What are some alternative bridal party ideas?

How closely you want your wedding to adhere to traditional formal roles is entirely up to you. There are no set rules that say how many attendants you should have or that you need an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen/ushers. You can have a male “man of honor� -- just be sure to refer to him as an “honor attendant� or your “man of honor�.

If you are planning a small, intimate gathering, you certainly don’t want attendants outnumbering guests. The only thing attendants must do is serve as witnesses and sign your marriage certificate. If you’re planning a large, extravagant celebration, you may want your wedding party to be equally large. How you shape your bridal party really is entirely up to you.

If you would like to go beyond the realm of traditional bridal parties, consider including your beloved pet in your bridal party as your ring bearer. Just make sure he is trained to sit still during the ceremony and won’t accidentally swallow the ring!

Peggy Post, our etiquette expert and internationally known spokesperson for The Emily Post Institute, answers your questions and provides helpful etiquette advice on everything from attire and invitations to toasting and receptions.