Number of bridesmaids and groomsmen

Yes, yes, yes to what Celia said! Many people asked do not WANT the expenses and time involved with being in a wedding party. Despite the truth that all you *have* to do is get the attire and show up, we all know most of our loved ones will often end up doing more than that. It's expensive and stressful. But family/friends love you, so they feel obligated to say yes. Of course, there are many people that want to be in wedding parties and don't mind, but there are also a lot for whom it's stressful.

I have 8 and FH has 6

We are having 8 on each side. We have a lot of really good friends and couldn't choose between them all.

We both have 5 (not on purpose). I don't think 7 is overdoing it - My friend has 12 BMs alone - that was little redic.

We are having 6 on each side; mainly family or friends close enough to be family. It's hard to keep up with everyone's schedules but we couldn't imagine not having these people by our sides.

It ended up getting to seven because he has more close friends than I do. He wants to add my brother and my cousin who is like a brother. That makes seven on top of his five closest friends. I can add two more people, and if it makes him happier if I add two more then I'll do it!! I know I don't have to add, I can keep my five and he can have his seven, but I don't like things to be uneven.

As of expense, I don't think it will be too bad. I've already talked to my main girls and we all decided that I will do a little something for them, but none of us are made of money. We're keeping dresses cheap too.

@audrey, so more or less you added "props" and NOT friends... go with uneven sides and deal with it.... You don't have to have what he has on his sides.

We had 6 and 6.

I have 3. Might be 4 if FH's cousin moves back to the states before the wedding. Otherwise, 3. FH hasn't decided how many he wants on his side - I couldn't care less at this point!

We both have 5. It started at 4 and then our brothers refused to officiate, so we begrudgingly added them to the bridal party. Ugh.

Me - 2 Women of Honor, 2 Brideswoman, 1 Bridesman

Him - 2 Best Men, 2 Groomswomen, 1 Groomsmen

We are uneven, I have 5 and he has 4. I have MOH plus 4 bridesmaids. He has BM plus 3 groomsmen.

@hahnsolo. They're not props. I don't mind adding them at all. I was just curious on others thoughts.

I personally think that's a lot, but whatever works for you and your FS is fine.

I'm having a MOH and FH is having a BM. That's it. I don't want to coordinate more people, and it's one way we're keeping costs a little lower. Bouquets/boutineers and giftsadd up fast!

It is a lot! lol I have 6 and I love it but it is expensive whoever you feel needs to be included do it!

I have 4, FH has 3. It's all personal preference really. Keep in mind the more you have, the more expensive it's going to be.

Ours got a little bigger than I planned, but it was mainly because FH and I both couldn't choose between two good friends each. So, we wound up with 4 adults each (including BM/MOH), plus FG, RB (each will be 3.5 years old) and another 8-year old girl who might be wrangling the younger ones, or walking before them by herself, depending on how much the little ones mature between now and then.

We had 4 on each side. it was perfect, not too much at all. As much as it is a personal decision there no way i would have wanted 7!!

We had 3 on each side plus flower girl and ring bearer. One groomsman was my older son (9 years old) I think 7 is way too many for my taste and sounds like it would be too expensive and chaotic. i had 3 not because of a number but because they are the people I wanted in my wedding. My husband originally was going to have just his best man and then my son which is what I preferred, but for some reason he felt awkward not having 3 on his side as well so he added in another guy. I really wish he hadn't done that. It's not someone that he's been friends with forever, they've only known each other for like 2 years... I don't foresee them being lifelong friends. and he's in all of these wedding pictures. Ugh.

I have 3. FH currently has 2.

I'm introverted and prefer smaller gatherings. Less drama. Less stress in making sure that 7 people have everything they need--dress, gift, bouquet, makeup, hair.

We plan on having 6 each. I also have 5 flower girls. I'm super excited to have everyone I love right up there with me, however I am conscious on budget too! Im trying to pick up little gifts for each girl over the course of a year so that I can get them at the right price!