8 Bridesmaids. Am I crazy?

Eight dates at the wedding and the rehearsal dinner...a bigger limo...

I have 10. 8 bridesmaids, 1 maid of honor, and 1 man of honor. I'm paying for their hair and makeup and 4 nights accommodations (they all live very far from where I live now). As for the dresses, I agree with PP that for that number of bridesmaids, it can become tricky finding a style that will fit well with all of them. For me, I just gave them 5 colors to choose from and told them to pick any dress (any style) they're comfortable with. As for the gifts, I'm just going to give each person a single item that I know they will love to simplify things, like a favorite perfume or a purse.

If you really want to have 8 bridesmaids I say go for it but know beforehand the financial commitment that comes with having a large BP (and the possible drama as well). I would say go for it only if that's what you truly desire and if your budget allows.

Not crazy at all! I have 8. 2 sisters, 2 FSIL and 4 friends that I have had for 10+ years. I couldn't have imagined not asking all of them. It's 100% up to you! Yes, you will have to spend more on bridesmaid gifts, but in my situation, they are totally worth it!

I have seen many people in my area with that many. It isn't for me though. There are way too many drawbacks at having that many people. Bouquets, bus for transportation, gifts, etc.

Yes!

Date twin!

Just be prepared for all the expenses that go along with large BPs, as previous posters have said.

ETA: I hate autocorrect

I have 8 as well! At first I was stressing about it because I really only wanted 4/5 but then FH has 8 on his side and I'm one that needs things to be even! Ha! As wedding planning has gone on it has been a lot of fun having all the girls apart of it! You can definitely do things cost efficient by keeping an eye out for sales and what not! I'm getting the jewelry for each girl (along with a handful of individual things per each girl) but it's all on sale so it's like $80.. sounds like a lot but $10 each isn't bad IMO.

In my opinion, there's no magical number of bridesmaids that is "too many." It has everything to do with 1) who you want to stand next to you on your wedding day, and 2) what you can afford. As previous users have stated, more bridesmaids equals a larger guest list (for the wedding as well as the rehearsal dinner), more bouquets/larger florist bill, more "thank you" gifts, more space in a limo, more pro hair/makeup fees (if you're footing the cost of that, which you should if you make it mandatory), etc. etc.

So first, really think about whether you're asking these girls out of obligation (and maybe you are, based on your comment about ruining friendships) or because you really want them to be bridesmaids. Second, make sure that having more bridesmaids doesn't mean that any of them get shorted or treated poorly.

For example, you don't get to go cheap on thank you gifts, or skip them altogether, just because you asked too many girls to be bridesmaids, and now you can't afford to get them nice "thank you" gifts. You can't deny them the opportunity to have dates to your wedding just because you can't afford eight extra people. You can't ask them to subsidize the cost of professional hair and makeup because you require that they get it done, but you can't afford to pay for it.

In short, ask who you WANT to ask. But first, make sure that you can afford to treat each bridesmaid like the VIP that she is.

ETA: to clarify, I see no problem with bargain hunting or seizing the opportunity for good deals! That's actually a tip I'd give to a bride with a large bridal party: budget, save, and keep an eye on sales. For example, when a store has a sale (favorites are ModCloth and kate spade secret sales), I'll totally check it out and see if anything catches my eye for my bridesmaids. There's a difference between being a smart shopper and being cheap.

Also, sorry to use all female pronouns. Plenty of us have bridesMEN too! I'm just using female because the OP didn't mention wanting to ask any men.

As everyone else has said, giant bridal parties are emotionally draining, expensive and honestly? How special would you feel as one of 10......

Ideally, everyone at your wedding is close to you; I'm not into the hierarchy thing....

And dont' ask until November.

I had 7. No drama. It was a huge expense though.

The only drama I experienced was from a friend who was so upset she wasn't a bridesmaid, she refused to attend. But I mean, that kind of melodrama is why she wasn't a bridesmaid.

Hellllo date twin. I will be having 6.... 4 are family & just 2 of my closest friends. everyone already said it; costs add up. & if someone breaks your friendship because they're not one of your bridesmaids, that's a shitty friend.

My SIL had 10 including MOH. Her sister, her 4 SIL, and 5 of her best friends. My brother had 10 too, our 2 brothers, his 2 BILs, our cousin, her cousin/his best friend, and 4 of his friends. It may seem crazy to have a lot of people, but if that is what you want and you can make it work then go for It! It is your wedding!

I have 7! My date is 4/7/18 and I already asked them because 3 are my sisters and the rest are best friend that I know I want in my wedding (been friends for years)

You can have as large of a wedding party as you want, but yes more bridesmaids does mean more money spent!

I had 7 bridesmaids and zero drama, they were all amazing and it was as easy as can be! DH had 8 groomsmen and 2 ushers. It did mean more money on everything from wedding party gifts to bouquets to transportation to the number of people at the rehearsal dinner, but I wouldn't have changed a thing!

I realize this might be the unpopular opinion but I struggled with the idea of having any bridesmaids at all. The tradition seems so odd to me, but I went with one MOH and one bridesmaid since my FH wanted one BM and two GM. I can't imagine having 8, but if that is what you want then go for it. It's your wedding!

I come from a huge family, so I just have 2 bm, 2 bridal attendants, and my moh. Everyone else knows I just can't afford to have everyone in my wedding and I love just having them there to enjoy the day with me.

I have 8 i picked my nearest and dearest and wouldnt have it any other way. I get a bit of a crazy look when i say i have 26 people total in my bridal party. Lol

I only have 4 myself, but I've known several people that have had 6-8. I think it's becoming more common, so I really wouldn't worry about it!

You pick who you pick for your own reasons. Just know the more you have the more time they will cost. .

If you can budget for it should really be your only concern (and that these people really are close to you). A bridal party of an size is only as much of an issue and drama as you let it be. The bridal party has one job: get a dress, show up, walk down the aisle. Nothing else, so nothing else should stress you out. If they fail to do one of the three, oh well.

Even for pre-wedding activities. Things are only as much of an issue as you let them be.

ETA: to answer the question at hand, my sister is my MaidOH, my aunt my MatronOH, and 5 bridesmaid. Total of 7. My wedding is 3 states away so I asked everyone last August, way earlier than anyone normally should (but people had to budget for the trip, take time off, etc.) and I have yet to have an issue.