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WWDD? This is a question I ask myself quite often: “What would David (Tutera) Do?!” David Tutera would probably NOT suggest having 10 bridesmaids. David Tutera would quite possibly shake his head, roll his eyes, and tell the cameras that having 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen is a “circus.”
Now, just because I ask myself what he would do, that is not to say I let that dictate what I will.
OK, with that said, I totally have 10 amazing, beautiful, charming, hilarious bridesmaids (including two lovely maids of honor). Coming to this decision was fun, and by no means was it without thought! Prior to getting engaged, the only wedding-related detail I ever really considered was my bridesmaids and who they would be.
And I always envisioned a small bridal party, like this (minus the kinda graphic leg-grabbage):
Image via Sarah Green Photography
However, when it came down to it, I knew that what I envisioned was impossible. Why? Well, I have no “blood sisters,” but I have a lot of very, very close lady loves. These are women, most of whom I’ve known since childhood, who have seen me at my worst, partied with me at my best, and have put me in my place and loved me all the same—and who better to stand by me on the happiest day of my life than those women?
Making the decision easier was the fact that Mr. Seal has lots of brothers and close cousins and also wanted to include my two brothers and two cousin-brothers (not “cousin-brothers” in a backwoods way—they are cousins raised as my brothers). He, therefore, matched my 10 ladies with ease.
So instead, our wedding party will look something like this:
Image by Phindy Studios via Brocade Nashville
While some people gasp or scoff when they hear our number of attendants, I smile. I smile because we are lucky to have such a large and amazing group of people to take part in our big day. I believe there are exceptions to every “wedding rule” and that, some of the time, those exceptions make for the most exceptional and memorable weddings.
Do you have a large wedding party? Do people give you a tough time or roll their eyes because of it?
Love this post! 
I have always envisioned having a small party as well…that’s not my case either though! I’ll be having 9 including 2 MOH’s. It was a no-brainer for us both & while it did seem overwhelming for both myself & my FI we are both so happy to know that we have so many friends/family memebers that are very close to our hearts. <3
Yeah, we have 7 each. Not really on purpose - I would have wanted maybe 3 or 4. But when I started thinking about who was important to me (and who would feel left out!) it ran up to 7. Luckily FI had no problem matching that number!
I think it’s great! You are lucky to have so many close friends!
It’s wonderful to have so many people who love and support you! Our wedding party is large relative to the number of total guests, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I also think it’s wonderful that you have such a large group of loved ones who will honor you on Your Day. And as much as I.Adore.David.Tutera, I wouldn’t judge your large party in his way. For me, I will choose my two adult daughters to stand beside me. It all depends on what’s right for one’s personal circumstances.
you go with your large wedding party! if our wedding wasn’t so small, we would’ve had a big group too.
This post makes me soooo happy. I am having 9 bridesmaids and only 7 groomsmen, which may look funny, but whatever!
5 our family members and 4 are my dearest friends. A lot of people give me a hard time about it, but I could not imagine my wedding without all these women by my side!
Thanks for posting this and making me feel like I am not the only one with a “circus” of bridesmaids
We had 7 and 7 but I had always envisioned having 4. I still wish I was able to only have 4! Having that many bridesmaids proved to be so much drama and too many people to please. It was just ridiculous and actually if I could do it again I probably would have just said siblings only!
I was in a similar situation - no female relatives, but 9 super-close wonderful amazing friends. However, my fiance does NOT have that many. And our wedding is only going to be around 65 people. Having 9 people on my side, 3 on his, and only 55 people in the audience would be a little silly. So we decided to do without a wedding party altogether.
But my amazing friends are still throwing me the best bachelorette weekend ever, because they are awesome that way.
I thought I’d have a pretty sizeable wedding party anytime I considered my wedding back in the day, but when it came time to really put those thoughts into action regarding my real life wedding, I really only wanted girls who had been close to me within the last few years and really had a hand in celebrating our relationship. That turned out to be only 4 girls.
I always wanted a huge wedding party! You are so lucky to have so many lady loves ms. seal!
I am not personally having a wedding party. I am however having all the ladies at the wedding wear red shoes. As you can tell I am think outside the box person! I think you should do what makes you happy. one bridesmaid or a million of them
xoxo,
Shana
Come say hi!
http://whimsyweddingday.blogspot.com
I definitely think you should include whoever you really want to be with you on your wedding day, whether that number is 2 or 12! I was also super-set on having a small party (4) but looking back, it is one of my biggest regrets that I didn’t include two friends whom I’m very close to…I wish I hadn’t been so set on the number and just picked whom I wanted with me!!
I have the same issue but I wanted a small wedding party so I plan to go the other way. I will only have my sister in the bridal party and maybe my step-daughter. I have too many special friends/cousins (8) that would put me at 10 total. I really didn’t want that for aesthetics, budget and my sanity! I think I may borrow Mrs. Lovebug’s idea and ask them to be chambermaids so that we can hang out before the wedding actually starts. I was toying with the idea of asking them all to wear a certain color to coordinate with the wedding.
So happy that you have such amazing people in your life! Our wedding party was small, but that is just the way we roll. Simple and easy. 
it’s your own big day! do what makes you happy! I always wanted to have a big wedding party, the more, the merrier
It’s awesome having your girls with you - one word of caution though… more girls = more opinions and tastes. Some are go with the flow, some are not. That was my only gripe and I only have 5.
Love this line!!
I believe there are exceptions to every “wedding rule” and that, some of the time, those exceptions make for the most exceptional and memorable weddings.
I’m only having two, my MOH (my sister-in-law) and my BM (my best friend/co-worker) but they are my two closest friends so makes sense!
Thanks everybody It’s heartwarming to see such support for my big wedding party! I definitely consider myself lucky to have these ladies in my life and am excited to share our day with them.
@JulesJM5: Glad you could relate And I don’t think there is anything wrong with uneven sides!
@KMA: Thanks for the tip!
i have a large wedding party as well. 7 bms, 1 jr. bm, 7 gm…it’s a lot, but it’ll be so much fun! i’m glad you went with your gut and picked so many people!
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Mrs. Seal, San Francisco Age and Occupation: 25, Personal Assistant Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Sales and Support Specialist Engagement Date: December 12, 2009 Wedding Date: November 2011 Venue: Sts Peter and Paul Church/The Bently Reserve About Me: I am a goofy, wannabe crafty, well-intentioned Renaissance Woman (OK, perhaps "aimless wanderer" is a more aptly suited term for me, but hopefully you get the point)—basically I dabble in just about everything and pride myself in such. Without warning, I occasionally breakout into soulful improvised songs and interpretive dances and there's just no stopping me! As so many others before me, planning our wedding has unearthed a deep, intense passion for all things bridal and I secretly fear the day it will come to an end. Mr. Seal and I are quite the pair and life with him by my side is extremely rewarding—I am so thankful to have found him. Together we are planning a black-tie San Francisco affair for 250—light on the stuffiness and with lots of extra Seal-y flair.
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