Bridal party

A year out max. If you scroll through past posts here, you will read tons of bridal party horror stories of asking the bridal party so early and things changing despite being friends for like 10 years. If you're concerned with saving them money, discuss attire budgets with them individually and make sure what you ask them to purchase is respectful of that budget. Otherwise, there isn't really anything a bridal party needs to do more than even 6 months out from the wedding.

If you're not concerned about relationships changing over the next year and a half, then ask them whenever you feel ready! However, I personally would wait until September or October to ask. I've seen many, many posts on these forums from people who regretted asking too soon, though I've never seen one from someone who regretted waiting to ask. I would think 12 or 13 months would be enough time for people to save up, even if it's a destination wedding.

I would wait until 6-9 months prior to the wedding. While you might think your relationships will not change, there is no guarantee. My MOH was supposed to be someone I was friends with for over 10 years, but it turned out she was a backstabbing liar and she was dropped from the wedding. We haven't spoken since and it's been two years.

I wouldn't recommend any more than a year ahead of time. There really isn't anything for the wedding party to do before then, and a year is still plenty of time to develop a savings plan. No one ever anticipates friendships or relationships changing or falling apart, but unfortunately there is just something about weddings that does just that. Or, your style or vision for your wedding might evolve as you continue planning.

If you feel completely confident in these friendships, and are certain they will not change, then you can ask whenever you want to FH and I asked our wedding parties nearly 2 years ago (asked before covid hit in 2019, then had to postpone our wedding because of the pandemic), and we are still 100% confident in our choices. But I will say, we’ve had close relationships with these all of these people for 10+ years. And there do seem to be a lot of brides on this forum who have found themselves in the awkward situation of needing to remove a member of their party. So I would definitely really evaluate those friendships before asking.

My wedding is October of 2023 and I haven't officially "asked" but pretty much told my best friend I plan on having her as my MOH. I'll probably ask her this summer if I get to see her. Of our relationship changes then she's smart enough to know she wouldn't be invited...but that won't happen.

Our wedding is in March of 2023 and I’m asking my bridal party in the next two months. My MOH is my God sister and lives in Florida and one of my honorary bridesmaids lives in Iowa. (I’m writing her a letter to ship in her box explaining that “honorary” just means I understand her financial situation and know she’ll probably only be go to the wedding but I still want her standing up with my other girls by me and not as a guest because she’s so special to me. Just not stressing out over making it to my shower and party and such if money doesn’t allow it). This way everyone can save and no one is stressed out. My relationship is solid enough with my bridal party (expect for one) that I’m not worried it’ll change and I know they’ll all say yes. The only one it’s not solid enough with is my FH’s cousin that I’m asking because we want all of his cousins (he’s the oldest and she’ll only be 15 at that time) to be involved because they all adore FH. I’m asking her mom first to be respectful. I would say ask whenever you want honestly. It’s fun to plan with your bridal party!

As others have said October would be good. You don’t want to ask too close since you need time to look for and order dresses. My sisters dress took almost 6 months to come in, 2 weeks before the wedding. Luckily she didn’t need alterations, so it worked out fine. But, your bridal party may not be so lucky. They’ll also need time to save and plan if any travel is required.