Fiance's Family As Bridesmaids

Only if you want them to be and are close to them.
Bridesmaids should be the people you’re closest to.

I agree with Anais, only if you are close to them and want them.

If they’re your nearest and dearest friends, sure.

I think it is a really nice way to bond with them. I chose my sister and my fiance's sister, because I knew he was choosing his two brothers as groomsmen, and I felt it would be nice to have 'just family' in the bridal party.

It's worked out well because if I'd added my other two dearest friends the way I'd originally planned, things would have been difficult. One of them is our florist, and I didn't want her to have that responsibility as well as the rest, and the other is now pregnant, and due 18 days before our wedding.

I do feel like it's brought my sister in law and me closer, she's been so, SO sweet and my own sister has been a bit difficult, so I've been super grateful for her calming presence. She reminds me of her brother (my future husband) that way!

Edited to add - of course I think it really depends on the relationship you have with your SIL or whatnot, but I personally have felt like I definitely made the right choice.

View Quoted Comment This has been such a relief to hear. I didn’t really grow up with a bunch of girlfriends/best friends and the ones I did have didn’t really keep up with me after a certain season of life. I’ve always been very family oriented and feel much more comfortable around my fiancé’s siblings and cousins than a random acquainted coworker. Just didn’t want it to look/feel untraditional or weird. Happy for you and your fiancé!!!

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You are so welcome - and thank you! I do think if you feel like that then I'm sure they would love to be asked! I think my SIL was really touched and happy, and I'm so glad to have her with me on the day, plus all the planning has given us an opportunity to spend more time together.

I will say no because 9 times out of 10 the bride only asks out of obligation, not because they are her best friends. You ask your super closest people only, not those you want to get to know better. If fiance wants to include these people, they can stand on his side.

I asked my fiancé's sister. I have bonded with her since we started dating and she was honestly really excited that I asked her. She is a younger sister so not sure if that played a part. But I think if you're close to them and its someone you want up there it is appropriate totally.

Both of my husbands sisters are in my bridal party and they aren't my bestfriends. I didn't feel like it was an obligation to have them in the wedding but I wanted them because I know how close they are to him. They were both ecstatic when I asked them!

I asked FH Future Sister in Law (FH's brother's wedding is a year before ours) they live out of state, but we have gotten super close since she started dating FH's brother! We talk constantly and she's been my rock lately as we're marrying into the same family and I couldn't make it through it without her.

I contemplated asking FH cousin, we're super close, I drive her to school every day but only decided against it as she is only 15 and I didn't want her feeling left out on the bach party and any other event that is not suitable for a 15 year old (when I know her father wouldn't approve)

Your bridesmaids and or MOH should be the ladies you are closest to in life. It's nice to have your high school or college best friends, and sometimes future sisters in law. But unless you have a close relationship with them, you should not ask them to be bridesmaids. Never ask out of obligation, or to reciprocate for someone who had you as a bridesmaid.

Think about who you are closest to in your daily life. Sisters? Current best friend? Cousins?

Example: my BP is made up of my 3 favorite women: my sister, my daughter, and one of my cousins. That's it. Partly because I didn't want a huge bridal party. But also because these are the women I'm close to, and see and talk to on a regular basis.

Other women in your life can certainly be invited guests. But the BP are your most special.

My view is that your bridal party should be your absolute nearest and dearest. For me, that includes family and future family, assuming you already have a good relationship with them. Nobody should be asked to fill that role out of obligation. My FH's sister won't be able to make it to the wedding (pregnant and lives out of state), but I still consider her to be co-MoH with my sister. We get along great and absolutely love each other. She's over the moon for us and is definitely someone who will continue to support our marriage. If you can't say that about the sister or cousin, or don't really have much of a relationship with them, I definitely wouldn't ask them to be in the bridal party.