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Along with our hair, our bridal parties tend to be a bit bigger here in the South. I can’t put my finger on exactly why (maybe the abundance of sororities?), but it’s definitely a fact of life.
But what to do when the bridal party grows and grows? Thanks to fellow Southern girl Jenna Bush Hager, the world was introduced to an old Southern solution when she opted for a “house party” of fourteen in addition to her one maid of honor — her sister, Barbara. As in Jenna’s situation, a house party is a great way to include your friends and family without having a ginormous bridal party.
Sketch of Jenna’s house party dresses, designed by Lela Rose in seven styles and colors inspired by Texas native wildflowers! (via Cliff Notes)
Similar to the standard ‘attendant’ title, members of a house party are often assigned wedding day tasks like manning the guest book, handing out programs, serving cake, reading during the ceremony, or just assisting the bride on her big day. They can also be involved in helping with the bachelorette party and bridal shower, or just attending.
Katy Hall Photography
Some house party members aren’t assigned any duties at all, but simply included because the bride wants to honor her relationships. The only thing a house party traditionally does not do is stand at the altar with the bride — that spot is reserved for bridesmaids. HP gals can be seated in the first or second row, just behind family, and can be included in the wedding program.
So who should be included in a house party? Maybe you have a large group of sorority sisters you want to include, like we mentioned above. Or maybe, like Jenna and our own Emily, you’ve chosen to include only family in your bridal party, but want to honor friends, as well. No matter who you choose or how you choose them, you’ll eventually have to figure out how to clothe them. We have some tips for that, too.
You could ask your house party gals to wear the same dress in the same color — one that corresponds with the bridesmaid dresses.
Our Labor of Love from Caroline + Tyler’s wedding
Or, we like the idea of asking your house party to wear a different shade of the color your bridesmaids are wearing, as Izzy did so beautifully with gray here.
The Schultzes from Izzy + Lane’s wedding
Mix and match dresses in a single color always look beautiful! Many brides ask their house parties to wear little black dresses, as that’s typically an item everyone will already have in their closets.
Green dresses photo by Tim Will from Kara + Tyler’s wedding, aqua dresses photo by Shea Christine from Grace + Daniel’s wedding, pink dresses photo by Morgan Trinker from Erin + Brian’s wedding
Finally, we like the idea of giving your house party the whole color scheme of your wedding, and asking them to wear something that coordinates. These ladies below prove it can look darling! If your gals are wearing LBDs or something else less-unified, we’d recommend giving them something to acknowledge their role, like a corsage, a matching necklace, or a gardenia or magnolia for their hair.
Pink and purple dresses photo by Melissa Schollaert from Valerie + Kevin’s wedding, spring dresses photo by Ali Harper from Mary + Austin’s wedding, purple and cream dresses photo by Stephen DeVries from Meredith + John’s wedding
To close, one more personal anecdote from our sweet summer intern, Sara. She had the honor of being in the house party for her boyfriend’s sister’s wedding, and piped right up when we started talking about this post! From Sara: “I had small duties like handing out programs, moving the guestbook from location to location, and handing out the bubbles to guests before her and her groom left the reception. Her bridesmaids all wore the same pink dress and shoes, and the other house party members and I got to choose our dress, as long as it was black and cocktail length. I felt like it was the perfect place for me, as I had been dating her brother long enough to be included in the wedding, but her brother and I were not married (and still have a ways to go before there’s a possibility of that!), so it would have been strange for her to designate a bridesmaid position for me at the time.”
Have you been in a house party, or are you planning on having one? We’d love to hear what you think about this tradition!
Melissa Schollaert and Ali Harper are delightful members of our Blue Ribbon Vendor Directory!
Aww LOVE that photo idea – chalk boards with how bride and bridesmaid met.
[…] all time!) discussing the Southern Tradition of a “House Party.” (visit the article by clicking here.) Simply put, it’s a group of girls separate from your Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids that still […]
[…] planning on having one? We’d love to hear what you think about this tradition! Thanks to Southern Weddings Blog for this fabulous post! Posted in WEDDING TRENDS | Tags: | […]
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What a fabulous idea!
We don’t do anything like this in Scotland – it’s Bridesmaid or nothing.
I shall certainly be suggesting it to any future bride we work with :)
[…] the Masters themed brunch, Joy and her house party spent the morning primping and prepping at Joy’s […]
I’m having a house party. But I’m looking for creative ways to ask the girls. Any idea?
@Caroline – did you ever find a fun way to ask them? I’m wondering the same thing.
[…] We love that Kelsey included the house party tradition in her wedding! Not familiar with house parties? Learn about this oh-so-Southern tradition here. […]
[…] love seeing that Mariana included friends in their house party. We love how they wore coordinating dresses in complimentary […]
[…] the four girls around the bride are the bridesmaids, and all else are her house party. / Image via SouthernWeddings.com / Photo by The […]
My daughter in Houston has been asked to be in a “house party”. She has been asked to bake cupcakes to bring to the wedding (bride evidently can’t afford a cake), to set up tables/chairs, replace food on the trays during the reception, and to take down tables/chairs. She feels like a laborer!!!! My advice to anyone who is asked to be in a house party – find out your duties BEFORE accepting.
I love the idea of a house party, and want to incorporate it in my upcoming wedding. Is there a special or classic SW way to ask your house party? I’ve seen bridesmaids asked via gift boxes or hankies, and I’d like to honor my ladies in a similar way!
[…] this issue later on to be honest. She and I have chilled out, and I’ve asked her to be in my House Party so that I can still show her that she’s important to me. But to be extremely honest about […]
[…] It’s a great way to include more of your loved ones & dear friends in your big day. Read this article on Southern Weddings for more info! I love old, southern traditions & I wanted to include so many more girls than […]
[…] her house party (if you’re not familiar with this southern tradition, read this explanation here). Amanda asked all of the house party to wear blush pink dresses, which is also the bridesmaid […]
[…] the four girls around the bride are the bridesmaids, and all else are her house party. / Image via SouthernWeddings.com / Photo by The […]
Hello! I am from northern Missouri, so I had never heard of this house party tradition until recently. I am getting married this summer and have six bridesmaids. There are so many other girls I wanted to ask to stand up with me, so I heard about this tradition and thought it was the perfect idea. BUT, now I need help asking my girls to join my house party. I want a cute idea that explains the tradition, since it’s not common up here. Any ideas?!?
Hi Emily!!
Hooray! We would suggest printing out our explanation of what a house party is on a card and pairing it with a small gift!
Hi there! I found some really cute cards on Etsy and wrote them all a personal note. The cards had printed “Will you be in my house party? ” on them. I also had personalized makeup mirrors (found on etsy) made with thier name. Wasn’t terribly expensive and they loved it!