Other roles besides Bridesmaids

They could do a reading for you. or sing (if they know how) and also be hostess.

In charge of the guest book, in charge of the presents...

Ushers, guestbook attendants

They could do a reading during the ceremony, a speech during dinner, greet and help guests find seating, pass out programs, organize formal photos for photographer (so long as they know most of the family members, photography can get really chaotic without someone helping get everyone into place) also they could ask everyone to sign the guestbook, if they are close to you they could help you go around to tables and thank everyone for coming and schmooze your out of town guests to make sure they are having fun, get you and your husband's meal if you are doing buffet, and you could use someone to act as a lady in waiting during hair and makeup in the morning. There is always SOMETHING you forgot in the morning that you need someone to run and get.

Also, I had a friend come early and act as my coordinator, and another dd video recording the whole ceremony because we used storymix, the company where you record the video and the professionally edit. There are a lot of things your friends could help with for sure. We needed help with all of the stuff I llisted above. Not to mention centerpieces, and someone to help find a place for my purse, veil, keys, and other stuff I couldn't keep track of.

I'm having a similar dilemma - I think we will nix having a WP all together because I have so many dear girlfriends, I can't possibly include them all in that way. I've heard of other brides having a "shout-out" in the program for "honorary bridesmaids" or something similar. I also like the idea of friends doing a reading during the ceremony. Is one of your friends a ham? They might make a good emcee if you don't already have one!

All of the roles about sound like great ideas. The only thing I would caution against is giving out jobs that are work people don't really want to do. If a friend asked me to be her guest book attendant, I would do it because I was flattered she had asked but it also sounds super boring.

I made one of my close friends the coordinator for the wedding. And then it just ended up she’s going to be a bridesmaid. I just felt bad her contributing so much time, effort, and money into my day and bridal shower that I wouldn’t honor her with having her stand up with us on our day.

I also have a lot of close friends. And there’s been a lot of drama; people are upset I didn’t include them. Honestly it is and it is. Pick the friends that are closest to you, and leave it there. If they are your true friends they won’t let this affect your friendship.

Your friends should understand if they can't be a part of the wedding party, especially if you have family you feel like you need to include. At a certain point it just becomes a numbers thing.

Serious question (not be snarky): is there a reason anyone needs a guest book attendant? I have literally never heard of this except on Sex & the City and I don't get it

Kate – it’s not necessary but I think it’s helpful. At my friend’s wedding we had no clue we were supposed to sign a picture of her and her FH. It would’ve been nice if someone was standing there handing us a pen SIGN THE GUEST BOOK NOW. It may seem like a redundant task, but I think it’s important.

I was just at a wedding where the bride had a "bride's proxy" listed in the program. We were all super confused. Apparently, it's a southern tradition to have someone else walk down the aisle for you at the rehearsal dinner because apparently it's bad luck to walk down the aisle more than once. I had never heard of it before, but according to my friend who got married it's as big of an honor as being a bridesmaid, but the proxy doesn't have to buy the dress or anything.

Wedding traditions can be so weird sometimes.

My bridal party is already larger than I wanted and I have a big family and so does my fiance. I have family members on both ends who are in their feelings because they were not chosen as part of the bridal party. How can they be included other than standing beside my future husband and I? I love them dearly and their feelings matter to me.

I LOVE the idea of a wedding coordinator. I have my two brothers in law's (?) girlfriends who I'm very close with but they're not in the wedding. I am going to appoint both of them with that to go to each venue early and ensure everything looks good and take care of the day-of vendor communication and payment.

Readings, programs, guest book attendant, someone could hand out bubbles for the recessional (if you would do that). You could also do a girlfriends dance at the reception! Have the DJ play a song you all love and live it up with just you and your girls!

I would be careful throwing jobs at girls who aren't in your wedding party. I would say have one or two of them give out programs if you want, because that's not a huge time where they'd want to be doing something else and means your asking them to show up a little early which would make them feel special to be there and maybe see you in your dress early, but the best thing to do would be to tack on as many people as you want for the bachelorette party. Not sure if this is normal elsewhere, but in my area, you can pretty much have whoever you want there if you had more people you wanted in the bridal shower but it was just too much. As long as they're invited to the wedding, they can be there. I would personally rather be told "hey! sorry I couldnt have you in the wedding party, you know how I am and I have a lot of close friends, but lets all party!" then being told I had to keep track of all the gifts instead of enjoy cocktail hour. But it seems like that's more common based off all these comments, if it was a normal thing up here for people to do that, I'd probably be on board with helping out! It's just not something I've heard of before. I've heard of doing readings or toasts before if not in the wedding party like some of the comments are saying, that would be good too!