7 Ways To Include A Friend In Your Wedding (Without Making Her A Bridesmaid)

Need some ways to include a friend in your wedding, without making her a bridesmaid? This post has what you’re looking for.

Weddings are time to celebrate. They celebrate love, commitment, and friendship. And while bridesmaids are a traditional way to include your closest friends in your wedding day, they are not the only way. It might be that you don’t want a lot of bridesmaids. Or, you don’t want any. Perhaps your friend in question isn’t into or able to be a bridesmaid. There are reasons for not making a friend a bridesmaid, but that does not mean they can’t be included.

It’s okay to buck tradition and include a friend in your wedding without giving them an official title. As long as you are both okay with the reasons why, that’s all that matters. Most friends will be honored to help with your wedding, no matter what.

7 Ways To Include A Friend In Your Wedding (Without Making Her A Bridesmaid)

This post is going to give you seven ways to include a friend in your wedding, without making her a bridesmaid. Before you go delegating tasks, though, have a conversation with your friend. Let her know what you’d like from her for your wedding, and that though she will not have a bridesmaid title, she’s still important to you. In all likelihood she will be willing and able to set up where you need her.

Let’s get into it!

1. INCLUDE YOUR FRIEND IN YOUR WEDDING BY ASKING FOR HER HELP WITH PRE-WEDDING ACTIVITIES OR PROJECTS

There is a lot that can happen before the wedding. If you’d like to include a friend in your wedding, ask her to take the lead on something.

For example, there is likely help needed for a wedding shower, or a bachelorette party. I didn’t have bridesmaids at my wedding (I chose to have two maids-of-honor instead), but asked a dear friend to plan my bachelorette. In a sense, she was an honorary bridesmaid for doing so. Additionally, you could ask your friend for DIY help, especially if she’s crafty. This will allow her to contribute while staying behind the scenes.

2. INVITE HER TO GET READY WITH YOU ON YOUR WEDDING DAY

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. It’s so fun getting ready with a bride on her wedding day.

Or, at the very least, it’s an experience.

There are no rules over who you should get ready with on your wedding day. Yes, traditionally, brides will get ready with their bridesmaids and close family, but you can invite whomever you want. If you have the space, you have the space. You can even ask your friend to get ready on her own and join you early on so she can hang out and enjoy all the chaos and fun. It’s an honor, and she’ll probably love to be there.

3. ASK HER TO GIVE A READING OR SPEECH

One of the most heartfelt ways to include a friend in your wedding is to ask her to give a reading or deliver a speech during your ceremony or reception.

If this is a friend who you’ve known for a long time, and they are okay with public speaking, this will likely work for them, too. A personal reading or speech can be a touching way to express one’s well wishes and love. You can choose the reading together, and decide on when it will be delivered. This can be a beautiful, personal way to make her feel involved and appreciated without the responsibility of standing at the altar as a bridesmaid.

4. INCLUDE A FRIEND IN YOUR WEDDING BY ASKING HER TO BE A PERSONAL ATTENDANT

A personal attendant is someone who sticks by the bride on the wedding day.

This role can involve assisting the bride with things like keeping track of personal items, offering emotional support throughout wedding planning and the wedding day, or running errands. It should be a relaxed role, but still important because you never know what can come up on a wedding day. Sometimes having someone capable available is all a bride needs to feel supported and in control.

5. ASK HER TO BE A WEDDING DAY PHOTOGRAPHER OR VIDEOGRAPHER

If your friend is skilled at taking photos or videos, why not ask her to capture key moments of your wedding day?

Now, unless she’s an actual professional, I wouldn’t ask her to be your only photographer or videographer. Rather, she can capture some of the b-roll footage that you can share later or look back on for fun. For example, I had a friend at my wedding who was hanging out with us as we got ready. She took videos of me practicing my dance with my mom, of my family helping me get dressed, and all sorts of other amazing photos. To this day, I’m so thankful she did that.

6. INCLUDE A FRIEND IN A WEDDING VIDEO

Are you creating a wedding video? You know, one that mostly features you and your fiancé, but also maybe includes your friends? Perhaps there are messages from them, or just videos of you all having fun?

You can include your friend in your wedding by featuring them in your wedding video. Many couples incorporate loved ones into their wedding films. It’s an intimate and creative approach without giving a friend a formal role.

7. MENTION HER IN YOUR THANK YOU SPEECH

Chances are, you will say a few words at your wedding. Words of love, gratitude, and thanks.

When you do, mention your friend if they contributed to your wedding in some way. Call them out specifically, such as “I’d like to thank Jess for creating all the centerpieces”. By thanking your friend publicly you acknowledge what they gave to your wedding, and also make them a part of your wedding.

THOUGHTS ON HOW TO INCLUDE A FRIEND IN YOUR WEDDING 

Friends, there are many ways to honor and include a friend in your wedding without making her a bridesmaid. The ideas in this post are just a few of them. If she’s open to it, ask her to plan an event, help with a project, or even be there on your wedding day to take photos and videos for you. Acknowledge her help and support publicly, and include her where you can. Ultimately, this is your wedding, your way, and it’s okay to include your friend in a way that resonates with both of you. Happy wedding planning!

More On Including People In Your Wedding From Hummingbird Wedding Advice 

Heartfelt Ways To Include Your Brother In Your Wedding

14 Ways To Include Your Grandparents In Your Wedding

Ideas To Help You Include Your Mom In Your Wedding

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