Arranging Wedding Parties: Perfectly Pairing Bridesmaids And Groomsmen

There are many ways to arrange bridesmaids and groomsmen for a wedding ceremony. The arrangement of the wedding party is important as it can affect the aesthetics of the event and the feelings of those involved. Some ways to arrange the bridal party include by height, by relationship to the couple, by how long they've known the couple, by attire colour, by age, alphabetically, or by pairing them up. The bridal party can also be given creative entrances to make the event more memorable.

By height, with the shortest closest to the altar

Arranging your bridal party by height is a great way to avoid any hurt feelings among your bridesmaids and groomsmen. It is also aesthetically pleasing and will look great in photos.

The first thing to do is to decide where your maid of honour and best man will stand. Typically, they will be positioned closest to the couple, regardless of their height. If your maid of honour is short, you can arrange the rest of the bridal party from shortest to tallest, with the tallest person at the end of the line. Conversely, if your maid of honour is tall, you can reverse the order, with the tallest person standing closest to the altar, and the shortest at the end.

The same rules apply if you are arranging the bridal party by height for the processional. The shortest couple goes first, and the tallest couple goes last.

If you are pairing up a bridesmaid with a groomsman, you can match the tallest bridesmaid with the tallest groomsman, and the shortest with the shortest.

Remember, the most important thing is that your bridal party feels comfortable and happy, so make sure to communicate with them and be mindful of any potential hurt feelings.

By relationship to the couple

When it comes to arranging your bridal party by their relationship to the couple, it can be a little tricky. You might start with siblings and siblings-in-law, followed by cousins, best friends, and so on. However, it's important to be mindful of feelings and avoid causing any hurt or offence.

If you have a bridesmaid and groomsman who are a couple, most people agree that they should walk together, regardless of height or length of friendship with the couple. If one is the maid of honour or best man, it's a little more complicated. Some people suggest splitting them up, while others say to keep them together. If you do decide to split them up, you could always have them dance together at the reception.

If you have a bridesmaid or groomsman who is married to someone outside of the wedding party, it's generally considered okay to split them up. However, if they are dating or engaged, it's customary to pair them together.

If you're concerned about the aesthetic of your wedding photos, you could pair up your bridal party by height, with the shortest couple walking down the aisle first and the tallest couple going last.

By age, with the oldest closest to the couple

When it comes to arranging your bridal party, there are many ways to do it. One option is to arrange them from the oldest to the youngest, with the oldest standing closest to the couple. This is a good way to avoid any hurt feelings, as age is not something that can be negotiated.

If you choose to go with this option, the oldest bridesmaid or groomsman will stand next to the couple, followed by the second oldest, and so on. The youngest bridesmaid or groomsman will be on the outer edge of the lineup. This way, it is clear that no favouritism has been shown, and everyone's place in the line-up is based solely on their age.

Of course, this option may not always be feasible, especially if all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen are of a similar age. In that case, you may want to consider other options, such as arranging them by height, or by how long you have known each other.

Remember, there is no one "correct" way to arrange your bridal party. The most important thing is to choose an option that works best for your group and that you are comfortable with. You may also want to consider the aesthetics of the arrangement, especially if you are particular about how the photos will turn out.

By how long they've known each other

When it comes to arranging your bridesmaids and groomsmen, there are a few different approaches you can take. One option is to pair them based on how long the bride and groom have known each person. This can be a great way to honour the long-standing relationships in your life and give a special role to those who have been by your side for many years.

If you choose to go down this route, the oldest friendships should be placed closest to the bride and groom, with the more recent relationships on the outer edges of the arrangement. This approach can be especially meaningful and is a diplomatic way to organise your wedding party without hurting anyone's feelings.

However, it is important to note that this method may only work well if your bridesmaids and groomsmen are from different stages of your life. If you happen to have met all of your bridesmaids or groomsmen within the same time frame, this approach may not be as effective in creating a clear order.

Additionally, it is worth considering that the length of a relationship does not always equate to its depth or significance. A more recent friendship could be just as meaningful as an older one, so it is essential to keep in mind the unique dynamics and contexts of each relationship when making your decisions.

Finally, remember that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to arranging your wedding party. You can choose to mix and match different pairing approaches or even come up with your own unique system that reflects your relationships and preferences.

By attire colour

Arranging your bridesmaids and groomsmen by attire colour is a great way to run a theme throughout your wedding day. It's a chance to express your personality as a couple and set the tone for the celebration.

Choosing your colour palette

The first step is to pick out your wedding colours and overall theme. Your wedding colours will be used throughout your big day, from decorations to outfits, so it's worth spending some time on this decision. While you can stick to just one or two colours, it's common to have primary wedding colours and secondary 'accent' colours, giving you endless possibilities to get creative.

Selecting your primary colours

After you've chosen your wedding palette, it's time to pick 1-2 primary colours. These are the colours that will be seen the most during your ceremony and will be used for your bridesmaids' dresses and groomsmen's accessories. Consider what these colours would look like as a suit or a dress to make sure you love them.

Matching your bridal party

There are a few ways to match your bridal party's attire. The most popular way is to colour-match the groomsmen's ties to the bridesmaids' dresses. You can also match the groomsmen's pocket squares, socks, or other accessories to the dresses. If your bridesmaids are wearing different-coloured dresses, you can match each groomsman's neckwear to an individual dress.

Coordinating colours

If you don't want to fully match your bridal party, you can use complementary colours to accentuate your colour scheme. You could also try unusual suit colours or mix and match bridesmaids' colours, fabrics, and styles, especially if you have a mixed-gender bridal party.

Classic and unique colours

For a classic, coordinated look, consider a bridal party shade that's naturally found in nature, like cinnamon or quartz. For something more unique, let your creativity flow by choosing colours with the same level of saturation and undertone.

Frequently asked questions