But who should you ask to join you on your big day? Here are some things to consider before you choose your bridesmaids.

Numbers Most wedding planners recommend a bridesmaid for every 50 guests in attendance. If you have a small wedding, it might look odd to have four or five bridesmaids next to you. On the other hand, for a big wedding, it might look less formal to only have one maid of honor. Either way, it’s always nice to have a matching number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, so take your fiancé’s expectations into consideration as well.

Etiquette Once you have a number in mind, be sure you don’t ruffle any feathers. If you have sisters, they should always be included, even if you don’t get along that well. It’s perfectly okay to have your best friend as your maid of honor, but it’s rude to leave family members out of the bridal party.

Reliability You probably have lots of dear friends that you would love to share your big day with, but keep in mind that you will rely on them for many things—least of all looking polished for pictures and the ceremony, and most of all—moral support. If you have friends that are chronically late, will insist on casual footwear or tend to get excessively tipsy, think twice about including them in your day. (You will regret it.)

The Proposal You have chosen your special friends who will stand next to you on your big day, but it’s still appropriate to ask them to honor you in this way. After all, it is a big commitment of time and money for them, so a more formal request goes a long way. Consider inviting them all to a special night out, or giving them a personal gift like this one.

Something Turquoise.com – They’ll be sure to say yes! http://somethingturquoise.com/2011/10/14/diy-will-you-be-my-bridesmaid/