When do you formally ask your bridal party?

Save the dates go out 6-8 months in advance.

Same timeline for bridal party, 6-8 months.

I would definitely wait until you are closer. A lot of things can happen in a year and a half!

For example, I was going to ask my FBIL's girlfriend of 4 years to be a bridesmaid in my wedding (they were talking about marriage and he was thinking about proposing). However, they recently broke up instead. Fortunately I had not asked her yet, as that would have made an unfortunate situation that much harder!

Wait until closer!

You could start asking maybe at like a year out? I know that may be earlier than what the "timelines" say but consider things like picking out bridesmaids dresses and paying for them and getting them altered and what not... a few of my bridesmaids have waited until the last minute on every single one of those things so having more time has helped

I would wait on asking the BP. Things definitely change with friendships for sure. It happened to me. But congrats. That's so exciting

6-8 months. Being the voice of the budget, I'd also research the $$ involved in gifts, flowers, RD, etc before you decide to include everyone.

Got engaged in October 2015...didn't plan on asking anyone until I was at least 6-8 months out. He had already asked his groomsmen. Due to unforeseen circumstances we had to put wedding planning on hold for a while. Booked a venue this past Feb for this October & asked my MOH the day we booked the venue. Everyone else I asked mid March which is about 7 months out.