Bridesmaids And Groomsmen: Balancing The Wedding Party Numbers

Having an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen at a wedding is a tradition that is becoming less common. While some couples may worry about how an uneven wedding party will look, there are many ways to make it work, and it is ultimately more important to have the people you feel closest to by your side on your wedding day.

It's not a big deal to have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen

Today's weddings are subverting traditional expectations, and with that comes a departure from rigid rules. Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute, says that "the idea of having to ask people you wouldn't just for the sake of being even means you're putting numbers and symmetry above people".

If you're worried about how an uneven wedding party will look, there are some creative ways to make it work. For example, during the processional, you could have each bridesmaid and groomsman walk down the aisle on their own, or have them double up. If you have more groomsmen, they could escort single relatives or the mother of the bride. You could also have the wedding party sit during the ceremony to make any unevenness less obvious.

For photos, your photographer will be able to pose you aesthetically and help balance any uneven numbers. For example, the wedding party could form a semi-circle around the couple instead of the traditional "sides" format. You could also have them pose in rows, with the larger party standing at the back and the smaller party sitting in the front, or stagger the group on a staircase.

There are no rules that say bridesmaids and groomsmen need to pair off for their entrances

If you are concerned about how this will look for your wedding, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, don't worry too much about how your wedding party will look during the ceremony. Chances are, your guests will be focused on you and your spouse. Secondly, if you want to make things look even, you can try matching one bridesmaid with two groomsmen or vice versa. You could also have each member of the bridal party walk down the aisle alone, or have all the groomsmen start the ceremony at the altar, in which case the bridesmaids will be the only ones walking down the aisle.

If you're worried about how an uneven bridal party will look in photos, don't be. Your photographer will be a professional who knows how to pose you and your wedding party to create a balanced and cohesive aesthetic. They may suggest a semi-circle formation around the couple, or blending the bridal party in couples or groups of three, mixing groomsmen and bridesmaids on both sides of the couple. You could also try a staggered photo, with the larger group standing in the back and the smaller group sitting in the front, with the couple in the middle.

Remember, the most important thing is to have the people you feel closest to by your side on your wedding day. Don't feel pressured to add or subtract people from your bridal party just to make the numbers match.

You can have the wedding party walk in unpaired, so the difference won't be obvious

It is becoming increasingly common for couples to have uneven wedding parties, and it is absolutely fine to do so. The number of bridesmaids and groomsmen is not important, and you should not feel pressured to add or subtract people simply to make the numbers match.

If you are concerned about how an uneven wedding party will look when walking down the aisle, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, you can have the wedding party walk in unpaired, so the difference won't be obvious. This can be done by having each member of the bridal party walk down the aisle individually, or by having the groomsmen start at the altar, so only the bridesmaids walk down the aisle. Alternatively, you can pair one groomsman with two bridesmaids, or vice versa, depending on which group has more people. If there is only a difference of one attendant, you could also match up the dog lover in the bigger group with your dog.

For the wedding ceremony, the wedding party will stand on the side of the person they are closest to. Don't worry too much about how your uneven wedding party will look standing at the altar, as all eyes will be on you. Just make sure there is enough room for everyone.

You can have the wedding party sit during the ceremony to make the unevenness less obvious

Having an uneven bridal party is not a big deal and is actually quite common. If you're worried about how this will look during the ceremony, there are a few things you can do to make the unevenness less obvious. One option is to have the wedding party sit during the ceremony. This is a completely valid option and can even be preferable for your bridal party, saving them the awkwardness of having to stand for a long period of time.

If you are having a religious ceremony, it is common for the bridal party to be seated. For example, couples having a full Catholic mass will often ask their bridal party to remain seated. You can also reserve seats for the bridal party in the first and second rows, regardless of whether you're having a religious ceremony. This way, they can still walk down the aisle during the processional, but then be seated for the duration of the ceremony.

If you do decide to have your bridal party sit, it is recommended to keep it consistent, with either all standing or all seated. You can also have just the best man and maid of honour stand beside you while the rest of the bridal party is seated. This can be a good option if you are concerned about the unevenness being too noticeable.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to have your bridal party stand or sit during the ceremony is up to you and there are valid options for both choices.

You can have the wedding party stand in a semi-circle around the couple for photos, instead of the traditional 'sides'

It is becoming increasingly common for couples to have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen in their wedding party. This is not a big deal and can be easily managed with some creativity.

One concern that couples may have is how the wedding party will pose for photographs. A suggestion is to have the wedding party form a semi-circle around the couple, instead of the traditional sides. This way, the uneven numbers are less noticeable and the photographer can create a balanced, cohesive aesthetic. This formation also allows for more creative and candid pictures, with the group walking towards the photographer, for example.

Another option is to blend the bridal party together in couples or groups of three, and have them stand on both sides of the couple. This can create a symmetrical look, especially if the total number of attendants is even, such as seven bridesmaids to three groomsmen. The bridesmaids and groomsmen can also be mixed up on both sides, which works well if the difference is only one or two attendants.

If you want to maintain the tradition of separating the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the wedding party can stand in a V-shape, spaced so that each group appears even. This shape will conceal the spaces between attendants. Alternatively, the larger group can stand in the back, while the smaller group sits on chairs in the front, with the couple in the middle, creating a staggered and organic-looking photo.

Remember, the most important thing is to have those you feel closest to by your side on your wedding day. With some creativity and flexibility, you can easily manage an uneven wedding party and still have beautiful photographs to cherish forever.

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