What is the average wedding party size

As you choose the right size event for you, think about what you can realistically afford. At the end of the day, your budget is really what decides what type of wedding you'll have and how many people you should invite.

If you have a larger budget and a smaller guest list, you'll have more flexibility in terms of spending more on the vendors you really want and personalizing your day with unique details. But if it's important to you to celebrate with everyone you know, you can make that happen by cutting back on certain decorative elements. Martha Stewart Weddings. By Aleesha Thomas Updated March 26, Save Pin More. Credit: Zosia Zacharia.

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Wedding Rings. Wedding Jewelry. To determine the right size wedding party for you, consider what role you want your party to play, what your venue will allow, and who is significant enough to you and your partner to stand up with you when you get married.

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This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Clarify the role your wedding party will play in planning.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen not only show up for the ceremony, they also play important roles in planning events like the wedding shower, the bachelorette and bachelor parties, and serve as support and sounding boards throughout the wedding planning process. Consider that the more voices you have in the wedding planning process, the more conflicting opinions and ideas you will have to navigate and compromise between.

The number of people included in your wedding party will be impacted by what their roles will be during the ceremony. Do you intend to have all members of the party stand up with you during the exchange of vows, only the maid of honor and best man, or will all of them be seated for the ceremony?

Review the style of your wedding. While you can do whatever you want with your big day, generally speaking the larger the wedding, the more attendants you will have. Additionally, a more formal wedding typically has more attendants, while a semi-formal wedding may only have a few, and city hall wedding may have just one pair or none at all.

Contact the venue. One of the first things you need to do once you have decided what role your wedding party will play in the ceremony is contact your venue. They may have certain limitations regarding how many people can fit at the altar or whatever the vow exchange is to take place.

Likewise, seating space in the first row may be limited if you plan to have your wedding party seated during the ceremony. Consider your budget. If you plan to have your bridesmaids carrying bouquets and boutonnieres for the groomsmen, remember that you assume the cost of those floral arrangements. Likewise, traditionally gifts are given to both bridesmaids and groomsmen as a thank-you for their time and effort, and transportation for photographs, which will add additional expense onto the wedding.

Likewise, look online or in bridal stores for gift ideas for the wedding party to get a sense of what the expense for those items will be. Part 2.