Groomsmen's Flowers: Matching Or Mismatched With Bridesmaids?

Coordinating the outfits of the bridesmaids and groomsmen is a pivotal part of wedding planning. While it is not necessary to match the two groups, it can help create a unified aesthetic and set the tone and personality of your wedding. It is also a great way to incorporate your wedding colours. However, matching the outfits of a large group of people can be challenging and time-consuming. It is also unrealistic to expect a perfect match, given the variety of shades and fabric types available. If you want to avoid the extra work but still want some coordination, you can choose to match on a single element, such as colour, texture, or accessories.

Matching flowers and accessories

Choose a Colour Scheme

The first step is to pick out your wedding colours and overall theme. These colours will be used throughout your wedding, from the decorations to the outfits, so it is important to spend time on this decision. You are not limited to only two or three colours. It is common to have primary wedding colours and secondary "accent" colours. We recommend choosing 3-5 colours for your wedding palette, which will ensure that you and your partner will love the combination.

Primary Colours

After identifying your wedding palette, it's time to choose 1-2 primary colours. These are the colours that will be seen predominantly throughout your ceremony space and will help determine the colours for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider what these primary colours would look like as a suit or a dress to ensure that you love them.

Accessories

One of the easiest ways to match the groomsmen to the bridesmaids is through their accessories. The groomsmen's ties, pocket squares, and even socks can be matched to the bridesmaids' dresses. Ties are a great way to add a pop of colour to groomsmen who are often in neutral-coloured suits.

Flowers

If your flowers are pulling through most of the colours in your wedding scheme, you can match the bridal party's accessories to those colours. For example, if you have blush and blue in your bouquet, the groomsmen's ties can match the blue, and the bridesmaids' dresses can match the blush.

Mix and Match

You don't have to match the bridal party exactly. Mixing and matching dresses is a super stylish and unique way to make your bridesmaids feel extra special. It is also a great way to incorporate your primary wedding colours. By using different shades from your primary colours, it becomes easier to coordinate bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's suits.

Choose a Common Element

If you want a more effortless look, choose one element that will remain the same between the two sides of the wedding party. This could be colour, a colour pattern, or a particular print. For example, the bridesmaids' dress colour could match the groomsmen's ties or vice versa.

Remember, it is your wedding, and you don't have to do anything you don't want to. These are just some ideas to help create a cohesive and coordinated bridal party that reflects your style as a couple.

Choosing a colour scheme

Pick your wedding palette

Start by selecting 3-5 colours for your wedding palette. These colours can be used throughout your wedding, from the invitations to the flowers, creating a cohesive look. You can choose primary and secondary colours, with the primary colours being the most prominent and the secondary colours used as accents.

Solidify your primary colours

Choose 1-2 primary colours that will be used for the bridesmaid dresses and groomsmen accessories. Consider what these colours would look like as a suit or dress to ensure you love them. You can also use colour swatches to see how the colours work together and with different fabric types.

Decide on bridesmaid dress colours

You can use your primary colours as a guide to determine the bridesmaid dress colours. You can stick to one shade or mix and match different shades of the same colour to create a dynamic look. If you want to add more variety, you can even mix and match different textures and styles while still keeping within your colour palette.

Coordinate the groomsmen suits

Groomsmen suits are usually made in neutral tones like black, navy blue, or grey, which are easy to coordinate with bridesmaid colours. You can also choose suits in other colours like cream, white, red, or beige for a unique look. Ties are a great way to add a pop of colour and match the groomsmen to the bridesmaids.

Choose a common element

If you don't want to match the bridal party outfits exactly, you can choose one element, such as colour, pattern, or print, to remain the same between the two sides. For example, the bridesmaid dress colour could match the design of the groomsmen's ties. This creates a consistent look without being too matchy-matchy.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to choose your wedding colours. You can start by looking at weddings with similar aesthetics or colours you already know you like. You can also search for trending wedding colours for inspiration. Ultimately, it's your wedding, and you can choose to match or coordinate the bridal party however you want!

Posing for photographs

While planning a wedding, it's important to consider how to coordinate your flowers with the wedding party's attire. The colours, textures, and styles of the flowers should complement the attire of the bridesmaids and groomsmen to ensure a cohesive look for the wedding photographs. Here are some tips for posing for photographs with well-coordinated flowers and attire:

