One of the most exciting parts of getting engaged and kicking off your wedding planning process is the act of asking your favorite people in the world to be in your bridal party. Chances are, you've thought long and hard about who you want to stand beside you up at the altar as you get ready to say "I do." You've probably even already thought about the style of bridesmaid dress that would look good on your group of gal pals as they transform into members of your bridal party.
So the next step, the fun step, is finally asking them a question that's filled with excitement, emotions, and great expectations: Will you be my bridesmaid?
Plans Can Change
The key is to not do it too soon. Oftentimes, brides wonder when is the best time to pop this question. A newly engaged bride may be so excited for what is to come, that she starts asking her friends the first week she is engaged. The problem with this is that plans change. At first, you may think you want 12 bridesmaids, but as you begin to plan your wedding and consider the size, you may see that 12 is way too much and you're better off with three.
Ask Your Spouse
You may even want to wait to see how many groomsmen your fiancé wants to have and come up with a joint number together.
Take Your Time
If the wedding you are planning is two years away, you may want to wait a longer amount of time before asking your bridesmaids to be your bridesmaids—since sometimes how close you are with certain people changes over the years.
Rule Of Thumb
The best rule is to ask your friends and family members to be your bridesmaids anywhere between a year to eight months before your wedding. That will give them enough time to plan the bachelorette party and get their dresses. Any less time may not be enough for them to be able to make the commitment.
Next Steps
Once you figure out timing and who you're going to ask, then you can brainstorm how you want to pop the question to your best mates.
