Friends or family in wedding party?

I pulled in my FH's sister into my wedding party (I have no siblings and he just has the one sister) but I'm a bridesmaid in an upcoming wedding where the bride and groom both have several siblings, and their wedding parties are friends only. I think it's totally fine to do that, especially if you omit all your family members so it's not like you're picking a single favorite. You could always make them ushers or have them do a reading if you want to include them, but not in your wedding party.

Thank you Sara!

If you can build your wedding party on friends and not include family, I don't see the problem with that. I feel like with family wedding parties, you're pressured to include everyone so no one feels left out. Part of me wishes we had gone without a wedding party but it's a little late now that we've asked all our siblings

We are having just friends and no family, no one was upset about it.

One of my sisters just had her friends in her wedding party and I was not offended in the slightest. I didn’t have any expectation that I would be in her wedding. I did a reading in her wedding instead. I was the MOH in another sister’s wedding and BM for another sister. It was a beautiful gesture and I really appreciated it, but it wasn’t necessary.

I definitely recommend having both friends and family. Sometimes family can be "difficult" in bridal parties for example a sister won't think twice about complaining about the bridesmaid dress and throwing a fit at you (because siblings fight :p), but a friend is less likely to act like that. But a sister will always be in your life and a friend might not be. I feel like the best bridal parties have both friends and siblings. I got a lot closer with my husband's sister from having her as a bridesmaid and same with my husband and my brother.

Thank you ladies, this is very helpful! I like the ideas of giving a reading . Thanks again!

View Quoted Comment Very good point too Brittany. Thank you!

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No problem! And don't be afraid of a large bridal party. I know so many people that had really big bridal parties due to them having so many siblings and friends and they had WAY less complaints about their bridal party than other's I know that only a few in their bridal party.

I have 1x cousin and all 4x friends in my bridal party. I almost had 2x cousins, but my 1x cousin wanted to be the MOH & was upset that she wasn't chosen as one. I have 2x family members in the junior bridal party, also 1x godson (whom I consider family) and his brother.

I'm having only friends in my bridal party. My sister and I just don't share close enough of a bond, but my closest friends are more like sisters to me. It really depends on how close you are to your family members!

View Quoted Comment Thanks Kelly!

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I agree!

My SIL is in my wedding party...but only because we are close friends also. Family & Friends should love & support you regardless of who is chosen to be in the bridal party. The ones that make a big stink about it (in my opinion) are the ones that would be the biggest headache if they were part of the wedding lol. It becomes "their" vision instead of your wedding.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! You’re right haha!

I think it's a great idea if it works out for you. I only have 1 sister, fiance has 4 brothers. He picked his best friend to be his best man and I picked my sister to be my MOH. We haven't had anyone complain or say anything so it all works out

Our party consists mostly of close friends. We have 6 bridesmaids and 6 groomsmen. My FH chose his 5 close friends and his brother. I have my 4 close friends, my cousin who is like my little sister and my FSIL as my bridesmaids.

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Yes—this was our thinking, too. My husband had his cousin as his best man, my brother as a groomsman and four friends. I had his sister, a female cousin of his, two of my cousins and four friends. To be honest, I wouldn't have had his cousin if he didn't say 1. it was important to him 2. she'd be really upset if she wasn't included. At the end of the day, I'm happy enough I included her for those reasons. She'll be in our lives forever.