisters of the bride and groom--and there may be more than two. The difference is that these people are already on the guest-list. They're not "extras" and may be included in the bridal party, if you choose.
NOTE: You can include people that you would have liked to have in your bridal party by awarding them different tasks, including readings at the ceremony or minding the guest book.
NOTE: You should have one usher (groomsman) for every 50 guests. If you need another, ask a close friend or family member to do the honors. (They would have been invited to the wedding any way. Once again, they're not an "extra". And be sure to get them a boutonnière.
P.S. Visit Deborah McCoy, AAWP: www.aa-wp.com
