How many Bridesmaids is TOO MANY

Not sure where you're from but in the deep south 9 isn't a huge number (a friend of mine had 14 so each groomsman just escorted two ladies and they fanned them across the back of the stage with a guy in between each).

To echo though, that is a lot of gifts to buy and a lot of moving parts to coordinate. It's really up to you though. If you haven't asked and are still deciding, who are you going to regret not being a BM? If the answer is all 9, have you 9 freakin' bridesmaids. If some are just to appease or maybe a really good but not best friend, think about some doing readings or keeping the guestbook, etc.

I have 9. I did not want this many, but there was not one girl that I could see myself "cutting". Everyone is all about trying to make the day the happiest day for myself and FH. I have 2 hairdressers coming to help with the amount of waiting time for hair and I have 2 make up artists as well. My friends will all be fine sitting and hanging out together and will not think of it as annoying that they have to wait to get their hair and make up done. It is going to be a little costly due to bouquets and gifts, but to have the people standing with you that you feel should be there is worth the investment. People have told me I am crazy and my comment became that yes, it is a large number but I consider myself lucky to have these girls that all want to be a part of my day.

I have 9 bridesmaids. My sister, 2 FSILs, 3 best friends from high school, 1 friend since 4th grade, 1 friend from grad school and 1 friend that we credit with introducing us.

I love all these girls, but the main reason I have so many was because my fiance could not choose between his friends. He wanted 10 initially but I begged him to cut it down but he said 9 was as low as he could go -_-

Pros (in my opinion)

All my friends are wonderful and even though I did not ask or expect them to do anything but buy the dress and come to my wedding, they have been great at offering time, help, support while I vent etc. And it's nice to have that support system while wedding planning.

At the same time, the only wedding related event i will be having is a bachelorette. I decided on no bridal shower or bridesmaids luncheon or whatever else there is because I didn't want people to have to spend money on events I didn't care for.

Cons

It is EXPENSIVE. We are providing lodging for the whole bridal party (plus dates) for the weekend because it is a DW in the mountains. We have 2 large lodges, 1 for bridesmaids and 1 for groomsmen. We are also spending a little over $100/person for bridal party gifts so it really adds up. Make sure you budget for all the extra associated costs.

I really think it comes down to you and how well you know your friends. All mine were very easy going and I have regular contact with them even tho we live in 5 different cities. In other situations, I could see where 9 would cause too much drama for what it's worth.

Also, in response to your other thread, do NOT add someone to your bridal party because you feel bad hurting their feelings.

If 9 feels right, then 9 it should be. I'm having 7, my sister had 8, I'm in my cousin's wedding and she is also having 9. If you truly feel like they are your nearest and dearest and you can't imagine your day without them then have them all. I understand that when people question you (especially those that are close like mothers for example) you may doubt yourself. So take a deep breath and decide what feels right for you.

I had 8 and it was just fine, there was no drama and i am glad that i had each one of them by my side. i let them pic their own dresses so they could all get one within their budget. it worked out for me but for some people it can be a lot.

"but I would probably try to get your bridesmaids count down to 5 people would get bored having to wait through all of them just to see the bride haha"

Lauren you are on a roll today!

Just wanted to add another budget consideration I did not see in prior posts: transportation. If you are going to get pictures taken with your bridal party, or transport them from a church to a venue... you are going to need a bus. I also agree about the bridesmaid coordination. Do all of these ladies live in the same area, or are they from the different places you have lived? If you are stressed about this all now, it will only be 10x worse a year from now.

I have 3 sisters and so does FH. That's 6. I also have 2 really close cousins and FH has a niece, all of whom are really important to us. I also have my Man of Honor who is like a brother to me. That is 10, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

I have seen extremely large bridal parties and very small bridal parties done beautifully. It's not a big deal until you make it one.

I think a large bridal party has the potential to add a lot of stress to your day. Hair/makeup, rehearsal dinner, transportation, extra costs exc. It has nothing to do with them not being good enough friends. But only you know your crowd, if they are all low drama and get along with each other then go for it.

I am of the opinion that anything beyond 4-5 starts to get to be way too much to handle for all involved. Whenever I do hair/mu for large wedding parties like that, its always pure chaos with wedding parties that large. Too many people, too many opinions, too much going on, from what i'm handling (needing to bring in extra hair and makeup people), to who is getting dressed where, keeping track of bouquets, jewelry, etc, the photographer trying to wrangle it all for good photos, bridesmaids 2-5 being in the room with you, bridesmaid 6 is stuck in traffic, no one knows where 7 and 8 are, the maid of honor is running late and bridesmaid 9 is crying about something and no one knows why. Its a hot mess almost always.

The bride is always stressed and its nearly impossible to keep to the day of schedule. Spare yourself the headache. I'm sure someone will chime in and remark that their wedding with 27 bridesmaids went off without a hitch and everyone was 100% stress and drama free - and hey, more power to you if you can make it work. But the reality is, it adds stress for most brides IME.

I don't understand the posts about the stress of having to deal with that many people on your wedding day. I've been in weddings ranging from 3-8 bridesmaids and honestly the only one with an issue was the smallest BP. The other two weddings we just chilled in the bridal suite/house and waited until it was time to get ready, nobody had to "wrangle" us because we're adults.

Haha Lauren, not gonna lie, I had a similar thought. Like it's clowns getting out of a car waiting for the bride...

"Ya Susie.. it's not going to work out. I decided to cut some bridesmaids and I've voted you off my sparkly bridesmaid slave island. I hope you'll attend the wedding as a guest though and bring a gift. Cash preferably. Also, do you mind letting Shannon, Lucy and Diana know? They've been voted off too."

Please don't advise people to kick out 4 bridesmaids just because..

To clarify - It wouldn't be reason enough to NOT have your nine best friends in your bridal party, but it WOULD be a long wait haha

I should also add that i had 2 MUA/hair stylist, so that helped a lot with getting ready

I think 9 is a lot. Any more than 5 is a lot. 3 or 4 is best in my opinion.

If you have to ask if 9 is too many than it probably is. But yes, 9 is a lot.

I know I'm ancient, but I don't get the concept that being one of 10 BM's is an honor.....

Everyone at your wedding should be important to you.

I feel like anymore than 5 is too many. We are only having 4. 9 is outrageous. But if u already asked you can't take it back