Is a Wedding Party Necessary?

I’m almost in the same exact situation. My family was very judgemental when I told them I didn’t want a bridal party... “you’re not going to have bridesmaids!? Whose going to plan your bridal shower!?!? You’re not going to have a MoH?! Your cousin wanted to be your bridesmaid, she’s going to be so sad!” The list goes on...

My sister has been stepping up to the plate and helping me with dress shopping and general advice. She also wants to plan a bachelorette party and organize my bridal shower. I told her I don’t need these things but she wants to do them. I feel like if she’s doing all of these things ... why couldn’t I ask her to be my MOH? But then a list of extra things pop up, like a bouquet for her and then my fiancé doesn’t have a best man, etc.

currently confused like you. I don’t have any advice for you. I know what my Fiancee would say tho.. “don’t have a bridal party if you don’t want one.” Lol

Hi love and congrats! You absolutely do not have to have a wedding party whatsoever. Sometimes, I’m like, “Darn, why did I ask?” Lol. But, I asked because the four amazing girls are my best friend and cousins raised like sisters. I couldn’t imagine my day without having that experience of the wedding party. FH chose his brother, line brother (he’s in a fraternity), Cousin and best friend too. He has the same thought as mine. If you can look back on your day and be content without the wedding party, go for it. There’s no need other than to have people who are there as a support for the entire process and shindig. You can still have that same support without having them stand with you on the day of. It’s yours and your fiancés day. Let it be about you too. Somethings you can consider is having your sister as your MOH but if that’s YOUR choice. You still wouldn’t need a whole party. Maybe your sister feels hurt that she can’t share in that joy, to that extent with you. Weddings are seemingly exciting for everyone apparently. Maybe, you can have your sister or anyone else do a reading, song or speech so, that they can still share in your day in some capacity. Just food for thought. Whatever your heart desires, you can make happen. After all, it’s your day and you shouldn’t feel guilty for how you wish to make that day memorable. I wish you the best and congrats again!

So many grammatical errors. Forgive me lol
I know the difference between to, two and too!

Wedding parties are not a requirement at all. We skipped bridesmaids and opted to only have our grown sons as escorts and best men. We really wanted our friends and her sisters to just be there to enjoy the day, not worry about dresses and the rest.

We are not having a bridal party and it's such a relief. A lot less stress and more about just me and FH. If you want, like the other poster said, you could make your sister your moh and just have her.

View Quoted Comment Omg! I’m not alone haha. And yes, my fiancé would say the same thing. He know it’s OUR day but said however I want to plan it, he’s perfectly ok with it. He has 3 close friends and 2 brothers. His best friend and brothers would for sure make the trip but we can’t speak for the other two and don’t want it to fall apart last minute. Plus I want it all to be even. My high school best friend wasn’t included in my hypothetical wedding party only because she’s a baker and she’s making the cake. I feel like that is a vital part of the big day and she’s still apart of making it special. My cousin wants to plan a bachelorette party for me, yet like you I’m thinking I don’t need all of that. If anything, I considered having a “bride tribe” to help celebrate but not an actual formal party. We’ll figure it out!

View Quoted Comment That just gave me some comfort and trust me, I make grammatical errors often lol. Thank you and congrats to you as well! My four girls are ones I literally have grown up and walked through life with. I couldn’t imagine them, my sister or even my three nieces not being involved in some capacity. My family is supportive of the none traditional way of no wedding party, however, my mom being a mom inquired and started making suggestions for her baby girl’s wedding lol. I will continue to give it some thought. Like you said, it’s what my heart desires and as long as it brings me happiness I should roll with it

View Quoted Comment I love that idea and you guys made it work. I can agree with not having others concerned with dresses and other tasks. And for me, this takes off added pressure especially since I’m planning an entire wedding from NJ and those that would be in my party all live in TN.

View Quoted Comment I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks not having a bridal party will lower stress levels. I’ve also thought about that option as well and just have my FH best friend as his best man of course, our nieces as flower girls and his son a ring bearer. Then I start feeling bad because I was in my close friend’s wedding last year and not including her would make me feel guilty. BUT I have to focus on me and what I want for my day.

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I think I would have stressed more if I had a bridal party. It is nice to have friends that I can escape wedding planning with but they still want to hear it since they have no investment in it. As long as you fell comfortable with it, and it sounds like you do, let them enjoy your day as guests.

View Quoted Comment Thank you for the feedback. It’s definitely helpful!

I'm not having a bridal party. I just think it's unnecessary, and since we're having a destination wedding I didn't want to ask anyone to have to spend money on bridal party stuff on top of traveling. Our wedding date is 2/2/2020, and I am very happy with my decision and have absolutely no regrets. My son, who will be 12, will walk me down the isle, but otherwise no one else is involved. Neither of my sisters or my fiance's sisters care, and none of them are upset their kids aren't in the wedding. If they are, they haven't mentioned it (probably because they know I wouldn't change my mind anyway). I would stick with your original intentions of no bridal party. Save your money and avoid the stress. People will always try to guilt you into something, so if you're going to give into it, at least make it something you really don't care about and that won't impact your budget.

We do not have a bridal party and it’s been one of the best decisions! Saved money and less stress. No one’s feelings were hurt they weren’t included, because no one was included lol. The people close to us know we are close; they don’t require a bridal party title to feel secure in our friendship. And they will be at the wedding, so we can still enjoy time together. Honestly, I imagine people were relieved because we saved them time, effort & money too.
A bridal party is a big expense & logistical undertaking, so it needs to be important to you to include it.

Nope. Not necessary. We had a DW with 15 guests, local reception for 50 guests, and decided no wedding party. No extra costs, stress or drama for anyone. I got ready with my mom & sister so I still had the “girls getting ready” fun & photos. #noregrets

I'm not doing a bridal party. Being a bridesmaid in someone else's wedding has made me 1000x certain about my choice. It gets expensive for everyone-- the couple, as well as the wedding party. Dresses, makeup, extra night in hotel room, rehearsal dinner -- all these are additional costs being footed by somebody.
I am very mildy sad I won't have cutesy photos with bridesmaids, but I can do that with my friends who will attend as regular guests.

No bridesmaids here either. I had a MOH, 4 bridesmaids and a jr. BM 22 years ago. I must say no bridal party is a lot less stress so far.

View Quoted Comment Love the way you’ve planned it all out. We originally thought destination as well but it was short lived because I really wanted to get married in my hometown. I moved to NJ 2 years ago and have more family down south than my FH so that part works. But I’m almost 98% sure I won’t have a wedding party now lol

View Quoted Comment Agree 100%!! A bridal party looks good and all the cute proposals and celebratory paraphernalia is fun but all of that stuff add up in the end. As long as people are invited and apart of the big day (even from a guest seat) they should know they’re important to me if I’m having them there in the first place

Honestly in hindsight I kinda wish I didn't have a wedding party aha just because it really would have made it simpler.

View Quoted Comment Yeah I was feeling some type of way about not having the cutesy photos and things that come with having a bridal party but at the end of the day, those same people will be present as guests. It does save a lot of money that can be used elsewhere (honeymooning, towards a house, etc.) so its not a big loss. I think I’m pretty sure I won’t have a bridal party.