Fourteen bridesmaids! What do you think?

Question

The person who waxed my eyebrows for my wedding was telling me they were doing the brows and makeup for another wedding that evening with 14 bridesmaids!

I've never known anyone personally to have more than 7, and I consider that to be a lot. The general rule of thumb is 1 bridesmaid for 50 guests, so this was enough for a 700 guest wedding. I think that when one pairs 14 bridesmaids with 14 groomsmen + flowergirls, etc. that the wedding becomes a sort of a Disney parade that's tedious for the guests to watch.

Just my 2 cents. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Obnoxious.  One on each side is more than enough!  

Answer 2

I think it would get out of control.

I had three.  It was perfect!

Answer 3

People get a bit overzealous about weddings. Quite frankly, especially in this day and age, most weddings have become are over priced productions, and is disgraceful, especially for those who pt themselves in debt over it.

Answer 4

It's too much. How much of an honor is it to be asked to be in the bridal party if everyone she knows is in it?  I'll bet her guests are talking about her, and not in a good way.

Answer 5

sounds like somebody did know how to say no to some friends...lol.  14 is just way too many.  I realize that people dont want to leave friends and family out or anything, but you have to do what you have to do.  I left out some good friends from my wedding party and just had then attend as guests.  they understood.  14 people standing up front during the ceremony is just going to look like a jumbled up mess of people and means alot of wedding party gifts.  and one heck of a head table?

Answer 6

good Lord!

why don't you just include the rest of the wedding in the wedding party too? wow...

it definately ain't something i'd do, but i guess if they have the money and stuff to do it, more power to them. lol

Answer 7

Well, I think it's silly - who has 14 close friends/family members...

I've never heard your rule of thumb, lol. Usually the couple getting married chooses three or four of each gender to be attendants, no matter the number of guests.

Our wedding was for 200, and we had four attendants each.

Answer 8

Even I think that is a lot, however there are several cultures and nationalities that customarily have all of the family members (sisters, cousins, etc) as bridesmaids, so we can really judge without knowing all of the facts.

Answer 9

I agree with you.  That is WAY too many bridesmaids.  It'll look more like a circus than a wedding.

Answer 10

I think it's just another sign of what a circus some people have turned weddings into. Instead of focusing on what's important - saying these wonderful vows to the person you love in front of the people that matter to you - they focus on the show, the expense, and the spectacle. It's really sad.

Answer 11

Its ok if you have a big family and lots of friends.  Personally i wouldent like to pay for 14 bridesmaids dresses.

Answer 12

What a headache, when l got married late last year l decieded straight away not to have any. then decided on my husband's nieces

which was really easy. a 9 year old and a 13 year old

l chose everything dresses shoes and costume jewellery

it an be a nightmare when you have older girls deciding what they want

and then end up in competition and it tears not to say the least out of pocket

it will look ridicoulous as well

the day is to be special for the bride and group not a parade  

Answer 13

well I am getting married in June and we have 1 Matron of Honour, 5 bridesmaids and 1 little flowergirl who is to be our ring bearer.

In UK we dont match bridesmaids with groomsmen so we dont need 7 groomsmen.

Its surprising how many you cant leave out when you start choosing bridesmaids.

Answer 14

HOLY CATS!  I don't even know that many people that I would want standing up with me!  WOW!

Answer 15

My first thought was good luck to them trying to figure out a time when they are all free to go dress shopping!

Personally, I agree with you - it is a little much.

Answer 16

I agree with u! Having a total wedding party with that many people is quite a nightmare---both in terms of organising, getting everyone ready and with the photo-taking, etc! It seems more like a BYO school formal party if I try and imagine it visually! haha

Anyway, as long as the couple are happy, I wish them all the best! Wouldn't it be funny if the bridal party outnumbered the guests? Haha

Answer 17

I almost didn't want to answer this question because you had 14 answers, and I thought that was more than enough. ;D

But.........the bride is putting on a "production" instead of a wedding, so don't worry about it.

Answer 18

Its overkill. My sis just got married, cost my parents a fortune and all she did was moan.

Why not just go vegas get hitched and spend the money on a great vacation that you will remember for ever.

Answer 19

I think it's stupid! Why not cut back on your wedding and start off life without a big debt? Being in debt is the biggest cause of marriage breakups and spending a huge amount on a wedding doesn't mean the marriage will last longer either. My parents have been married for 62 years and you know where they got married? Downtown at the courthouse by a judge and a handful of friends. I was married in the living room of my parent's home and even had the reception there and I was married for 28 years before my husband passed away. My mother's parents were married at the court house by a judge and they were married 66 years before my grandmother passed away. For both my parents, grandparents and myself it was our first marriage. My sister had a huge church wedding and her marriage lasted only 2 years and she was married and divorced 7 times now. Are you beginning to see something here?

Answer 20

I once photographed a wedding with 12 B'maids... all in HOOPS, they didn't even fit at the front of the Church.

I have three myself, and frankly will prolly kill two of them before the wedding in 3 days.  I can't IMAGINE the headaches this Bride is going to have!!!

Answer 21

My husband's cousin did this. She had 16 bridesmaids. We called it the "butt bow" wedding because all we saw of the ceremony was a line of bridesmaids' butt bows. The altar was so crowded we didn't see any of the ceremony!

Even the videos and photos only show the backsides of bridesmaids.

Answer 22

I'm a bridesmaid in November for one of my best friends, who also has 14 bridesmaids. In the uk we don't match up bridesmaids to groomsmen so that isn't an issue. My friend has 3 sisters who have 5 daughters between them, so obv she has asked all them, she has me and 3 other close friends and she has asked my daughter too. I agree with what another poster wrote, that once you ask somebody, there is always someody else to ask. Personally i think that 14 is too many bridesmaids, i'm having 5 bridesmaids and 2 flower girls for my wedding, and i think that is a LOT!

Each to their own though, but i think some people are planning a wedding for what somebody else wants, not what the bride and groom want. Its a bit sad really.

Answer 23

You are so right.  And the price of the wedding goes up with each attendant.  Sounds like major headaches to me.  I cannot imagine trying to make 14 bridesmaids happy!  That would ruin the day for the bride.