Choose Wedding Attendants You Know Well

Dotty Answers Wedding Etiquette Questions

Dear Dorothy

We are getting married next year in June 2022 in Nairobi. We have already made our guest list but have not yet chosen the people to include in our wedding party. Where do we start? Please advice.

best regards

Alice W. G. Limuru, Kenya

Dear Alice

It is good to hear that you have already decided on the people you want to invite to your wedding.

How many guests are in your list? If they are from 300 to 1000, yours is a traditional wedding. You will have to choose from 10 - 12 brides maids and grooms men. If you are inviting 20 - 50 guests, your wedding is an informal one. You may choose from 5 - 10 attendants to help you with the planning of your wedding.

Family members and friends can go a long way to making the wedding planning process easy, pleasant, fun and fulled with laughter. They can also make the process smooth. Choose the people in your life who have genuine concern for your success and happiness. Look for qualities such as friendliness, co-operation, flexibility, a good sense of humour, obedience, cheerfulness and also humility. This will ensure you get things done as opposed to having to serve the needs of whiny attendants who contradict your plans at every step.

Being asked to be a member of a wedding party is to beston a great honour on either a family member or on a friend. It is a heartfelt way of acknowledging how much you value them. Once the both of you have made your choices, write these names on a list. You can use our The Wedding List Party List downloadable from our eBook Store.

As these roles call for a level of commitment and responsibility, ask them at least six months before the date of the wedding. This will give them time to take annual leave from their place of work. They will also have time to make travel arrangements if they are working up country. Six months will also give them time to save for their outfits, shoes, stockings and other accessories.

We wish you the best of luck and many happy days ahead as you plan your new life.

Sincerely

Dorothy Humphrey's Weddings