Bridesmaids Line Up: Order, Etiquette, And Traditions Explained

Bridesmaids are the most important people in the life of the bride, and they play a crucial role in the wedding. They are responsible for planning and attending pre-wedding events, providing emotional support to the bride, and standing beside her at the altar during the ceremony. Deciding the order in which they line up is an important aspect of the wedding ceremony. While there are no set rules, it is usually done based on height, relationship to the bride, length of the relationship, or attire colour.

By height

Line up your bridesmaids by height

One of the most stress-free ways to line up your bridesmaids is to arrange them by height. This is a great option if you want to avoid any drama and hurt feelings among your bridal party. It's also a good way to ensure your photos look balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

The first step is to decide where your Maid of Honour will stand. She will be right beside you, so you can then work outwards from her height. If she's on the shorter side, arrange the other bridesmaids from shortest to tallest. If she's taller, do the opposite and arrange them from tallest to shortest. This way, no one will feel left out or look awkward.

You can also pair the bridesmaids with groomsmen of a similar height. The shortest couple can walk down the aisle first, followed by the tallest pair, and so on. This will create a harmonious and symmetrical look for your ceremony and photographs.

If you have a large bridal party with a big height difference, you could also consider using stairs or different levels to create a sense of balance. For example, place the shortest bridesmaids on a higher step or platform. This will add a unique touch to your ceremony setup and ensure everyone feels included.

Remember, the most important thing is to make sure your bridal party knows how much you value and appreciate them. Let them know that their position in the lineup doesn't reflect their importance to you, and that you just want everything to look perfect for your special day.

By relationship to the bride

There are several ways to line up your bridesmaids by their relationship to the bride, but it's important to remember that feelings may be hurt if someone is placed at the end of the line. Here are some options to consider:

Family First

Group your bridesmaids by their relationship to the bride, starting with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and best friends. If you're not particularly close with your sisters or sisters-in-law, you can opt to keep your best friends closest to you and have your sisters or sisters-in-law round out the end.

Length of Relationship

Arrange your bridesmaids based on the length of your friendship, from the longest to the shortest. This is less likely to cause hurt feelings as the dates are objective.

Age

Another option is to arrange your bridesmaids by age, with the oldest closest to the bride and the youngest on the outer edge. This is similar to the "length of relationship" option and is less likely to cause hurt feelings.

How Close You Are

This option can be a bit tricky and may require some tact. You'll likely start with your maid of honour, followed by your sister or sister-in-law, and then it can vary. You could have your best friend followed by your cousin and another close friend, or you may swap the order around. Be cautious, as the person standing at the end may feel offended or slighted.

By length of friendship

When it comes to lining up your bridesmaids, there are many ways to do it, and one option is to arrange them by the length of friendship. This can be a great way to ensure no one's feelings get hurt, as it is based on facts and not personal opinions.

Arrange your bridesmaids from the longest friendship to the shortest. This is a simple way to decide the order of your bridesmaids and can be a fun way to reflect on the different stages of your life and the friends who have been a part of it. It can also be a good conversation starter for your bridesmaids, who may not all know each other, as they can discuss how long they have known the bride and any fun stories or memories from those times.

If you have a Maid of Honour, she will stand beside you, and the rest of the bridesmaids can line up from the longest-standing friend to the most recent. This is a foolproof way to ensure no one feels left out or slighted and can be a great way to honour each friend and their unique place in your life.

If you have a large bridal party, this can be an especially good way to arrange your bridesmaids, as it is clear and fair. It also means that newer friends are not left feeling less important, as they take their place at the end of the line, with older friends at the front. It is a simple and effective way to ensure everyone knows where they stand, literally!

Of course, you may wish to adapt this slightly, for example, if one of your newer friends has a role in the ceremony, such as a reading, you may wish to place them at the end of the line, so they can easily move to the microphone. Another option is to put your Maid of Honour at the front, followed by your longest-standing friend, and then any newer friends, so that your oldest friendship is honoured with a place at the front.

Arranging your bridesmaids by the length of friendship is a great way to ensure your friends feel valued and appreciated, and it can also be a fun way to celebrate the different stages of your life and the friends who have been with you along the way.

By age

When it comes to lining up your bridesmaids, there are a few options to consider. One popular option is to arrange them by age, with the oldest standing closest to the bride and the youngest on the outer edge of the lineup. This can be a good way to avoid any hurt feelings, as age is not something that can be negotiated.

If you choose to line up your bridesmaids by age, it's important to consider the age range of your bridal party. If you have a mix of adults and younger bridesmaids, you may want to designate the younger ones as "junior bridesmaids". Junior bridesmaids are usually between the ages of 9 and 14 (or 10 and 15, according to another source) and have fewer responsibilities than full-fledged attendants. They may not be invited to all the bridal events, such as the bachelorette party, and often have different attire than the adult bridesmaids.

If you have a large age range within your bridal party, you could also consider pairing the junior bridesmaids with older bridesmaids. This can help create a cohesive look and ensure that everyone feels included. For example, you could have the oldest bridesmaid stand at the front of the line, followed by the second oldest, then the youngest, and so on, alternating between older and younger bridesmaids.

Ultimately, the decision of how to line up your bridesmaids is up to you and your partner. You may want to consider the age of the bridesmaids, as well as their relationships with each other and the couple, to create a lineup that feels comfortable and respectful. Keep in mind that being a bridesmaid is an honour, and the most important thing is to choose people who you genuinely want to stand with you on your wedding day.

By role in the ceremony

Bridesmaids play a significant role in the wedding planning process and on the wedding day itself. They are usually the bride's closest friends and/or family members. One of the main roles of a bridesmaid is to assist the Maid of Honour with her wedding-planning duties and offer additional help to the bride as needed.

If one or two of your bridesmaids are delivering readings during the ceremony, it is a good idea to have them stand at the end of the line-up, so they can easily make their way to the microphone. This way, they can quickly deliver their readings without disrupting the flow of the ceremony.

Additionally, consider the following factors when deciding on the order of your bridesmaids:

• Height: Arranging bridesmaids by height, either from shortest to tallest or vice versa, is a foolproof way to ensure an aesthetically pleasing line-up without hurting anyone's feelings.
• Relationship to the Couple: Grouping bridesmaids by their relationship to the couple, starting with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and best friends, can be a meaningful way to honour these relationships during the ceremony.
• Length of Relationship: Arranging bridesmaids based on the length of their friendship with the couple, from longest to shortest, is another unbiased way to organise the line-up and avoid any hurt feelings.
• Age: Ordering bridesmaids from oldest to youngest or vice versa is a straightforward way to structure the line-up, as age is an arbitrary factor.

Frequently asked questions