How many is too Many?

[Tiggerprincess]

Hey Hey! How nay brides maids starts to be too many? I have about 5 lined up ....... Is this innapproriately too many? or is it ok? How can I cut cut down on dress costs? Thanks ya'll!
D.D.

[bnd94]

I don't think that is too many. I think all your closest friends should be in your wedding. Now when you have run out of friends and start asking girls you barely know then that is too many. kwim?

Now on the dresses. Technically Etiquette states that it is their responsibility to buy their own dresses. But this can be a delicate subject. Most women know this when they accept your invitation to be a bm but some do not and you have to figure out a way to somehow tell them. I actually prefer to pay for my girl's dresses. For no particular reason though I just want to. I feel it is more my honor for them to be in my wedding rather than the other way around.

[andysgirl07]

I don't think 5 BM are too many. I am only having three in my bridal party. I'm planning on paying for their dresses (one is my stepsister, so my family would pay for hers anyway) and I think this is a good present also. As for cutting down on dress costs, I thought of a couple ways (hope they help). I know some people just let their BM pick out their own dresses (that way they spend what they can afford), but the bride tells them what color they want them to wear. Or if you wanted to cut down on costs for the BM, you might could pay for half of the dress costs for each one. I'm not sure about buying two piece dresses (don't know if that's more or less expensive) but I'm thinking about getting two pieces so maybe they could wear the top after the wedding.

[me23rose]

I have seven--3 sisters, 2 cousins, and 2 friends. So I probably have too many!! At first, it was just sisters. Then just family. Then my fiance wanted to ask a couple more guys, so I got to ask 2 friends.

I've been in a few weddings as a bridesmaid, and have always paid for my dresses...I know it can get expensive, so that's nice that you are considering costs for your girls.

[LaceyinPgh]

I have 5 bridesmaids and 1 maid of honor so you are fine. My girls are paying for their own dresses as well.

[rainbowtreat]

I have 5 brides maids and one matron of honor ( my sister ) the rest are friends. They are having their dresses made or find the one i want for them and they can buy it. It is up to them. I bought the pattern and piece of the material in the color they are wearing. They are all wearing a different color. There is a girl at work who is getting married and she has bought the pattern and all the material and the girls jsut have to have the dresses made.

6 girls is not to many. For me I am havign my 5 best firends and my sister. My FH has to find 1 or 2 more guys to fill the spots lol.

[LizabethDavis]

I am having a grand total of four girls, 1 MOH, 2 JBM and my FG. I don't think that five is too many. I think that as long as they all mean something to you then you are all set!

Cutting down costs? You can have them pay for their own dresses...rent the dresses??? Or maybe make the dresses, if you have someone crafty that can do if for not a lot of $$$.

[Jenn060306]

To save costs we opted to buy a top and make an A-Line skirt. We found that making a skirt will cost about $20 if you have someone who can sew in your family, or a friend. We looked at making tops as well, but because my bridal party in all over the country they would be made by different people, and possibly look different. (the skirts being slightly different isn't a big deal). So we are buying tops at a bridal shop.
I have 3 bridesmaids and a maid of honor. My best friend from childhood, my best friend from College, and my fiances 2 sisters.:D

[ikkin510]

I"m having 4 girls up there with me. I am going to be getting the dresses for the girls. So, I figured I will buy patterns and material and they can be made. All of the girls know someone who will make them for them for free. Another plus is not only can you pick the design and change it a little if you want, but you can make the dress any color imaginable!

[Tiggerprincess]

Hey Niki!
I actually was thinking along those lines! My best freind did that....It worked out beautifully...I'm concidering it...not sure....Keep the ideas comin ya'll.....It is really making things a lot easier....Thanks All.
D.D.

[usahgrad]

I'll have a total of eight; 1 MoH, 3 BMs, 3 JBMs, and a flower girl. I think you'll be fine with five. My sister in law had five at her wedding and it looked really beautiful. See:

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/usahgrad/csbms.jpg

Their wedding was outside and the five of us stood tiered up to where the ceremony took place.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/usahgrad/csweddingparty.jpg

See...that's all of us...not too bad eh?

[Tiggerprincess]

Hey it did look beautiful!!!!! Where was there weeding held?
it looked esquisite!
D.D.

[usahgrad]

She held it at Maryvale Castle outside of Baltimore, Maryland. I wish I could have no sense of budget like she did... the castle cost a TON to rent out AND they had to rent out two and a half years before the wedding. Then they only got a set number of hours and at the very end of the reception, the people for the next wedding were showing up and heading to the rooms they get ready in. I really didn't like this venue. Plus...to top it off...the bathroom in the room where the bms and bride got ready, had a window overlooking where the guests sat...WITH NO CURTAINS! It looks pretty, but it really wasn't all it was cracked up to be.