Who Comes First? The Order Of Your Wedding Party

When it comes to wedding planning, there are a lot of decisions to be made, and one of the most important is choosing your bridal party. While it's essential to select people you're close to and can depend on, another question that often comes up is whether the groomsmen and bridesmaids should be listed or introduced first. While some couples stress over having an equal number of attendants, the truth is, you don't have to! It's becoming increasingly common for couples to buck tradition and do what feels right for them. So, whether you have an even or uneven number of groomsmen and bridesmaids, the key is to focus on the people you want by your side as you celebrate your special day.

The number of bridesmaids and groomsmen does not have to be equal

The number of bridesmaids and groomsmen in a wedding party does not have to be equal. It is becoming more common for couples to have uneven wedding parties, and there are many ways to make this work.

Couples may have uneven wedding parties for a variety of reasons. For example, one partner may have more siblings or a larger circle of friends. One partner may want to include more relatives or have multiple maids of honour or best men.

There are several options for handling the processional with an uneven wedding party. One groomsman can walk with two bridesmaids, or vice versa. Each member of the wedding party can walk down the aisle alone, or all the groomsmen can be at the altar before the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. If there is only one extra attendant, they can walk down the aisle with a dog. If the numbers are very uneven, the groomsmen can enter from the side while the bridesmaids walk down the aisle.

During the ceremony, the wedding party stands in order of importance, with the best man and maid of honour closest to the couple. If the numbers are uneven and the group looks lopsided, the best man and maid of honour can stand beside the couple while the rest of the wedding party sits in the front row.

There are also many ways to pose for photographs with an uneven wedding party. The wedding party can form a semi-circle around the couple, or they can be posed in couples or groups of three, with people from each side mixed together. The bridesmaids and groomsmen can also be split in a V-shape, spaced so that each group appears even. Candid pictures in motion, such as the group walking towards the photographer, can also help to conceal any unevenness. The uneven bridal party can also be posed in rows, with the larger group standing in the back and the smaller group sitting in the front, with the couple in the middle.

The bride and groom can decide how to pair their bridal party for the processional and recessional

Couples can also pair their bridal party by height, with the tallest bridesmaid paired with the tallest groomsman, and so on. The shortest couple can walk down the aisle first, and the tallest couple can go last. This pairing method works aesthetically and makes photographs look balanced. If the bridesmaids and groomsmen are all born in the same year, they can be paired by birth month.

Another option is to pair the bridal party by length of friendship or role, matching the bridesmaid the bride has known the longest with the groomsman the groom has known the longest. The older the relationship, the closer they should be to the couple in the processional. Couples can also pair the maid of honour with the best man, and any bridesmaids or groomsmen who will be performing readings together.

The bridal party can be included in wedding photos in a variety of ways

The Classic Group Shot

This is a must-have, according to photographer Audra Wrisley. The couple takes centre stage, with the bridal party on either side. The shot can be taken as a candid laugh or a more serious pose, whichever is more natural for your group.

The Symmetrical Shot

This shot plays off the bridal party colours and the backdrop, blending them together for a striking portrait.

The Adoring Bridesmaids

This shot captures the silly and heartwarming moments among the bridal party. The bridesmaids gaze over at the bride, who can either react to their comments or look straight at the camera.

The Bird's-Eye View Group Photo

Photographers love capturing creative perspectives, and this angle adds an element of artistry to the wedding party photos. It can be used to set the scene, whether on a beach, in a garden, or any other location.

The Peek-Behind Shot

The bridal party faces forward, with the bride peeking back over her shoulder. This works well with just the bridesmaids or with the full wedding party walking away, and the couple peeking back.

The Editorial Arrangement

This shot has a more formal feel, with the wedding party sitting and standing in a posed arrangement, with the couple at the centre, of course.

Alternating Bridesmaids and Groomsmen

Symmetry is aesthetically pleasing, but you can also mix things up by alternating bridesmaids and groomsmen for a fun mix of hues.

