Even for a Pensacola wedding planner, managing an out of town bridal party can be hard. Planning your wedding is already stressful, but even more so when your bridal party is across the country, or even the world. I found this out first hand after moving to Pensacola, Florida and getting engaged. My bridal party primarily consists of people from out of town. Choosing my sister (who lives in Arizona) to be my maid of honor has been great, but sometimes I wish I could have her by my side when I get overwhelmed. After all, isn’t that what a maid of honor is for? Luckily, I have a matron of honor as well, my fiancé’s sister, who lives locally and helps in any way she can. But, some couples aren’t so lucky. It may seem impossible to manage a long distance bridal party, but here are a few tips to make the process a little easier.
How To Choose The Attire
When it comes to the bridesmaid’s dresses, the easiest and most cost effective option is usually chain stores, such as David’s Bridal. If you find dresses in a local shop that you absolutely love, have your bridesmaids try on similar silhouettes and make sure you order the dresses early to ensure that the dresses fit comfortably yet flatter. When it comes to groomsmen, chain stores such as Men’s Warehouse may be your best bet. An alternative would be to have the groomsmen go to a tailor and get measured, that way you can call the measurements into a local shop if you find the perfect tuxedos or suits locally.
Getting Help Along The Way
When it comes to tasks to delegate to your maid of honor and bridesmaids, choose tasks that can be done over the phone or online. For example, provide them with your guest list and have them get mailing addresses for save the dates and invitations via Facebook or email. Get creative when you need help, and don’t let distance overwhelm you!
Make It One Eventful Week-Of
The one time that it is important for the bridal party to be present is the week of the wedding. This is when the bachelor and bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, etc. can take place if you are managing a long distance bridal party. You want to make sure that your bridal party can commit to being available for this time. Make sure that you are informed of any schedule conflicts to ensure that you aren’t missing anyone on the big day.
An out of town bridal party can be stressful, but it is definitely not impossible. All it takes is a bit of creativity, communication and some patience, and you’ll be good to go!
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