How do I say no to being in my friend's wedding party?

Your friend is getting married!

They've asked you to be in the wedding party!

Never fear! You can politely decline being in the wedding party without losing your friendship.

There are many reasons why you might not want to be in your friend’s wedding party. Maybe you:

• Have a busy work schedule

• Need to save money

• Don’t want the responsibility

Being in a wedding party is a big commitment and your friend would probably rather have someone who is able to participate fully. Tell them the truth, kindly and gently.

Say "no" clearly and explicitly. If your answer is vague or hesitant, they might not get the message.

You can soften the decline by using words like "unfortunately" or "I'm sorry" and thanking them for thinking of you.

If you need time to think, give your friend a specific date when you'll have your answer. Don't make them wait too long!

Learn more about hard conversations here.

Declining to be in the wedding party doesn't mean you can't support your friend on their wedding day!

You can always offer to take on a role with less pressure, like:

• Handing out programs

• Reading a poem or other verse during the ceremony

• Picking up friends or family at the airport

Or, you can tell your friend how excited you are to celebrate as a guest!

You can easily say no to being in a wedding party without sacrificing your friendship if you follow these steps: