5 sisters in law — should they be bridesmaids?

Uneven numbers don't matter, but only ask those you TRULY want to be standing next to you at the wedding. Don't ask just out of obligation.

Don't worry about uneven numbers, but also don't feel like you have to ask them just because you will be family. Only ask them if you truly want them to be BMs.

I would only ask if you REALLY want them standing up there with you. Don't ask because you feel you HAVE to.

I asked my sister, best friend and my cousin because they are the most important to me! FH has a sister that I did not ask to be part of the wedding party. I only wanted people that are closet to me and will be happy for us and only bring positive vibes for all things weddings.

FSIL is not a positive person and has been very mean to me in the past. She also does not like 2 out of the 3 bridesmaids and would just cause issues with them.

I have 4 SILs and did not have any of them as bridesmaids. They're all 20+ years older than I am, and while I do love them, we're not that close that they should've been up there with me. That said, sides don't have to be even. I had 5 BMs and my H had 6 GMs.

I asked all 4 of my fiance's sisters (two full sisters, one stepsister, one sister in law). I am including them! I'll have 9 bridesmaids total. I think uneven numbers are okay, but 4 to 8 might be a lot. Is there anyone else your fiance can add? Maybe to make it 6 to 8? And if not, there are other ways to include them. They could read something during your ceremony, they could hand out fans, blankets, programs, etc.

Definitely don't ask them out of obligation. If you truly want them up there with you, then who cares if it is uneven? I mean you will have two bridesmaids for every one grooman and that works out pretty well. Good Luck!

Oh, ugh. From what I have seen on Wedding Wire, there is nothing that causes quite as much stress as having too many bridesmaids, especially when invited out of obligation.

Forget entirely the matter of evening the sides up. There is no end to that.

I think your life will be less stressful if you stick to your 3 friends you want to support you.

Your goal is probably to forge good relationships with your fiance's large family, right?

Having them be bridesmaids, with all the tricky decisions and possibilities for error that come along with a wedding, might not be the best way to achieve that goal. It could backfire.

Be friendly with the large family, make attempts to spend time with a couple or two at a time, getting to know them, outside of the wedding planning. Show interest in their lives and what is going on. I think that will endear you to his family more than including them in the wedding.

This is my humble opinion.

You don't have to ask everyone from your FH's family to be in the wedding party. They are not your nearest and dearest. They are future family and more than likely will be perfectly happy to attend as guests. It can be rather overwhelming trying to coordinate that many people for anything.

I am also going to have 5 sisters-in-law, or maybe even 7 if you count FH's sisters-in-law (I don't know how that works). My mother was pressuring me to ask at least one of his sisters, saying it was tradition, but I chose not to. I know a few of his sisters fairly well, but still did not feel close enough to them to include them, and I don't feel bad or guilty about it.

FH is asking one of his nephews (oldest sister's son) to be a groomsman, and we're thinking of asking his closest sister to say a prayer/blessing before dinner (she's very religious), but that's the extent of their involvement.

And, I have to add, as an only child, I'm pretty excited to be gaining 5 SILs (and 3 BILs).

I also agree with PP that it doesn't matter if your sides are even or not.

Uneven numbers don't matter. I would include them in the parties, like the bridal showers and make sure they're invited but personally if you're not close to them I wouldn't have them in it. The larger the party the more expensive. You have to feed them and their significant others for the rehearsal dinner, you have to buy them gifts, shoes, any other items you want for your wedding. I say keep it as small as possible.

I only have one FSIl and she's super sweet and we're friends so I decided to ask her. However, I don't think you're obligated AT ALL to ask all FSIL. My friend didn't invite her FSIL to be part of her wedding party and they all still showed up and had a good time. I especially wouldn't ask them if you're not already friends or if they wouldn't mesh well with the people who you already asked.

I totally feel you. My husband has 3 sisters, I have 2 sisters plus close friends! Pretty soon my bridal party felt out of control! I am a firm believer that your wedding shouldn't be "I feel I should do this or that" but I WANT to do this or that. This is your and your fiancé's day.

That said... I asked my husband if it would mean a lot to him to have his sisters in my bridal party, because this was his day too, and he said yes. And it worked out totally fine You are merging two families and a disproportionate or uneven bridal party should be less important than making your families feel like one. However, if your fiancé doesn't mind either way, you do what feels right to you!

I know a lot of people say even numbers don't matter but it did to me. I want pairs to walk down the aisle and I want balanced photos. Its okay to want balance. My fiance wanted 3 groomsmen and I only wanted my sister and my bff. I asked one of his sisters to be my third. I was a little worried that his other sister or his brother's wife might feel left out but they don't. I picked her because she is the one my fiance is closest and I knew her to be more reliable than the other one. I suggest including them in another way. Ask them to be personal attendants, you could even ask them to pick an outfit in a color that compliments the bridal party and include them in some of the photos with bridesmaids.

I think there are just as many threads about dry weddings/cash weddings as there are bridesmaid drama. Keep you 3 girlfriends for a few key reasons: Eight is too many. Too much drama, drives the cost up for you and just.....eight is too many. Do not ask anyone out of obligation. They may sense it (they will, actually) and just keep it minimal. It is one thing to add one sister, but five?

I did not include my sister in law in my bridal party, we are close and all, but I just wanted my friends in the BP. I just have my friends in my bridal party. Remember about budgeting too. If you add 5 more bridesmaids to your party, then be prepared to spend 5x as much on gifts, bouquets, etc. Everything will take longer as well on the day off, getting ready, taking photos, etc.

I am not saying don't do it, but just really think it through before you decide.