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Beginner April 2021

Bridesmaids- What would you do?

Kelsay, on July 8, 2020 at 2:18 PM Posted in Planning 0 7

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Hello! I am to be married 04.17.21 and due to covid we have cut our guest list (and most importantly our budget lol) down from 275 to 175 max.
Before the pandemic hit, I asked 12 of my closest friends/family to be Bridesmaids. 2 are my younger sisters, 1 is FH younger sister. 5 are friends I’ve had for over 12 years and are still very close. Then I have 4 of my closest line sisters (sorority sisters) . With everything going on and my bridal party living all over the US in some of the hot spots, I’m concerned about having all of us in a room together even to get ready for the day. One of my BMs is also immunocompromised. FH has 7 groomsmen.

I would like them to buy their dresses in October, so I feel like I need to make a decision soon.
Another issue that has come up is I don’t actually think there’s enough room in the ceremony space for that many people on one side! I’ve played around with the Idea of still having everyone be a part and walk down, but having everyone but my two MOH (included in the total 12) and our 3 sisters stand up with us. And having the entire bridal party do a reading of some sort during the ceremony so that they still feel included. For the sake of my immunocompromised BM and the risk of gathering in general, I’d like to really cut down but I can’t make a decision on who to cut... what would you do?

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7 Comments

Latest activity by Lynnie, on July 9, 2020 at 4:28 PM

Legend June 2019
Melle · on July 8, 2020 at 2:29 PM
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Looks like based on what you said you already made the choice of just your two MOH and the three sisters
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Champion July 2019
Veronica · on July 8, 2020 at 2:32 PM
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Cutting anyone from the bridal party could cause a lot of hurt feelings. The only way I could see cutting people would be to only have family as your bridal party on both sides otherwise you'll definitely hurt some of your friends' feelings. For getting ready, could you have them come in shifts rather than all at once for hair and makeup? They could get dressed in their own hotel room rather than in one room. My wedding was last year and all of the girls either changed one at a time in the bathroom attached to the suite we got ready in or changed in their hotel room. It wasn't a big deal. I would probably have all of them still walk down the aisle, but only have the best man and maid of honor stand up front with you. I would reserve space up front for the others to sit.
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on July 8, 2020 at 2:41 PM
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Agree with all of this.
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Beginner April 2021
Kelsay · on July 8, 2020 at 2:49 PM
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I like the idea of shifts! I definitely don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings!
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Champion July 2019
Veronica · on July 8, 2020 at 3:27 PM
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Your hair and makeup artist should be able to give you a schedule that shifts would work for. Ours sent me a PDF with a schedule listed out that I forwarded to each girl. We started hair and makeup at 8 am, but not everyone arrived at that time. Some of them came right before their scheduled times and others arrived a bit earlier to see if there was anything I needed help with. Below is what mine looked like to give you an idea.
8:00 AM Lauren hair (bridesmaid)
8:15 AM Rachel hair prep (groomswoman)
8:45 AM Rachel hair
9:15 AM Grandmother hair prep
9:30 AM Grandmother hair (blowout only)
9:45 AM Natalie hair prep (bridesmaid/short hair)
10:00 AM Natalie hair (bridesmaid)
10:15 AM Me hair prep
10:45 Me (bride)
11:00 AM Natalie makeup
11:45 AM Mother of the Bride hair & Me makeup
12:30 PM Kelly hair (bridesmaid)
12:45 PM Mother of the Bride makeup
1:15 PM Hannah (flower girl) hair & Jessica (flower girl) makeup
1:36 PM Jessica hair & Hannah makeup
2:00 PM touch ups if needed
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Expert July 2021
Chelsea · on July 8, 2020 at 4:26 PM
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I kinda think your overthinking time. Your 8 months away anything can happen. Im planning my wedding as if nothing will be here in 2021. We have no idea but im not cutting my guest list or anybody out. I have 275 invited.
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WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
Lynnie · on July 9, 2020 at 4:28 PM
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I think shifts is a great idea!!
Also you do still have plenty of time until April, and hopefully things will be better by then. 🤞 Also I'm sure at least some (if not all) of your bridesmaids would love to sit in the front row for the ceremony instead of standing up the whole time!
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