The Friendship Photo

The bridal party poses as they naturally would, creating a natural and relaxed shot.

The Candid Capture

Photographers love to capture moments that highlight the bridal party's personality. These shots usually happen during the "everyone, chat naturally!" group poses and make great keepsakes for the bridal party members, too.

The Album Cover

The wedding party poses as if they are on an album cover, creating fun and silly shots that are sure to make the couple smile.

The Wedding Party in Transit

Whether it's on a bus or a boat, capturing the wedding party in transit is a creative and momentous shot. It showcases the true flow of the wedding day—the wedding party going from prep to vows, or vows to the reception.

The Wedding Party Walk

The couple walks just a few paces ahead of the bridal party, bringing elegance and movement to the photo and making the group look more natural.

The Altar Shot

If the couple has the entire bridal party up at the altar, this is a beautiful moment to capture. A beautifully symmetrical shot, it is one of those frame-worthy photos that couples will forever adore.

The Exit

The moment when the couple leaves the ceremony is the perfect time to capture the wedding party in action. The family and bridal party are the first ones to welcome the couple out, making for beautiful photos and an equally blissful moment.

The Tunnel of Applause

To take the celebration up a notch, photographers may place the wedding party on either side and have the couple walk or run through them. This tunnel of cheering and excitement perfectly encapsulates the wedding-day excitement.

The Post-Ceremony Bliss

Immediately after the couple ties the knot and exits the ceremony, the camera captures the wedding-party bliss. This naturally turns into a walking shot, with the couple and bridal party travelling from point A to point B, and those smiles are rarely forced, as the reception is on the horizon!

The Party

When the portrait session is over and the party is about to begin, capture the couple and crew in their element—sharing a shot or dancing to their favourite tunes. This photo shows the wedding party's personality and is sure to elicit laughs for years to come.

The bride and groom can decide whether to have their bridal party stand during the ceremony

If the couple would like their bridal party to walk down the aisle, there are several options for how to pair an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. One option is to have each groomsman walk with two bridesmaids, or vice versa if there are more bridesmaids. If the difference is only one person, the dog lover in the bigger group could walk with the couple's dog. If the groups are more unevenly matched, the groomsmen could enter from the side, and the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Alternatively, each member of the bridal party could walk down the aisle individually, at a quicker pace.

For photographs, the bridal party could form a semi-circle around the couple, or be blended together in couples or groups of three, standing on both sides of the couple. If the couple would like to uphold the tradition of separating the bridesmaids and groomsmen, they could stand in a V-shape to conceal the spaces between attendants. For something unique, the photographer could take candid, motion pictures, where everyone is mixed up, and there is less focus on position. The bridal party could also be separated by having them pose in rows, with the larger party standing at the back, and the smaller party sitting in the front, with the couple in the middle.

During the ceremony, the side with fewer attendants can spread out, creating extra space between each person, while the side with more attendants stands closer together, making each side a similar length. The bridal party can also be mixed up on both sides, or stand on the same side of the altar, with the bridesmaids and groomsmen together.

The bride and groom can choose to have their bridal party sit in the first two rows during the ceremony

If the bridal party is relatively small, the couple may choose to have them sit in the first two rows, which are usually reserved for family. This can create a more intimate setting for the ceremony and make it easier for the bridal party to provide support to the couple if needed.

Additionally, having the bridal party sit in the first two rows can help to create a clear separation between the bridal party and the rest of the guests. This can be especially useful if the couple wants to ensure that their bridal party is easily identifiable or if they want to create a more exclusive feeling for the ceremony.

For couples with a large bridal party, having them sit in the first two rows can also help to ensure that everyone is comfortable and has a good view of the ceremony. It can also create a more unified look for the bridal party, making them stand out from the rest of the guests.

Overall, the decision to have the bridal party sit in the first two rows is a personal choice that the bride and groom can make based on their preferences and the dynamics of their bridal party. It can be a practical solution for uneven bridal parties and create a visually appealing and intimate setting for the ceremony.

Frequently asked questions