Bridal Party Meet and Great

Okay...don't let the truth discourage you, OP. Mix and mingle between strangers? What a thrilling proposition.

As long as you're willing to host with food & drinks why not? We had a dinner party/game night to bring everyone together and it went great!

ETA: Wow, a lot of negativity. Do you guys never go out and meet new people? Goodness. I've been to parties, dinner parties, etc. where I haven't known anyone but the host and I've had a great time.

If I was a member of your BP, I would probably be "sick" that day...just sayin'! It just seems incredibly awkward and unnecessary IMO.

Nessa, it wasn't my intent to be negative. It's just that people are busy with their own priorities (kids, their own relationships or family concerns, work, etc). Bridal showers, bachelorette parties, maybe even a bridal luncheon, then the RD and finally the wedding. It just seems like a lot to throw one more thing on top of that. I don't think you meant to, but IMO, you kind of made the case to not do this extra field day when you said you've been to parties where you didn't know anybody and had a great time. That's probably what will happen with OP's BP - at the RD and wedding.

I think it's too much. They'll figure out how to interact at the RD and reception.

I don't understand why your bridal party needs to get to know each other. They will meet at the rehearsal dinner and then hang out again at the wedding. None of these people are going to be life long friends or probably even speak to each other again. You're already asking them to do so much there is no need to add another activity.

I reaaaaaaally don't like forced interaction, so this is my personal idea of hell - especially since it involves athletic activities. Adults are forced to be friendly and personable to other adults all of the time, and should be able to make it through the ceremony and photos without issue. I would imagine most will probably go their own way at the reception to mingle, drink and dance with their favorite people, anyway. To me, this seems like an unnecessary burden to put on your bridal party.

They are adults they can act normal and get along fine for the five minutes they have to walk together

I understand you're coming from a good place but just let them meet at at the rehearsal if you're having one! It'll work out just fine.

Once when I was a bridesmaid for a friend she would send me videos of bridal parties having fun together?? And say things like "I really want our bridal party to be like this" and " I really want everyone to get a long and be friends and have fun together" and things like that and it kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Like do you not trust that we will all be cordial and friendly to each other....?

Just let them meet when they meet and more often than not I feel like the bridal party all gets along just fine. And on the off chance they don't - it's one night.

If you want some people in your bridal party to meet others, have an informal, not wedding related night out or night in. And do it because you think they'd get along and genuinely enjoy each other's company, not because they're in your wedding together.

Some people in our BP happened to be in our hometown around the same time we were, and we had a boozy game night. We did it just because we wanted to see everyone. It had nothing to do with our wedding. But it was really awesome to see new friendships forming, laughter shared, Facebook friend requests flying over the next few days. Let it happen organically.

I'd totally not be excited about this, and its definitely too much to ask for them to take a day off for it to arrive early. They don't have to be friends with each other - they will all likely only attend the RD (if you have one) and the wedding together - and likely know how to be social on their own

If you're really concerned about them meeting, you could do it in a more organic way. Invite everyone over for a dinner party, Labor Day party, etc. Not everything has to be about the wedding. This is how my friends and FH's friends (now the WP) met- though we didn't do it intentionally in anticipation of the wedding, it just happened. For the record, it wasn't awkward at all the first time...we supplied plenty of alcohol and everyone got along really well. What exactly is your fear of them not meeting until the wedding? Will one of your bridesmaids run away in fear because she has to walk down the aisle with a man she's never met before?

Why don't you ask a few of your groomsmen or bridesmaids if its something they're interested in?

I did this at the engagement party... At this point everyone and their SOs all know each other

I don't understand why people think the bridal party needs to be friends/meet each other. They're your friends. Mine met at my bachelorette party and we all had a great time.

ETA: also, if I was in a BP that tried to do this I would not go. It would be my own personal hell.

I was under the impression that people meet at the Bach, shower and RD.

Why do they need to get to know each other at all?? If they do naturally that's great but they don't need to all become BFFs to enjoy the ceremony. Al they're going to be doing is standing together for photos, walking down the aisle, and potentially getting ready with you. I don't see any reason why it's necessary for them to all "meet and greet." As a BM I would be annoyed by this.