{"id":12185,"date":"2018-04-07T07:24:23","date_gmt":"2018-04-07T07:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.topweddingquestions.com\/blog\/?p=12185"},"modified":"2018-04-07T07:24:23","modified_gmt":"2018-04-07T07:24:23","slug":"qa-is-it-okay-to-have-my-wedding-without-a-bridal-party","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.topweddingsites.com\/wedding-blog\/wedding-planning\/qa-is-it-okay-to-have-my-wedding-without-a-bridal-party","title":{"rendered":"[Q&A] Is it okay to have my wedding without a bridal party?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Readers Ask<\/h2>\n

Is it okay to have my wedding without a bridal party?<\/h2>\n

Our Answer<\/h2>\n

It is absolutely, 100% completely okay to have a wedding and nix the bridal party.<\/b> This doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t love your friends and family, there are just a lot of reasons why you may go without one!<\/p>\n

It could be a personal decision (too hard to decide between loved ones) or a matter of budget (you cut a lot of expenses going this route), you need not fret if you envision a wedding that includes just the two of you at the altar.<\/p>\n

Maybe you\u2019re one of the lucky ones with a host of besties and some sisters too that are just absolute rockstars in the friend department. But, going with a double-digit number at your side can no only sound stressful, it really will be! It\u2019s okay to not pick instead, and just celebrate all the fab festivities of a wedding, without the pressure of the titles.<\/p>\n

Also, it depends on how casual or formal you want your day to be. If this is a second wedding or your first but you want something that feels a bit looser and less stuffy, it\u2019s okay to throw caution to the wind and go without the normal traditions.<\/p>\n

Other Expert Answers<\/h2>\n

Huffington Post<\/h3>\n

\u201cLike many wedding traditions, this one is not for everyone \u2014 and that\u2019s okay.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re thinking you might want to forgo this part of your planning, too, here are some solid reasons why you should follow your instincts.<\/p>\n

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  1. It\u2019s stressful.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Honestly, it\u2019s already crazy-making enough to find your own gown. Picking one (or a few) that has to work on an entire group of women, all with different taste and body types can cause anxiety that\u2019s not just necessary. Also, have you seen Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids? Unless your group of girls is made up of completely mature, selfless, opinion-less, drama-free individuals, someone is going to end up in tears or feeling resentful. (Probably you.) As one of our favorite modern proverbs states: Ain\u2019t nobody got time for that.<\/p>\n

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    1. It\u2019s a financial burden on you \u2014 and them.<\/i><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      If you\u2019re looking for a way to cut your budget down, getting rid of your bridal party is a great way to do it: You can seriously chop down the florist costs (by not having to order extra bouquets and boutonnieres) and you won\u2019t need to buy gifts or extras for your pals.<\/p>\n

      Plus, these days, when everyone seems to need to travel for weddings, you\u2019re actually doing your nearest and dearest a favor by not asking them to shell out money for a dress (or tux), shoes, a shower, and a bachelor\/bachelorette party. Your closest pals can take it upon themselves to throw your events and then wear whatever they want to your wedding\u2026.\u201d – HuffPost<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

      Loverly<\/h3>\n

      \u201cWhatever your reasoning, it\u2019s perfectly fine to skip the bridal party! Still want to honor the important people in your life without having them stand up beside you in matching outfits? Here are seven ways to pull of an alternative bridal party.<\/p>\n

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      1. Call out important people in your program, on your website, or in your speech. Give your besties, siblings, cousins, etc. a special shout-out and let them know they mean the world to you.<\/li>\n
      2. Ask your nearest and dearest to wear a certain color. Instead of having a bridal party up at the altar in matching attire, ask your \u201cspecial people\u201d to wear a certain color so they stand out at the wedding.<\/li>\n
      3. Give corsages, boutonnieres, anklets<\/a>, or other special markers to your would-be bridal party. Give each of your closest pals something special to wear so they feel honored at your wedding, and so others know who they are…\u201d – Loverly<\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Inside Weddings<\/h3>\n

        \u201cWithout bridesmaids, you do not have to worry about deciding between your friends and feel like you\u2019re ranking them. No one\u2019s feelings can be hurt because they didn\u2019t make the cut if there was no cut to being with! The overall stress levels surrounding the day can also decrease without a bridal party. There\u2019s no tension about someone not following through with their promises, and no one will call you a bridezilla due to demands you felt were reasonable. You can trust everyone will wear a guest-appropriate ensemble rather having to wrangle everyone and make sure they purchased or rented the outfits on time. Generally, it allows your closest friends to simply enjoy the day.<\/p>\n

        The actual wedding experience can also be improved with this decision, provided that it is the right choice for you and your future spouse. Anxious people or introverts may prefer a more relaxing morning by getting ready alone, or even together with their beloved. Those having a more casual or relaxed wedding may find that skipping a bridal party fits the vibe better. In addition, it puts the focus solely on the couple and their marriage.\u201d – Inside Weddings<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

        Other Helpful Resources<\/h2>\n