HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING PARTY | SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR A JOYFUL AND STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY

HOORAY, YOU JUST GOT ENGAGED!

After getting engaged, one of the first major decisions couples begin making is choosing their wedding party. It sounds simple at first — you picture your closest friends and family standing beside you, celebrating one of the most meaningful days of your life. But once you actually begin creating that list, the process can quickly become emotional, complicated, and sometimes even overwhelming.

As an Atlanta wedding photographer, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to thoughtfully choose your wedding party. The people surrounding you on your wedding day shape so much more than just your photos — they influence the atmosphere of your morning, your stress levels, your emotional experience, and how supported you feel throughout the day. The right people bring peace, encouragement, joy, and calm energy into your celebration.

When deciding how to choose your wedding party, it’s important to remember that this decision is about far more than balancing numbers or avoiding hurt feelings. Your wedding party should reflect the people who genuinely support your relationship, your future marriage, and the life you are building together. Choosing intentionally creates a wedding day experience that feels meaningful, supportive, and deeply authentic to you both.

After you make all the phone calls you make to tell your family and after you update your social media status….what’s next?

Generally, after you get engaged, one of the first things you start working on is choosing your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Now, take a moment and think of the list of people you are going to ask to be in your wedding party!

Now write that list down! (or make a note on your smartphone!)
How many on each side do you want?
Why are you choosing them to be in your wedding party?

I’LL WAIT….

IS YOUR LIST READY?

DID YOU WRITE DOWN THE REASONS YOU ARE CHOOSING THEM TO BE IN YOUR BRIDAL PARTY?

DID YOU WRITE IT DOWN?

okay good! We can proceed now!

Maybe it was easy for you to list off your top closest friends or siblings who will stand by your side on your wedding day. Then, after that, the list of friends might have grown, but you had to think a little harder! I’m sure you have different reasons for each person. Starting with “They are my best friend,” “I’m super close with that sibling.”

Those are excellent reasons to have someone in your wedding party.

Then, as you worked to add to your list, it might have turned into: They should be in my wedding party because…

“Well, they asked me to be in their wedding.” “Even though we’re not close anymore, they were my best friend in middle school.” “They would be offended if they weren’t asked to be in the wedding party.” “My parents want them to be included.” “I want an even number of groomsmen and bridesmaids.”

DO ANY OF THESE REASONS SOUND FAMILIAR? MAYBE THEY EVEN SOUND LEGIT? I’M HERE TO TELL YOU THEY REALLY AREN’T!!

Don’t forget, this wedding is to celebrate YOU and your future SPOUSE coming together as one! Be picky about who is standing by your side. The wedding party is there physically standing by you when you get married, but it’s also metaphoric. The people you choose to stand next to you symbolize that they are in support of your marriage and will continue to be there, to root for your marriage, long after the wedding ceremony is over! Do all those people you listed above fit that description?

The phrase more is less comes to mind.

It’s about quality, not quantity.

Be realistic, the more bridesmaids or groomsmen in your party, the more chaotic it is. Getting ready rooms can turn chaotic, and the bride or groom can get lost in all of the chaos. Surround yourself with your closest friends, and you’re sure to have a more peaceful and enjoyable wedding day. It’s so surprising to me how many weddings I’ve been to, where the only person the bridesmaids or groomsmen are concerned about is THEMSELVES!! I typically see this most when the wedding party is larger. I’ve also been blown away by how well some bridesmaids/groomsmen have served and loved the bride and groom on their wedding day. You guessed it! Those are typically the smaller bridal parties.

Ultimately, choosing the bridal party is up to you, and it’s most important to have people who mean the most to you standing by you on your wedding day. Maybe that happens to be  20 people, and that’s okay! You should have your day exactly how you want it! But taking a moment to really think about who is in your bridal party and why you chose them can have a huge impact on your wedding day! Take it from me personally, only invite those who value you and your future marriage. It’s bound to add even more meaning to an incredibly meaningful and special day!

NOW HAVE FUN SURPRISING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH AN INVITATION TO BE A PART OF YOUR BRIDAL PARTY!