Make Life Easier on Your Wedding Party
When you ask friends and family members to be a part of your wedding party, you are telling them how special they are to you. Of course, being a bridesmaid or groomsman can also be a stressful experience. If you want to make the process enjoyable for all involved, you must take certain precautions when planning your event. Consider these suggestions and see how you can make life easier for the loved ones in your party.
Start Introductions as Early as Possible
A wedding party can sometimes be an eclectic mix of people you have known throughout your life. You may be inviting a sibling, a cousin, a childhood friend, and a college roommate to come together and work as a group. However, these people may have never met each other before. Since the members of your party will need to communicate regularly, you must facilitate introductions as early as possible. One simple way to achieve this is by inviting all participants to a preliminary “welcome” gathering. A simple event like a brunch or hangout at your home will suffice.
If people are scattered in different locations and can’t physically meet early in the process, consider starting a group text. Not only does this provide the group with immediate contact info for each member, it also makes introductions as easy as sending a quick text message.
Clearly Explain Financial Expectations
You are likely spending a lot of money on your wedding. To save funds, many couples ask the wedding party to cover certain expenses, like purchasing or renting their own dresses and suits. Unfortunately, there are couples who expect more from their party members without making these demands known. For example, the wedding party will typically coordinate the bachelor and bachelorette parties. If you want the group to throw these preliminary events and pay for them, you need to make this clear from the start. Surprising the group with extra financial burdens can lead to strained relationships.
Give Everyone a Specific Task For Your Party
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with your wedding party is assuming that everyone knows what jobs they are expected to handle. If you want one person to cover the shower plans and another to focus on booking rooms for the bachelorette party, you need to communicate this request. Delegating tasks is the only way to guarantee that everyone is on the same page. Remember, just because the maid of honor or best man traditionally takes on certain assignments does not mean your friends will automatically know what they are supposed to cover.
Be Open and Honest
Planning a wedding can be stressful, and couples often take their frustrations out on the people closest to them. If someone in your group does something that upsets you, it is important that you are open about your feelings. Keeping your emotions to yourself is an easy way for resentment to build and come out in other ways. When a friend buys shoes that don’t align with your vision, say something in a kind and supportive way. The more honest you are, the less likely it is you will explode over something small as the wedding date approaches.
Show Your Thanks For Your Wedding Party
Finally, don’t forget to show proper thanks to the members of your party. Whether you treat the group to a nice dinner or give thoughtful presents as a token of appreciation, you want to express your gratitude in a direct way. Small gestures can have a big impact and will remind your group why they agreed to take part in your special day in the first place.
Knowing how to treat the members of your wedding party is important for putting together an event that goes smoothly. As long as you show proper care, appreciation, and respect, you should have no trouble keeping everyone involved in good spirits.