Bridesmaids Walking Together: Is It Allowed?

There are many ways to organise a wedding party's entrance, and the decision of whether to have two bridesmaids walk together is entirely up to the couple. While some couples prefer to have each bridesmaid walk down the aisle alone, others opt for pairing them with groomsmen or having them walk in pairs. Ultimately, the couple should choose whatever option they feel most comfortable with and that aligns with their vision for the wedding.

Bridesmaids and groomsmen walking together or not?

There are many different ways to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen during the processional, and it is ultimately a matter of personal preference. The bride and groom do not have to have an equal number of attendants, and it is not essential to pair them up one-to-one. For example, one groomsman can escort two bridesmaids.

One popular way to pair up the wedding party is by real-life coupling or friendship. If a bridesmaid and groomsman are dating, engaged, or married, it is customary to match them up. Similarly, attendants who are friends can walk together. Another option is to pair them by personality. For instance, an extroverted bridesmaid could be matched with an outgoing groomsman.

You can also pair the wedding party by height. The shortest couple walks down the aisle first, and the tallest couple goes last. This creates aesthetically pleasing, balanced photos. Alternatively, you can pair them by length of friendship or role. The bridesmaid and groomsman the couple has known the longest can be matched together, with the oldest relationships closest to the bride and groom in the processional. The maid of honour can be paired with the best man, and any bridesmaids or groomsmen performing readings can also be paired together.

Some people prefer to have the groomsmen walk in with the groom and stand at the front, with the bridesmaids walking in alone, and then the wedding party can walk out together.

Pairing by height

When it comes to your wedding, you make the rules. If you want to have your bridesmaids walk down the aisle with groomsmen, that's entirely up to you.

Pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen by height is a common practice. The tallest bridesmaid is paired with the tallest groomsman, and the shortest couple walks down the aisle first, with the tallest twosome going last. This creates aesthetically pleasing photos that look balanced. It also avoids any potential awkwardness a bridesmaid may feel if she is significantly taller than her paired groomsman.

However, some couples prefer to have their wedding party walk down the aisle individually, which gives the photographer the opportunity to capture solo shots of each person.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen, and how to pair them, is a personal preference. You can choose to pair them by height, personality, or real-life friendship. You can even have them walk down the aisle in pairs and then pose for individual photos once they reach the altar.

Pairing by personality

When pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen, it's important to consider their personalities. This can be a great way to ensure everyone has a good time during the wedding ceremony and reception, especially if some of them don't know each other.

For example, matching an extroverted bridesmaid with an outgoing groomsman can make them glad to be in each other's company during the wedding. If one groomsman is super goofy, pair him with a bridesmaid who will tolerate and perhaps even appreciate his humour.

You can also consider pairing people by their level of shyness. For instance, if someone is very shy, pair them with someone who will make them feel more comfortable.

However, it's worth noting that some people may not care who they walk with, and it's only for a short period, so it's not a huge concern.

Pairing by length of friendship

When it comes to pairing bridesmaids with groomsmen, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is not necessary to have an equal number of attendants on both sides, so don't feel pressured to ask someone to be a bridesmaid or groomsman just to even out the numbers. If you have an uneven number, one groomsman can escort two bridesmaids.

If you do have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, you can pair them by length of friendship. Match the bridesmaid you've known the longest with the groomsman your partner has known the longest. This way, the older the relationship, the closest they will be to you in the processional. You can also pair the maid of honor with the best man, and any bridesmaids or groomsmen who will be performing readings together.

Another option is to pair them by height, with the shortest couple walking down the aisle first and the tallest couple going last. This creates aesthetically pleasing and balanced photos. Alternatively, you can pair them by personality, matching like-minded people together, such as an extroverted bridesmaid with an outgoing groomsman.

Ultimately, the decision on whether to have bridesmaids and groomsmen walk together or separately is a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer to have them walk together, while others opt for separate entrances. You can also mix and match, with the groomsmen entering from the side and joining the bridesmaids during the recessional.

Pairing by real-life coupling or friendship

There are many ways to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen for the processional and recessional, reception entrance, and wedding photos. While there are no hard and fast rules, and it ultimately comes down to the couple's preference, one popular way to pair them is by real-life coupling or friendship.

If a bridesmaid and groomsman are dating, engaged, or married, it is customary to match them up. They are already a couple, so there is no need to separate them for the wedding. The same goes for attendants who are friends—let them walk together.

In the past, it was assumed that the groomsmen would escort the bridesmaids, and that there would be an even number on both sides to make this simple. However, in modern times, weddings are often more informal, and expectations are less clear. While some couples still prefer to take the traditional route, it is not uncommon for couples to have an uneven number of attendants or to pair bridesmaids and groomsmen in same-sex pairs.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pair bridesmaids and groomsmen by real-life coupling or friendship is up to the couple. They may want to consider the comfort level of the individuals involved and what will create the best energy and flow for the wedding.

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