HOMEBridesmaids and Groomsmen Getting to Know Each Other
The BEST piece of advice I ever read was a little short three sentence blurb about one bride who had her bridesmaids get together a couple of months BEFORE the wedding. I have 7 bridesmaids in my wedding, they are friends I met in grade school, some in high school, others in college, and one is going to be my new sister-in-law.
Although I could not afford to have them all flown in, I planned it early enough that those from out of town were able to get cheap airline tickets, and I planned it over a 3 day weekend, so no one would have to take extra vacation days. We spent the weekend picking out bridesmaids dresses (so they could all have a say in the dress that they were going to have to dish out so much money for) watching movies, playing pool, dancing, partying, and just giving them all an opportunity to get to know each other.
We even had my fiancé invite his groomsmen on Saturday night, and the entire wedding party (16 of us altogether) headed out for a night on the town. Before that weekend, they were all a little nervous, each telling me "I'm not sure if I should go.. I won't know anyone!" They have now spent the last few months telling me they can't wait to come back out for the wedding, and most are turning it into a week vacation, instead of just a few days for the wedding.
It worked because now the entire bridal party is not going to be so worried about getting to know everyone else, or fearful of putting their two cents in, and instead just enjoying the weekend for what it should be.