Starting the planning process for your big day comes with a wealth of emotions, but one of the most exciting parts is being able to craft a wedding party with all of your favorite people. This may mean that your friends and family are coming from all perspectives, backgrounds, and already-established groups, which can admittedly be a little intimidating for everyone involved.
To make sure your wedding and all of your activities go off without a hitch, our experts are sharing their favorite tips for blending your most important relationships into one amazing wedding party.
Photo: Manda Weaver Photography
"Find common ground: you are the common denominator, so it is your job to connect these groups through what they share. The wedding party will come from diverse backgrounds and may hold different values and viewpoints. Consider each person and how they can connect with others in the group by identifying shared interests. By focusing on what they have in common, rather than what separates them, you will help them make genuine connections with one another." —Mary Angelini, Key Moment Films
"Be upfront about expectations. Share what you actually need from your wedding party (time, money, involvement). Some people thrive with structure, others prefer to just show up and support. Assign roles thoughtfully and lean into people’s natural strengths. Planners can handle logistics, social butterflies can keep energy up, laid-back types can ground the group." —Alex Bovee, Vision in White Events
"To break the ice at the beginning, keep things light and inclusive. A group chat with a fun prompt (“What’s your most chaotic travel story?”) or a casual meet-up like a wine night or virtual trivia session can spark laughter and camaraderie. If your budget allows, consider a pre-wedding gathering that reflects your wedding vibe, like a beach bonfire, rooftop brunch, or a cozy cabin weekend. Shared playlists, inside jokes, and thoughtful gestures go a long way in turning strangers into teammates." —Amos Gott, AmosEvents
"Setting up a group text or WhatsApp group to help keep everyone connected is the first step, and then setting up a Doodle to help gather dates and availability up front can help schedule some of the bigger events and ensure that everyone is available!" —Meaghan Cody, Sweet Pea Events
"It's not uncommon for your wedding party members to be geographically separated by many states. It makes sense when you think about how you've picked up these people in different places and stages of your life. It's even more crucial that you're openly communicating with everyone so they can feel included and heard. FaceTime/Zoom remains one of the best ways to communicate for people because it's much easier to pick up on tones and intentions; text messages can be tricky since intentions are less clear and more open to interpretation. Some fun ways to collaborate online come back to applications like Google Docs or Pinterest to share ideas and conceptualize." —Jennifer Symula, Symula Media Group
"Be upfront about costs and time. Feed your crew, build in real breaks, and release people from duties once the formalities are done so they can enjoy the party." —Craig Peterman, Craig Peterman Photography & Videography
"Tell your maid of honor each person's super-power and have them work together (on things that they each enjoy) to build connection and an incredible trip that they all were a part of planning! Wedding party member #1 is in charge of the music playlist, #2 is in charge of researching the best restaurants, #3 is in charge of games, #4 is in charge of the itinerary/schedule & hotels, etc." —Lauren Tankersley, 828 Venue Management Company
"If someone can't make it to one of your events, try to Facetime them briefly so they feel included. Also, do things to make their life a little easier. Pack them a pillow for the beach house bach party so they don't have to carry it on the airplane. If you're local, consider helping them get a ride from the airport or train station, especially if an Uber ride would be too expensive. Choosing tux/suit and bridesmaid dress companies that are nationwide or online is definitely helpful so that everyone can easily go to the location of their choosing or shop online for their attire. Finally, have realistic expectations for your wedding party! Communication is key." —Sarona Farrell, Gloweddings
From budgets, differing locations, and personality styles, it can be challenging to bring so many loved ones together seamlessly. But with appropriate communication and expectations, your wedding party can be the backbone of your big day!
Meghan Ely is the founder of OFD Consulting, a public relations agency specializing in publicity, speaking engagements, and thought leadership for wedding and event professionals. She is a longtime wedding industry speaker, traveling globally.
