Q.
I am fortunate to have many close girlfriends. However, a friend said she thought that it might be tacky to have more than 5 bridesmaids. I wouldn't want to leave anyone out, but I wouldn't want to have more bridesmaids than groomsmen. Is it appropriate to have as many as 8-10 bridesmaids?
A.
It's not necessarily tacky, but things can get out of hand if the wedding party is too big. For one thing, you'll want to be sure there aren't more people standing up at the altar than are sitting in the pews! It's true that you want your wedding party to be somewhat proportionate to the size of your guest list. Also take into consideration the size of your ceremony site -- will everyone fit up front? And last, consider the logistics -- finding a dress (or even a few styles) that ten women will like, making sure everyone gets fitted, and so on. Even the closest of friends sometimes find their relationships strained over this sort of thing. All that said, the truth is, the number of bridesmaids you have is solely up to you. If you have 10 dear friends and you want them all to stand up for you at the wedding, so be it. And it really doesn't matter if you have more women than men in the wedding party; symmetry is not required. Also consider this -- you can have your bridesmaids (and groomsmen too) walk in the procession and then simply sit in a row in the first pew. They don't have to stand up the entire time. (You and your groom will probably want to have your maid of honor and best man standing next to you however.) This way, everyone you want to honor gets honored, but it won't get too crowded.
See More: Your Bridal Party , Choosing Attendants , Bridesmaids , Basics for Bridesmaids
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kiwilynda
can you tell me if I can have 10 groomsmen and only 5 bridesmaids.
57304775 
Sailor_girl612
I am having ten and FI is having ten. It sounds ridiculous, but both of us have an extended circle of close friends and family..I couldn't cut ANY (I've already stood in 8 weddings) without feelings being hurt..and there isn't anybody that I WANT to cut. We are also having a huge (350-400) guest list. I am only requiring the girls to wear a black knee length dress..they have dozens to choose from I REALLY like the idea of having them walk and then sit in the first pews..AWESOME idea. Then just the maid of honor and the best man stand up! Brilliant!
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smileylynz
Good to know, I'm trying to decide between 1/3/4 at the moment! I thought 4 was too much, but maybe not! Thanks,
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caitlin.tobik
If you want a to think of it in terms of numbers, I have heard you should have 1 bridesmaid per 50 guests. It still truly comes down to what makes you, the bride happy. I have 4 bridesmaids and I think that is the perfect number for me and very easy to manage.
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KellyISU13
You might also want to think about space at the front of the church. We have a large guest list in a large church but because of how much room is at the front can only have 3-4 people stand with each of us. It is a Methodist church so no sitting in the front pew for the party either.