How in advance do you pick bridesmaids/groomsmen

An agreement? Like a contract? Are you paying them to be in your BP? FFS.

To answer your question: 6-8 months before is when you should ask.

I think 8-9 months before the wedding is good. Do not make them sign contracts. They are not employees.

ETA Spelling

You shouldn't ask anyone to be in your bridal party until about 8 months before the wedding. Also, you should never make then sign a contract. All they are required to do is buy a dress and show up on your big day. That's it

No, the bridal party is compiled of people close to you that you trust. You don't make them sign an agreement, they're adults who are doing you a favor by being part of your special day. I chose mine about a year out, but most people wait longer because it makes for less drama. I have one bridesmaid who says that she can't pay for her dress, which irritated me at first because the dress is only $120, but the store set her up on a payment plan so it all worked out. Pick people you trust and love and want to be around.

No no no to the contracts! Agree with pp's about timeline of asking.

You should never ask anyone to sign an agreement. What?

We are only having a MOH/Best Man, and we asked them about a year in advance, because we were sure that we were asking my only sister and FH's best friend of 45 years.

What on earth....this is a first. No you don't have people sign agreements. When you ask someone to be in your wedding you take a chance. If you pay for their dress, you take a chance. And you usually wait about 8-9 months out like the others said.

The suggestion of a contract is so insanely terrible and hilarious that I might now send a funny one to my attorney sister as a joke (I'm also an attorney ) when I ask her to be my MOH. So thanks for the awesome idea, I guess.

You can do it whenever you like..but, realize things do happen and some things might change. I'm asking my BP in December..I've made them something special too...I'm so excited can't wait to share with you guys.

Bridal party agreement ? Well that's a new one..

8-9 months, but unless you're going to pay them to be your bridesmaids a contract is ridiculous. These are your best friends. I'd probably not be friends with anyone who asked me to sign a bridesmaid's "agreement".

Uhhhh, please remember that these are your friends/family, not employees. Don't make them sign anything.

For silver jade.. I don't think it's a joke I never done this before so that why I'm asking.. and for your info I have seen bride do that with the bridesmaid.. so that why I was asking couse i have seen it before on TV plus it my day and I know how the girls can be since I'm the first in the group to get marry.. I don't want to be a bitch with them. I am picking the dress and shoes and want them all with the same hair up do..

People don't sign contracts to be in weddings. I guess if you're worried about it then just make sure they know they have to buy a dress in x amount of price range and tell them when your wedding date is. That's really the only information they would need. Anything more than buying a dress and showing up isn't mandatory

I picked about 9 months in advance but I picked family and friends I've known since kindergarten. Just be careful who you pick if u pick a year out bc u don't no of you will still be friends a year from now. No I trust my friends not to screw me over I didn't make them sign anything. Of they pulled out or didn't pay for something I would hope there is a good reason and I would try to understand.

OP, you might want to lurk a little on here to learn about wedding party etiquette. There are a lot of misconceptions in the real world (and on TV) about what a bridal party is and what a bridal party does. These people are your loved ones, chosen by you and your FH to be in a place of honor to witness your marriage. They should be treated like VIPs, not employees! Rule #1 is that your bridesmaids' only "duties" are to show up in the attire of your choice, relatively sober and in good spirits, on your wedding day. No contract required.

Ask whenever you want. I don't understand how everyone says to not pick your bridal party until at least a year out but will MARRY someone who you've known for less time than your bridal party. If you know, you know. If you're comfortable in your relationships with them, do it now!!

@Lindsey we tell people to wait because friendships change. There have been many posts from brides/grooms saying that they asked people to be in their bridal party 1-2 years or more in advance but then became closer to other people or had a falling out with someone. Its just advice that comes from learning from other people's mistakes.

Hey OP, use the search bar & search for the thread titled IT'S NOT YOUR DAY.

OP: I wouldn't ask any earlier than a year out. As other people are saying, around 8 months is the sweet spot. That should still be well before any festivities begin (I asked my youngest sister the day I got engaged because she's 17 and had told my mom she was worried she wouldn't be asked, so I wanted to soothe those fears, but I didn't ask anyone else until I was 8 months out, had a date and venue solidified and everything).

Being a MOH means buying a dress, showing up, and giving a speech. Being a BM means buying a dress and showing up. NOTHING else is required. If they can and want to throw you a shower/bachelorette party, then that's great. If not, re-read the first two sentences of this paragraph.

An agreement or contract for your BMs is insulting. Imagine if your friend asked you to do her a favor... and then made you sign a contract stating that you would do said favor exactly the way she wanted it done. You'd be pretty livid I bet. The same thing goes for BM contracts. They're not cute, funny, or helpful. They're insulting.