• Matching vs. Coordinating: The bridesmaids' bouquets don't need to be identical to the bride's, but they should complement the bridal bouquet and the overall wedding colour scheme. They can be designed with matching colours or similar flowers, or you can opt for a completely different look for the bride to stand out.
• Size and Elaborateness: Bridesmaids' bouquets are typically smaller and less elaborate than the bridal bouquet. This helps ensure the bride's bouquet stands out as the most photographed floral arrangement.
• Dresses and Bouquets: Consider the style and colour of the bridesmaids' dresses when choosing their bouquets. If the dresses have a lot of layers or embellishments, opt for simpler bouquets to avoid clashing. Conversely, if the dresses are simple, you can add interest with more intricate bouquets.
• Groomsmen Boutonnieres: The groomsmen's boutonnieres should follow the same style and colour palette as the bridesmaids' bouquets but be slightly different or smaller than the groom's boutonniere. Choose flowers that complement the groomsmen's attire without being the same shade.
• Seasonal Flowers: Take into account the season when selecting your flowers. For example, hydrangeas are typically in bloom during the spring, so they may be more expensive for a winter wedding.
• Photography Tips: When posing for photographs, ensure the flowers are visible and coordinate with the attire. Play with different angles and positions to showcase the flowers effectively. Close-up shots of the bouquets or boutonnieres can add visual interest to your wedding album.
• Group Photos: For group photos, arrange the wedding party so that the colours and flowers create a cohesive look. Mix and match bridesmaids and groomsmen to create a balanced composition.
• Creative Angles: Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives when photographing the wedding party. Capture shots from above, below, or the side to showcase the flowers and attire from unique viewpoints.
• Details Matter: Remember to capture close-up details of the flowers, such as the wrapping around the stems, the texture of the petals, or the way the light shines through the blooms. These details will add depth and beauty to your wedding photographs.
• Natural Posing: Encourage the wedding party to pose naturally and interact with their flowers. This can include smelling the flowers, adjusting their boutonnieres, or gently tossing their bouquets for fun, candid shots.

Walking down the aisle

If you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, don't panic! You can still have a seamless and beautiful ceremony. One option is to have each groomsman walk with two bridesmaids, or vice versa, depending on which group is larger. If there is only a difference of one attendant, you can pair the dog lover in the bigger group with your pup.

For more uneven groups, the bridal party can enter separately, with the groomsmen entering from the side and the bridesmaids walking down the aisle. Alternatively, each member of the bridal party can walk down the aisle individually, which is perfectly fine as long as they walk at a quicker pace.

Standing at the Altar

At the altar, the wedding party should stand in order of importance, with the best man and maid/matron of honour closest to the couple. If the groups are very uneven, you can have only the best man and maid/matron of honour stand beside the couple, while the rest of the bridal party takes a seat in the front row. Another option is to have the wedding party form a semi-circle around the couple, blending them together in couples or groups of three on both sides.

Posing for Photographs

An uneven bridal party can also look beautiful in photographs. If you want to uphold the tradition of separating the bridesmaids and groomsmen, have them stand in a V-shape, spaced so that each group appears even. For something unique, choose candid pictures in motion, like the group walking towards the photographer, where everyone is mixed up and there is less focus on position. You can also separate the groups by having them pose in rows, with the larger party standing in the back and the smaller party sitting in the front, with the couple in the middle.

Final Thoughts

Remember, it's your wedding, and you don't have to follow any rules that you don't want to. Get creative and do what feels right for you and your partner. Your bridal party will be standing by your side all day, so make sure they feel their best and are coordinated in a way that reflects your style and vision.

The history of matching bridesmaids and groomsmen

The tradition of incorporating bridesmaids and groomsmen into a wedding ceremony dates back to ancient Rome. Bridesmaids and groomsmen were highly honoured guests who wore matching attire to protect the newlyweds from evil spirits. The ancient Romans believed that dressing the wedding party in identical outfits would confuse the malicious spirits and prevent them from targeting the bride and groom specifically. This practice has evolved over time, and today, it is not necessary for the groomsmen to match the bridesmaids exactly. However, some couples choose to coordinate their colours, accessories, or themes to create a unified aesthetic and reflect their style as a couple.

In ancient Rome, the bridesmaids and groomsmen served a protective role, guarding the bride and groom from evil spirits and thieves who might steal the bride's dowry. The groomsmen would accompany the bride to the celebration, ensuring her safety and protecting her wealth. Over time, the focus shifted from protection to honouring the friends and family who supported the couple throughout their relationship.

Today, the wedding party is typically comprised of siblings, close cousins, childhood friends, college roommates, and caring coworkers. They play a crucial role in planning bachelor and bachelorette parties, organising the wedding, and ensuring the couple has a memorable day. While the specific duties have changed, the presence of bridesmaids and groomsmen remains a cherished tradition, symbolising the love and support of the couple's closest companions.

Although there is no obligation to match the groomsmen to the bridesmaids, doing so can create a cohesive and stylish aesthetic for the wedding. Couples can choose to match colours, accessories, or themes to create a unified look that accentuates the personality of their wedding. From flowers to cakes to pets, there are endless possibilities for coordination. Ultimately, the decision rests with the couple, who can choose to embrace tradition or forge their own unique path on their special day.

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