Lots of personalities.
From the perspective of the photographer and the videographer larger wedding parties mean more fun, more candid photos and video clips. You will always find a party member with a larger than life personality, someone who will inject some fun into the day's activities.
Feel the love
It’s an awesome feeling to be standing at the altar facing your love, surrounded by your besties. A pretty powerful feeling is knowing that so many of your friends care about you and support you enough to be a part of this very special day.
All that being said, a lot of people will tell you that a big bridal party is not a good idea. As a photographer with 35 years of experience, i beg to differ. My most memorable weddings have been with large bridal parties. they are just so much fun.
This video clip will attest to that. The video clip is a lip dub. A lip dub is a video clip that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. We film a variety of shots with individuals and groups of people while synching a preselected song. We edit the whole thing to create a unique and fun addition to the wedding video. If you saw the clip Imagine this same clip with a small bridal party. Just wouldn't be the same.
Handling a large wedding party
My recommendation to the bride is to designate an emissary. Someone close to you, someone you can trust will dedicate their full attention to the task. From the photographer point of view; he/she will make sure everyone is on time, doesn't wander when the times come to take pictures or video.
More Groomsmen and Bridesmaids means extra help
If there's a lot of set-ups and running around to be done before the wedding day, all those extra hands can certainly help out. Having the extra help could be an asset to prepare for the rehearsal, ceremony, reception, and planning. Unless of course, you are a control freak.
Who cares what people will say
Some may criticise you for having a large bridal party. WHO CARES what others think, it's your wedding and you should do what feels right for you. There will always be someone that will judge you.
Who should you pick? Surround yourself with the people that you would take with you on a deserted island for an extended period of time. A wedding day is full of emotions, positive ones, and negative ones. it's an emotional roller coaster. Choose people who are not divas and will make you laugh, also looks better on candid shots. Choose people who will calm you as opposed to making you nervous. People who will pick you up when you are down. You get the message.
One little word of advice; when choosing a bridesmaid that has a little child be prepared to accept the fact that she will at one point or another have to tend the child's needs. especially if it's a newborn. As a photographer, i've seen it over and over, I'm ready to take a group shot of the bridal party and one of the bridesmaids is in the limo breastfeeding he newborn. Absolutely understandable, but that being said she is not available for many key shots. It's a difficult situation especially when you are on a tight schedule.
Now everyone has their own opinions, but this is my view on the subject.