Writes Save the Date reader Gena:
I have three sisters ages 14 to 19 who I'm extremely close with, and I'm struggling with how I should include them in my wedding. For how important they are to me, I would love to have them be involved, but they wouldn't be able to do much more than stand next to me at the wedding because of their ages. They wouldn't be able to contribute to any activities (bridal shower, wedding) or even attend the bachelorette party. However, naming them junior bridesmaids doesn't sound right to me. Should I exclude them entirely from the wedding or include them as bridesmaids that just walk down the aisle? Help!
Here are my thoughts:
Yeah, 14 is probably too old for the "junior bridesmaid" title. I mean, it's basically the equivalent of "senior flower girl," and once you hit high school, you're too old for a title like that. (And one of your sisters is college age!)
I'd go ahead and make them full-fledged bridesmaids, but let the rest of your bridesmaids know that their contributions—especially financial contributions—might be limited. That said, if I were the bride, I'd go out of my way to help them feel included.
Maybe they could help make shower favors. Or bake something. Or put together a little home movie about you and your fiance to share with guests. And obviously you don't want them tagging along if you're headed to a strip club, but you could always do a PG-rated bachelorette activity (like this one!) and include them in that. And if one of the three doesn't mind speaking, you could ask her to make a speech at the rehearsal dinner.
I think if you look for ways to include them, they'll feel like full-fledged bridesmaids, even if they aren't in the back of the party bus with you. Their duties don't need to be limited to walking down the aisle!
Ladies, what do you think? Should Gena make her sisters bridesmaids? Junior bridesmaids? Or nothing at all?
Have a wedding-y dilemma of your own? Email me!