The Pros and Cons of Going Big vs. Keeping It Small

Large bridal parties can be SO much fun, but they can also become overwhelming pretty quickly. On the other hand, keeping your bridal party small can make the wedding day simpler, but narrowing down your favorite people isn't always easy.

The good news? There is no perfect number of bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Some couples want every sibling, cousin and best friend standing beside them. Others want two or three of their closest people. Some don't have a traditional bridal party at all.

The right number is the one that works for you, your wedding and the experience you want to have.

Going Big: The Pros

There is something special about looking around on your wedding day and seeing so many of your favorite people standing beside you.

A large bridal party can bring a lot of energy to the entire wedding experience.

You can include more of the people you love.
If you have a big family or a large friend group, choosing only a few people can feel impossible. A larger bridal party means fewer difficult cuts.

The energy can be amazing.
A room full of your closest friends getting ready together can be one of the most memorable parts of the day.

You get some really fun photos.
Large bridal parties can create beautiful group shots, fun candid photos and plenty of memories.

You have a bigger support system.
When you choose the right people, having a larger group can mean more hands available to help throughout the planning process and wedding weekend.

Going Big: The Things You Need to Consider

More people also means more logistics.

Getting-ready timelines become much longer.
If several bridesmaids need professional hair and makeup, your morning may need to start very early. More people may also mean hiring additional hair and makeup artists to keep the timeline moving.

There are more schedules to coordinate.
Rehearsals, fittings, showers, bachelor and bachelorette events and wedding-day arrival times all become a little more complicated when you're coordinating a large group.

Transportation can become a bigger consideration.
If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, you may need transportation that can accommodate the entire bridal party.

The costs can add up.
Bouquets, boutonnieres, bridal party gifts, meals, transportation and other small expenses can become significant when you're multiplying them by 10, 15 or even 20 people.

Getting-ready spaces can become crowded.
Before choosing a large bridal party, consider the size of your bridal suite or getting-ready location. Ten bridesmaids plus hair and makeup artists, photographers, videographers, mothers and other family members can fill a room very quickly.

Keeping It Small: The Pros

A smaller bridal party can create a completely different wedding-day experience.

Your timeline is usually easier.
Fewer people means fewer arrival times, hair and makeup appointments, transportation arrangements and people to keep on schedule.

The morning can feel more relaxed.
If you picture yourself getting ready with just a handful of your closest people, a smaller bridal party may be a better fit.

Communication is simpler.
One group chat with four people is very different from one with 18.

It can help your budget.
Reducing the number of bouquets, boutonnieres, gifts, meals and other bridal party expenses can make a noticeable difference.

You can spend more individual time with the people you choose.
A smaller group can make the entire experience feel a little more personal and intimate.

Keeping It Small: The Hard Part

For many couples, the hardest part of having a small bridal party isn't the wedding itself. It's deciding who makes the list.

You may have childhood friends, college friends, siblings, cousins and newer friendships that are equally important to you.

And yes, occasionally someone may be disappointed.

But being important to you doesn't mean someone has to be a bridesmaid or groomsman.

There are plenty of other ways to include people you love in your wedding. They can participate in readings, serve as ushers, help with special moments or simply celebrate with you as guests without having an official bridal party role.

Your Sides Don't Have to Match

Here's another wedding rule you can officially stop worrying about: you don't need the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen.

If one person has six people they can't imagine getting married without and the other has three, that's completely fine.

Your photos can still look beautiful. Your ceremony can still be organized. Nobody needs to add someone just to make the numbers even.

Choose people because you genuinely want them beside you, not because you're trying to create matching sides.

Think About Personalities, Not Just Numbers

This might actually be more important than deciding between a large or small bridal party.

Think about who you're asking.

Your bridal party will be around you during some of the busiest and most emotional parts of your wedding experience. You want people who are excited for you, supportive and capable of making the day better.

If someone consistently creates drama, ignores plans or makes situations about themselves, adding them to your bridal party isn't going to magically change that behavior.

Your wedding morning should not feel like you're managing a room full of people.

Before You Ask Anyone, Think About the Wedding Day

It's easy to get excited and start asking people to be bridesmaids or groomsmen immediately after getting engaged.

Before you do, picture your actual wedding day.

How much space does your venue have?

How many people will need hair and makeup?

Will everyone need transportation?

What's your bridal party budget?

Do you want a lively getting-ready morning with a room full of people, or would you rather have something quieter?

Most importantly, who will make you feel supported and relaxed?

Those answers can tell you a lot more than any "ideal bridal party size" you find online.

So, What's the Perfect Number?

There isn't one.

Whether you have two bridesmaids or twelve, what matters is how the people standing beside you make you feel.

At Southern Made Rentals, we've seen weddings with bridal parties of all sizes, and both can be absolutely beautiful. The difference is making sure your wedding timeline, logistics and expectations are planned around the bridal party you've chosen.

Go big. Keep it small. Have uneven sides. Skip the bridal party altogether.

Just surround yourself with people who are genuinely happy to be part of your day.

Because your bridal party should make your wedding experience better, not more stressful.