How to include great friends in the wedding without them being bridesmaids?

I think having them at sleepover and getting ready day of is enough. If they were that important you would break the 15 person rule and include them.

We have seen countless brides on here, put these types of peoples as attendants, which they used as personal slaves the day of.

I would either include them or just leave it where youare now. Hopefully someone else has a genius idea but I dont really see there being a way. Except maybe having them each do a reading or do it together?

Could they do a reading?

ETA: I'm not sure if I would be comfortable attending a bridal party slumber party if I wasn't important enough to be asked to be in the bridal party. Just some food for thought.

At this point in the game, I see that you really have no choice except to keep it as is. If they were really important to you, they would have been in the wedding. If I were them, I probably would be hurt that you couldn't add them in, when you already have 15 in the party.

Edited to add: I don't even know 15 people that I really like, more less have them in my wedding party.

You can't ask them now. It's too late and they'll know they were second choice. Ask them to do a reading.

You can always ask them to do a reading

Thanks everyone! i was really open to them about how i wish i could have had them more involved but the bridal party is filled. The reason I am keeping to a smaller bridal party is because our photographer asked us to try and keep it small because we do not have a big time frame the day of to take many bridal party photos and i wanted to keep it small because ive been in larger bridal parties where there are issues coordinating because the party is too large. i have 3 sisters so they take up the majority of the party. they just said they want to be by my side the entire day and as much as possible before that so i think that is all im going to do! our church is only letting us have 2 readings and we asked our godparents to do those so i dont think i have much more of an option!

Ya do not tell them the bridal party is "filled". They will know thats BS and you could've had whatever sized party you watned.

I would be pissed if my photog said that to me as well. He doesnt get to determine your wedding party size. Its his job to figure it out. I dont think you need a ton of photos with allt he BM's individually so I dont see the difference.

Sounds like they are already ok with just being there the night before and morning of. I think your ok.

I had a similar problem. We have uneven parties, but didn't want it extremely uneven. I ended up with 2 friends who I would have asked had I felt I could have had more people. I asked one to read, which seemed appropriate (we have been friends for 13 years, but aren't as close anymore) and the other to MC, which again seemed right. Out of all my friends she is the most outgoing and seemed perfect for the job. They are both getting ready with us and are going to wear the same color as the BMs. They are both very excited about the wedding.

We asked one of DH's closest friends to be the MC. We told him that he was important enough to be chosen as a GM, but that we felt nobody would do a better job as an MC (all of which is true). And we were right - he was an amazing MC. Maybe one of them would be willing to be your MC? Or give a speech during the reception instead of the BMs?

What religion are you? Feel free to decline to answer. The reason I'm asking is that in Catholic church there are other roles you can give people, such as placing the lasso on you or holding your bouquet. Sounds really silly out of context, but it's an option.

Finally, if you're honouring late family/loved ones, you could ask them to join the processional carrying a picture of said loved one. I know this is not for everyone and some find it kind of sad to have something like this, but it might be another option.

Weddings crack me up. It's one of the only occasions where being put to work is considered an honor lol. An invitation to share in one of your most special days should be honor enough...unless you invited 500+ people.