How to Get Your Bridal Party Acquainted Before the Big Day

Worlds collide at a wedding: It’s probably the only time you’ll see your grandma on the dance floor with your college bestie or your childhood neighbor at the bar with your partner’s sister, and there’s no better proof that we are the sum of our parts and our past than in the bridal party.

Think about it: Your bridal party can be composed of whoever you want without limitations. The party you’ve asked to stand by your side at your wedding span your entire lifetime, from your sister to your high school BFF to your first roommate after you graduated from college. You could even have bridesmen or bridespeople you love dearly. They all know you, but do they all know one another? While they’ll definitely have time to bond at your bachelorette party, it’s a good idea to make sure they are acquainted with one another before the fun really begins.

Here are 5 tips for making the introduction, plus creative ways to get them together for a little fun.

1. Embrace the Group Mentality

As the bride, it’s up to you to make sure your wedding party members know one another (and know who’s who). Don’t leave it to your wedding website! Instead, send a group email with everyone’s name, role, email address, and phone number so they can get a hold of one another.

2. Set Up a Group Text, Email, or Facebook Page

If your BFFs are spread out all across the country and it's too much to coordinate a trip—a pre-wedding get together may not be possible. In this case, Chancey Charm Charlotte wedding planner, Miranda Tassi, strongly advises starting a wedding Facebook group—a group text or email will work too—and inviting everyone. "It can be an outlet for advice, catching up, getting to know each other and keeping up on wedding details. They will most likely friend and follow each other on social media outlets, and if they see a post they can relate to, it can be an easy conversation starter."

3. Make the Introduction

Yes, there are conversations you’ll want to be included in, like choosing the wedding party attire or organizing hair and makeup schedules, but it’s important to remember that your bridal party will probably have a lot of emailing and texting to do without you. Don’t micromanage, and instead trust that they’ll do what needs to be done—and prepare yourself for a few surprises from the people you love!

4. Create a Guesterly Book

It's like a yearbook, except for your wedding guests or in this case, just your bridal party! Ask each of your party members to answer a short questionnaire on Guesterly.com. Put their photo and information together in a cute booklet, suggests Emily Schwartz, owner of Galej Events in North Carolina. "Share this booklet with each of your bridal party members so they can learn a little more about each other before the big day."

5. Try to Set Up an In-Person Meeting

If some (or all) of your bridal party members are local, get everyone together in person ASAP. There’s no better way to form a bond! Invite them over, meet for brunch at your favorite local restaurant, or consider one of these get-together ideas:

Learn Something Together

Taking a class together is a great way to get your bridal party comfortable with one another. It’s built-in entertainment, and it gives you something to chat about and bond over. If you’re getting married on the beach, spend an afternoon taking surfing lessons. Want to get into the kitchen? A group cooking class will satisfy your hunger and get you ready to entertain again in the future.

Find Common Interests

If you and your folks love wine, a winery tour and tasting is a great way to spend a weekend afternoon. It gives your bridal party a chance to get familiar in a comfortable atmosphere, and you’ll pick up skills to show off at your menu tasting.

Do a Food Crawl

For a local group, organize a dinner tour at some of your favorite spots. Move on to different locations for each course: appetizers, mains, and dessert. Get your bridal party involved by asking them to recommend spots for each stop, sharing your favorite hidden gems, and discovering new favorite hangouts.

Become Master Mixologists

Serving a signature cocktail? Invite your bridal party over to help you figure out just what it will be. Pick your favorite liquors, mixers, and garnishes, then spend an evening playing with combinations until you hit the nail on the head. Then, take suggestions for the perfect name. Just don’t forget to write down the recipe!

Do a Unique Activity

Relationship advice expert and author April Masini recommends inviting your bridal party out to lunch and having a psychic do short readings. "This breaks the ice and bonds your bridal party, who may or may not know each other well. It also gives them a memory, besides the beautiful wedding to come, to reminisce about."