Who Walks With Whom? Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, And Traditions

The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen dates back to ancient Rome, when these wedding guests wore matching attire to confuse evil spirits and protect the newlyweds from harm. Today, the focus is on coordinating the bridal party's outfits to achieve a cohesive and stylish look for the wedding. While it is not necessary to match the groomsmen to the bridesmaids, doing so can create a sense of unison and accentuate the personality and theme of the wedding. Couples can choose to match colours, patterns, or prints, or use complementary colours to tie their bridal party together.

Matching colours and styles

While it is not necessary to match the groomsmen to the bridesmaids, it can be a great way to run an aesthetic and theme throughout your big day. It gives a sense of unison to the wedding party. There are so many options and ways to do it.

The first step is to pick out your wedding colours and overall theme. Your wedding colours will be used throughout your big day, in the decorations, outfits, and so on, so it is important to spend time on this decision. It is common to have primary wedding colours and secondary 'accent' colours, which gives you endless possibilities to be creative. You and your partner should choose around 3-5 colours for your wedding palette.

Then, you can solidify 1-2 primary colours. These are the colours that will be seen predominantly throughout your ceremony space and will be the colours you choose for your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Consider what these colours would look like as a suit or a dress.

There are many ways to coordinate your bridesmaids and groomsmen. One common way is to use your primary colour for the bridesmaid dresses and the groomsmen's accessories, such as ties, pocket squares, and socks. You can also match the bridesmaids' accessories to the groomsmen's pocket squares, or vice versa. Ties are the easiest way to match groomsmen to bridesmaids, and they add a pop of colour to groomsmen in black, grey, or another neutral-coloured suit.

If you want to get creative, groomsmen suits come in many colours, which may take a little more effort to coordinate but are more unique. Cream, white, red, and beige are interesting options, and tan suits are perfect for a beach wedding. You could even do a pattern if your groomsmen want to be bold.

Ordering samples of your bridesmaids' and groomsmen's elements is a great way to look at the fabrics and colours together. This makes coordinating super easy and stress-free.

Remember, it is unrealistic to match your bridal party completely. With so many different shades of colours and fabric types, it is okay if things don't match perfectly.

Walking down the aisle together

• Real-life coupling or friendship: If a bridesmaid and groomsman are dating, engaged, married, or friends, it is customary to pair them together.
• Personality: Pair an extroverted bridesmaid with an outgoing groomsman, for example.
• Height: Pair the tallest bridesmaid with the tallest groomsman, with the shortest couple walking down the aisle first and the tallest couple going last.
• Length of friendship or role: Pair the bridesmaid the bride has known the longest with the groomsman the groom has known the longest.
• Maid of honour and best man: These two can be paired together and will also be the ones to give a toast to honour the newlyweds.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen have important roles in protecting the couple, especially the bride, and have done so for centuries. The tradition of having bridesmaids and groomsmen dates back to ancient Rome, where these wedding guests wore matching attire to confuse evil spirits and protect the newlyweds. Today, the groomsmen's main responsibilities include planning the bachelor party and escorting the bridesmaids down the aisle.

Protection from evil spirits

The tradition of bridesmaids and groomsmen originated in ancient Rome, where they served as protection against evil spirits. Here are some ways in which bridesmaids and groomsmen, along with other wedding traditions, have been believed to offer protection from evil spirits:

Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

In ancient Rome, bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed identically to the bride and groom to confuse and ward off evil spirits that might harm the newlyweds. This belief stemmed from the idea that the bride was particularly vulnerable to the influence of evil spirits on her wedding day. By having ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen—as required by ancient Roman law—the wedding party could protect the couple from malicious forces.

The Bridal Veil

The bridal veil also has its roots in ancient Roman tradition, where it was believed to possess apotropaic powers to ward off evil spirits. The Roman bride's veil, known as a flammeum, is thought to have been flame-colored, symbolizing the couple's commitment to remain married for life. Alternatively, it may have been designed to match the bride's height so it could be reused as her burial shroud. In Jewish tradition, the groom placing the veil over his bride's head symbolizes his promise to marry her for her inner beauty. In Christianity, the veil represents the bride's modesty, purity, and reverence for God. In Chinese weddings, the veil is worn in red to chase away harmful spirits.

Flowers and Herbs

The tradition of the bridal bouquet may have originated from ancient Greek beliefs that certain types of garlic, herbs, and spices could ward off evil spirits. Brides would carry these protective elements on their wedding day, sometimes covering their scent with flowers, thus creating the custom of carrying a bouquet.

Noisy Spirit Busters

The tradition of tying cans to the back of the wedding getaway vehicle is believed to have originated from the idea that the clanking sound would help ward off evil spirits.

Support and companionship

The wedding party is a long-standing tradition, dating back to ancient Rome, where ten bridesmaids and ten groomsmen dressed identically to the bride and groom to protect them from evil spirits and thieves. Today, the bridal party is there for support and companionship, and their main role is to give a toast to honour the newlyweds.

The bridal party is there to support the bride and groom in the lead-up to and on their wedding day. The maid or matron of honour, for example, offers emotional and logistical support to the bride and handles wedding day details such as holding her bouquet during the vows and toasting the newlyweds. Bridesmaids act as a support team for the maid of honour and help with any pre-wedding tasks. The best man acts as the groom's personal aide and advisor, ensuring he arrives at the ceremony on time and holding the bride's wedding ring at the altar. Groomsmen assist the best man and the groom in planning and preparing for the wedding, including helping to plan the stag do.

The bridal party also adds to the aesthetic of the wedding. While it is not necessary to match the bridesmaids and groomsmen, it is a great way to run a theme throughout the day. Couples can choose to coordinate their bridal party's outfits by choosing a common colour or print. This can be as simple as matching the bridesmaids' dresses with the groomsmen's accessories, such as ties, pocket squares, or socks.

The bridal party is also there to honour the friends and family who have supported the couple throughout their relationship. They are often sisters, brothers, cousins, childhood friends, or roommates. They are paired together during the processional and recessional, reception entrance, and wedding photos. Couples can pair their bridal party by real-life coupling or friendship, personality, height, or length of friendship.

Wedding photos

One way to achieve this is by colour-matching accessories. For instance, the groomsmen's ties, pocket squares, and even socks can be coordinated with the bridesmaids' dresses or other wedding decor elements such as flowers. This adds a stylish touch to the wedding party's attire without being overly matchy-matchy.

Another option is to pair bridesmaids and groomsmen based on their real-life relationships. Couples who are dating, engaged, or married can be matched, as well as friends. This creates a natural dynamic within the wedding party and makes for great photo opportunities.

Additionally, height can be considered when pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen. The tallest bridesmaid can be paired with the tallest groomsman, and the shortest couple can lead the way down the aisle, creating a visually appealing and balanced composition for photos.

It's worth noting that the responsibilities of the wedding party have evolved over time. In ancient Rome, bridesmaids and groomsmen dressed identically to the bride and groom to protect them from evil spirits and thieves. Today, their duties include planning the bachelor party, ushering guests, and giving toasts to honour the newlyweds.

Frequently asked questions