In the past, weddings were celebrated with close friends and family. But in the year 2023, wedding parties have gone way beyond the immediate family and friends. With the rise of destination weddings, couples are saying “I do” with mutual friends, extended family, and even complete strangers in attendance. But who makes the cut? What’s the right mix of wedding party members?
The Bride’s Side
The bride’s side of the wedding party usually consists of her closest family and friends. This often includes her mother, father, sister, closest friends, and bridesmaids. The bride may also choose to include her grandmother and aunts in the ceremony as well. In some cases, the bride may also include a stepmother or even a stepfather, depending on the situation.
The bride’s side of the wedding party may also include her maid of honor, flower girl, and junior bridesmaids. The maid of honor is typically the bride’s closest friend who stands at her side throughout the ceremony and helps her prepare for the wedding. The flower girl and junior bridesmaids are usually nieces or young cousins of the bride and are responsible for leading the wedding procession.
The Groom’s Side
The groom’s side of the wedding party typically includes his father, mother, siblings, and closest friends. He may also choose to include his grandparents and uncles in the ceremony. Depending on the situation, the groom may also include a stepmother or a stepfather.
The groom’s side of the wedding party may also include his best man, ring bearer, and junior groomsmen. The best man is typically the groom’s closest friend who stands at his side throughout the ceremony and helps him prepare for the wedding. The ring bearer and junior groomsmen are usually young cousins or nephews of the groom and are responsible for leading the wedding procession.
The Complete Wedding Party
When you combine the bride’s and groom’s sides of the wedding party, you end up with a complete wedding party consisting of bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honor, flower girl, ring bearer, best man, and junior bridesmaids and groomsmen. Depending on the size of the wedding, the bride and groom may choose to add additional bridesmaids, groomsmen, and junior bridesmaids and groomsmen.
In some cases, the bride and groom may also include additional members of their families and friends in the wedding party. The bride may include her nieces, aunts, and even her close friends who are not part of the bridal party. The groom may include his brothers, uncles, and close friends who are not part of the groomsmen.
The Benefits of an Expanded Wedding Party
The benefit of an expanded wedding party is that it allows the bride and groom to include more of their family and friends in the celebration. It’s a great way to give thanks to those who have helped them throughout their relationship and make them feel like a part of the wedding. It also helps to create a larger support network for the couple as they embark on this new journey together.
Including a larger wedding party also helps to create a larger and more festive atmosphere. The more people in attendance, the more enthusiastic the celebration will be. It’s also a great way to create lasting memories for the bride, groom, and all of their family and friends.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right members of your wedding party can be a difficult decision. But if you take into account the bride and groom’s family and friends, you can create a wedding party that includes everyone they care about. And with the right mix of family, friends, and even strangers, you can create a truly memorable wedding experience.
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