Weddingbee boards

I'm getting married in Australia and my family and friends are coming over from the UK.

I'm inviting about 8 of my close girlfriends, most of whom will be attending with plus 1's.

I feel really bad that I can't have them all as bridesmaids (Instead I choose my sister and FI's sister), I really don't want 8 bridesmaids as we're only having a small wedding and choosing dresses would be a logistical nightmare! Instead, as a way of honouring them I have decided to play a song that reminds me of each of them at the reception. Also, I'm thinking about having a pre-wedding photoshoot with them before the wedding.

So the night before the wedding the venue will put up me and ten guests, we'll have gourment pizza, champagne/ hot choc etc and watch wedding movies. Then the day of the wedding we'll have a champagne brunch and rooms to get ready in with hairdresser and make-up (Which I pay for seperately). I think it would be really fun to have the girls there too. So, I plan on having my mum, FI's mum, my sis and FI's sis. But have 5 places (This is the package and they are unwilling to reduce the cost if I only have 5 guests). Also the venue only have accomodation for 10 guests and it is a 40min journey from where they will be staying.

How do I pick between the girls? Some will be attending with partners and may prefer to be with partners the day before and travel to the wedding with them anyway? Shall I just talk to them and find out of each what they would prefer? Draw names out of a hat?

One of my friends mum's is also attending on her own, she's BFF's with my mum and they are travelling over together. She's been like a second mum to me, should I invite her too? I think it would mean alot to her... and then invite my friend (her daughter who is single and not bringing a plus one - this friend also made a huge effort to come and visit last year and we had a fantastic time together, she's been having a bit of a rough time lately too).

I mentioned to one of the girls that I was planning on drawing the last 5 names out of a hat because I love them all and can't choose between them and she said;

"Look, please dont take this the wrong way, its your wedding and totally up to you but I'd be careful with the raffle idea. I know you are trying to be fair and kind but I think that could hurt peoples feelings. People will be paying a lot to come over and of course you can't have everyone involved in your wedding, you are iviting people as guests, but the raffle thing could be offensive. I personally think it would be better for you to decide on stuff like that - who you would prefer there and let people know plans like that before they decide to go over. Its up to you though - I shall mind my own business now! "

Thanks Bees, one of the girls has found a hotel close by so solves all our problems, the BF's/Partners will all go out for beers together whilst we're having a girly night. Yey!