Substitute bridesmaid?

Yes, I think it's tacky to have a backup bridesmaid and I'm sure most of the people here will too. Might wanna just hide this thread.

Yes. It's a bad idea.

Sides don't need to be even. That is rude and tacky AF

Bad idea. Even worse than picking your bridesmaids 2 years in advance.

It would be really mean to do this.

That is awful.

Is there anyway you could help your sister with the cost of getting to the wedding? Offer to pay for her flight/fuel so neither of you have to worry about her not making it.

Also you're not getting married for just under 2 years so wait to ask your bridal party until closer to the wedding date. Her financial situation may change by then,

Well 4 of them have been planned to be it in for many years. I'm not picking mine to be even with my fiancé's side. They are just who I've always said were going to be in it should it ever happen. So picking my bridesmaids 2 years in advance is actually good. Especially since we were wanting to do it in less than a year from now but it's just looking more practical to do it further out.

This is a really rude idea. I'd be highly offended if I was asked as a back up. Secondly, you are 2 years out. It's insane to ask people that early in advance - your relationships will change. If it's that important to have your sister come to the wedding, then why not offer to help pay for her gas if it's really that much of a hardship for her. But again, you're 2 years out. Her financial situation could change by then. There are way too many what ifs here, but the one thing that is clear is that it's rude to have a back up.

But it's not more practical because you end up in situations like this and ruin relationships when you don't know how to handle said situations.

ETA: ANDDDDD I just saw that you have another thread asking about a MOH. Don't worry about the BP until you're about 8 months out. You're about to give yourself the most unnecessary headache.

I wouldn't. I am drooling bing over 1000 miles to get married and I don't expect anyone, even my family, to do it if it's not financially able. However, my sister and family will also be traveling over a thousand miles to be there as well. If for some reason she cannot make, I will just leave her spot open...

I know alot can change in 2 years im just thinking worst case scenario. The what ifs. We want to do the wedding sooner in less than a year it's just looking like we have to push it out further. So we are looking and planning what we can now. My sisters situation is a difficult one but no I can't help her as much as I would love to. That might change depending on a few things but like I said I was only looking at worst case scenario

While it turned out fine for me to pick people 18 months in advance ( cousin, niece and 2 friends 20+ years) I don't recommend it. Do NOT ask this person to be a sub. It is incredibly poor taste to do that. I was asked at the last minute to be a possible stand in due to the BFF's sister gaining to much weight for her dress to fit. It was a simple off the clearance rack nice dress, not a formal. 2 sisters were only 2 BM's I could have worn it, but thankfully she squeezed into. I am still friends with the bride, and yes she was one of my BM's. BUT most folks get very offended by that. I didn't because I know her sister and how she was behaving for months. She has a psych history and was in a manic type phase.

2 I've known my whole life. (Sister and niece) 2 I've been friends with for more than a decade so I'm not worried about friendships ending.

But this is why I was asking I was teetering on if it would be wrong to ask.

Some people like to plan ahead I'm one of those. So for those of you saying it's too soon to think about it chill out. If this does end up happening by next October like we want im in good shape.

"Looking and planning" now--at 2 years out--should not involve picking the wedding party, you should be saving, planning a budget, and and choosing a venue.

I get the feeling you haven't even searched out a venue, just chose a day from the calendar and said 'that's the day we want'. if you'd been sussing venues you'd know you've chosen the most expensive wedding date of the week--Saturday.

Didn't even read the comments yet, but no do not do this!!!

Your wedding is in 2018. If YOUR SISTER can't figure out how to save a few bucks to get to your wedding by then, then she shouldn't be a bridesmaid anyways

Have you chosen a venue you and signed a contract for a date? If you haven't done that yet, stop worrying about your bridal party

OP knows everything so I think it's about that time.

Awesome. I am literally 90% turkey right now and am too full to sleep. This shall entertain me.