Picking The Right Bridal Party

Photography by NICO Photo

One of the most important things to do when you start planning your wedding is picking your Bridal Party if you want one. Some times people get carried away wanting to pick everyone they know. You don’t have to have a big bridal party. Just make sure you hand pick the people that will share your joy on your wedding day. Ideally the bridal party should be people that will always be a part of your life. People often feel obligated to pick siblings, or people that have asked you to be in their wedding, or current significant others of friends or family, only do that if you are close to those people. You don't want people that are not true and sincere friends.

The way I picked was easy to me. Not saying that I was right, or that my bridal party will always be part of my life. But we do love them and hope they will be. I did not want to have any regrets of not having someone that I cared about in my wedding.

Photos by Rosalinda Chapa & Carla Chamut
My Beautiful Bridesmaids

Maids of Honor 
Top: Rosario Acosta
Bottom: Juliana Acosta

I always knew that my Maids of Honor were going to be my two younger sisters,we have always been close.


My baby sister served as the first maid of honor, since she was my right hand at planning my wedding, and pretty much the only help I got through the process. I think she found her true calling, PARTY PLANNER... She planned the bridal shower, and the bachelorette party. She was a true MOH. Thanks Gorda! <<a cute nickname



Photos Courtesy of Carla Chamut, Rosalinda Chapa, & Juliana Acosta
Day of our Wedding my Two Maids of Honor

The three other ladies have been a big part of my life in one way or another. They also walked in the order that I have known them.The bridesmaids:

One was my childhood friend. While growing up our mothers were best friends. We have known each other since we were 4, which is a very long time!

Keren holding my sister as a baby, All grown up, and on our Wedding Day

Another was my high school best friend, reunited years later and we still have a great connection. She also served as my personal trainer for the wedding.



With Adriana Sanchez our High School Days & then all grown up

Last but not least my soul sister. We have known each other a few years, but since the beginning we have been inseparable. She now lives in California pursuing her music career, but we are still very close.

With Victoria Negrete one a double date, On our Birthday, and on beach vacation

My Flower Girl (the flowers to Mary) was a part of my family. I picked an older girl because she would have to bring the flowers to us to take to Mary.

My Miniature Bride (or Flower girl) was a family member of my husbands. The cutest girl in the world! All the cameras loved her, there are so many pictures of her.



My husband on the other hand, chose differently but carefully and had fewer groomsmen than I had bridesmaids, which is perfectly fine. The best man escorted my two maids of honor.

Picture Courtesy of Juliana Acosta
My Maids of Honor with The Best Man

My brother from a different mother and father who happens to be my friend of MANY years served as The Best Man. He and my husband became close friends in the years we have dated. I always knew that the man I would marry was going to accept him as part the “Leslie Package” and maybe even be the Best Man in my wedding. It all worked out perfectly.

Jacob Garza on 18th Birthday, with my husband, and on our Wedding Day

Another one of my close friends turned into my husbands close friend too. He was a big help in the beginning of our relationship. My husband has and always will be grateful for that.

Marcos Campos & Maid of Honor at Rehearsal Dinner,
With my husband at Marcos book signing party, and at our Wedding

The other two groomsmen were chosen because as my husband put it, they are his close friends and represent what a real man is. He had his own method of picking, but I thought that was a good way to pick.

Picture courtesy of Carla Chamut (Groomsmen with Groom Clockwise)Justin League, Jacob Garza, Marcos Campos, Christopher Chesney, & Ring Bearer

The Ring Bearer, my nephew, the son of my Maid of Honor. Our church didn’t allow for him to carry rings, or the flower girls to throw flowers so, the ring bearer escorted the two flower girls. It was so adorable.

My Ring Bearer

The Arras (the coins) and Rosary Couple were my husband’s parents. The Lasso Couple were my best friend’s parents, which is a marriage that I have always admired.

Top: My Husbands Parents The Arras & Rosaries
Bottom: My Best Friends Parents The Lasso

We had 2 couples for The Gift Bearers. One couple, my close friends of years. The other couple, my husband’s Aunt and Uncle.

Top: My dear friend of years
Bottom: My husbands Uncle & Aunt

We had two Ushers, one is a great friend of mine, and he did a wonderful job greeting everyone. The other usher was my sister's boyfriend.

The Wedding Officiant: The Priest who married us, Father Phil Lloyd is also the priest that performed the last mass for my mother’s funeral. It meant a lot to me that he would marry me. It made it feel like my mother was part of it.

All of our Bridal Party got along so well. They were all able to play and joke and be silly. They were the ones to start the dance off, and kept the reception fun. They took people out to dance, and interacted with people that they didn’t even know. They were truly happy for us. Those are all signs that we picked the right people. Once we get back from our honeymoon we will be getting them all together for a Wedding Video Party.