Small vs. large wedding parties
From bachelor(ette) parties to day-of duties, wedding party members are typically integral to the planning process. They are often tasked with DIY projects, guest communications, and—perhaps most importantly—emotional support. They’ll surround you with love, paving an easy path to the aisle for you and your partner.But selecting the people who will stand by your side at the biggest moment of your life can get complicated. Do you want a large crew that will turn every gathering into a party? Or do you prefer to stick with a few besties who have seen it all? Small and large wedding parties each carry benefits, but they also present unique challenges.
Before pulling out all the stops on your bridesmaid proposals, keep reading to determine whether a small or large wedding party fits your big day better.
Pros of small wedding parties.
Less is more, as they say! When it comes to wedding parties, you’ll find that smaller groups come with less stress and more meaningful connections — especially on the wedding day when it’s easy for nerves to get out of control.
“Having fewer people in your wedding party makes getting ready less of a circus,” confirms Karen Collins of KMC Weddings and Events. “It can be a quiet time to prepare for your day and really enjoy it with the absolute closest people to you.”
Fewer wedding party members means you won’t need to spend as much time on hair and makeup, so you can catch a few extra Z’s or get an earlier start on the celebrations!
Likewise, Nikki Golden of Nikki Golden Photography notes that you’ll also get to save time during cocktail hour. “With a small wedding party, you can decrease your photo time significantly, which gives you more time to spend with your guests,” she explains.
Another huge perk of a smaller wedding party is the freedom to spoil your squad. While a large wedding party can get cost-restrictive, “a smaller wedding party will allow you to gift more to your loved ones,” adds Diane Kolanović-Šolaja of Dee Kay Events.
“With 2 or 3 in your party, you can purchase their bridesmaid dress or tuxedo,” she says. “The ability to give more creates intimacy and connection even further to create the memories that matter.”
Kevin Dennis of Fantasy Sound Event Services says, “This also means that you’ll likely have more of an overlap in terms of everyone’s budget comfort. Being a wedding party member can get pricey, and juggling upwards of 20 different budgets and ensuring everyone is comfortable with the overall spend can get out of hand quickly. Having fewer people in your party is much more manageable, and it’s easier to communicate about these sometimes tough conversations.”
So if you’d prefer to prioritize deeper connections and enjoy a calmer wedding day, consider scaling back on your wedding party and keeping it small!
Cons of small wedding parties.
Most of the time, couples choose a large wedding party simply because they don’t want to leave anyone out. For this reason, a smaller group may not work in your circle.
Lilia Shatnaya of Plume and Stone offers a reminder that “you may not be able to include all the friends you would like. Some people may even get upset or offended for not being included.”
And while it is your wedding day, you might want to preserve your relationships with friends and family by asking them to join your wedding party.
(A pro tip from Bridal Bliss and Rock Paper Coin’s Nora Sheils: “One way to avoid that is to include them in the getting ready festivities, and you never know, they may thank you for not having to wear a bridesmaids dress or rented suit!”)
But hurt feelings aside, fewer people means less support throughout the planning process and on the big day itself.
“Having a smaller wedding party might mean fewer helping hands if push comes to shove with something like running interference with an invasive relative,” notes Amber Anderson of Refine for Wedding Planners.
Plus, if you expect your wedding party to turn the party up a notch, you might have a hard time with only a few of you leading the charge. As Mary Angelini of Key Moment Films explains, “it's the responsibility of the wedding party to lead the party to the dance floor. If there is a small wedding party, there will be less help to get guests up and to dance and create a celebratory atmosphere.”
Yes, smaller wedding parties offer a calm and straightforward approach to your wedding day. But if you’d pick “upbeat and energetic” over “chill and tranquil” any day, you’ll probably want to think bigger for your wedding.
Pros of Large Wedding Parties
On the other end of the spectrum, larger wedding parties are great for creating a lively atmosphere at your wedding. The more, the merrier!
“If you are really into having the party of a lifetime, a big wedding party will do that for you,” Kolanović-Šolaja promises. “They will be the first on the dance floor and the last to leave the after-party. These are your hype people, and they will bring the dancing, laughs and good fun all around.”
Plus, more people means more support — and when planning a wedding, there’s no such thing as too much help.
“With a larger wedding party, you'll have more people to rely on for support throughout the planning process and on the wedding day,” Angelini says. “They can help with everything from picking out decorations to handling last-minute emergencies.”
Golden adds that “weddings are definitely an “all hands on deck” type of affair, so having a large bridal party can certainly help you get lots of things checked off your “to-do” list leading up to the big day!”
And if you and your partner have many friends, it might be your only chance for some awesome pictures of the whole gang. Nothing beats a group pic, especially when you don’t have to squeeze into the selfie camera!
“Having your best guys and gals by your side on your wedding day allows you the opportunity to have great group pictures,” affirms Kate Rudloff of A Final Take Films. “Whether popping champagne, linking arms or posing together, having a larger wedding party can allow for more grand imagery.”
Large wedding parties can change the whole vibe of your celebration, adding vibrancy and enthusiasm to the reception. And if you could use the extra support from your loved ones, it’s worth expanding to include everyone!
Cons of Large Wedding Parties
While smaller wedding parties offer simplicity, larger squads can create more headaches than expected. “Larger wedding parties are more people to manage,” reminds Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings. “Between personalities clashing, figuring out responsibilities between everyone AND getting your wardrobe/outfits ready for the big day - you may find yourself overcommitted to trying to help everyone have a good time or get along.”
You’re planning a wedding — you don’t need the added responsibility of wrangling everyone in your wedding party. And you might not want the extra costs associated with every additional person in your group.
“A larger wedding party means a bigger budget for bouquets/boutonnieres, attendant gifts, and the rehearsal dinner,” assures Peter Mitsaelides of Brooklake Country Club & Events. When you factor in additional expenses like gifts, accommodations, beauty styling, and attire, it’s easy to blow your budget on a large wedding party.
More people can also mean a longer wedding day timeline, starting with getting ready in the morning. Rudloff says, “you will also need to set aside more time on the wedding day for hair and makeup preparations. Trust me, it takes longer than most people anticipate, and a larger wedding party exponentially increases the time and cost requirements.”
You will also need to factor in more buffer time for moments that require your whole wedding party’s attention: ceremony processional, recessional, formal portraits, grand entrance, introductions, and toasts could all take longer than expected.
So, will you opt for a small or large wedding party? One is not better than the other — the best option is the one that feels right for you and your partner. No matter your choice, you’ll love knowing your favorite people will be at your side when it’s time to say, “I do!”
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker, adjunct professor in the field of public relations, and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.