The Chosen People

When you’re selecting your bridal party, clarity, self-knowledge and brutal honesty are what will help you identify the right women (or men) for the job. Imagine you’re picking people to help you launch a new business. Whom in your life would you want to work with? Our list would include people whom we can count on, people who value our time as much as their own, people who can bring specific skills and abilities (as well as talent, love, support and flexibility) to the table and people who are pinch hitters and good in a crisis.

Your best guys and girls should meet the following criteria:

• Be near and dear to you. They’ve seen you at your worst and know how you handle stress but they love you anyway.
• Know you might forget to say thanks (egads!). Despite your best intentions, you might overlook some of your friends’ hard work. The best bridal attendants will overlook your bridezilla moments and take the higher ground in a conflict. Think of this as social insurance.
• Be large and in charge. Your crew members know you’re the director of the show (and that their negative opinions should not be spoken), but they know when to offer an ingenious idea you can use.
• Be expert project managers. Obnoxious mother-in-law-to-be? Your best girls or guys should know when and how to run interference. Lots of plates in the air? Your team’s organisation skills are key and the best and brightest will know to jump in and help when you’re having a day.