Arranging Bridesmaids: Factors To Consider For The Perfect Lineup

Deciding the order of bridesmaids can be a tricky part of wedding planning. The number of bridesmaids and the dynamics within the bridal party are factors that influence the order. While there is no right answer, there are several popular options to consider. One option is to arrange bridesmaids by height, which is aesthetically pleasing and avoids any potential hurt feelings. Another option is to group them by their relationship with the bride, starting with sisters, then cousins, and so on. The length of the relationship is another factor, with bridesmaids organised by how long they've known the bride. The age of the bridesmaids can also be a factor, with the oldest or youngest closest to the bride. Ultimately, the order of bridesmaids is a personal choice and can be adapted to suit the bridal party and the couple's preferences.

Height

Ordering your bridesmaids by height is a great way to avoid any potential hurt feelings, as height is completely arbitrary. This method is also aesthetically pleasing and ensures that your photos will look great. The only exception to this rule is the maid of honour, who should stand directly next to the bride, regardless of height.

If your maid of honour is on the shorter side, you can order the rest of the bridesmaids from tallest to shortest. Conversely, if your maid of honour is tall, you can reverse the order and have the shortest bridesmaid at the end.

If you have a very uneven wedding party, with a mix of very tall and very short bridesmaids, you may want to consider other arrangements to ensure the photos look balanced. For example, you could have the shortest bridesmaids stand on steps above the taller bridesmaids, or have some people sitting or kneeling in the photos. Alternatively, you could ask your photographer for suggestions on how to position your bridesmaids to ensure that everyone looks great.

Remember, the most important thing is that your bridesmaids know that they are all special to you and that their position in the lineup doesn't mean anything.

Relationship to the couple

Deciding on the order of bridesmaids can be a tricky task, especially when it comes to ranking them by their relationship to the couple. Here are some tips to help you navigate this delicate matter:

Start with Family

One approach is to give priority to family members, such as siblings or siblings-in-law, followed by cousins and other extended family. This way, you can ensure that your closest relatives are given a place of honour in the bridal party.

Consider the Level of Closeness

Ranking your bridesmaids based on how close you feel to them is another option. This can be a challenging task, as it involves comparing the depth of your relationships. However, you can try to arrange them in a way that reflects your feelings of closeness, whether it's your best friend from childhood, a close relative, or a new friend who has become like family.

Take into Account the Length of the Relationship

Instead of focusing on closeness, you can organise your bridesmaids based on how long you have known them. This approach may be less emotionally charged than ranking by closeness, as it simply acknowledges the duration of the relationship rather than its intensity. The longest friendships can be placed closest to the couple, with more recent friendships on the outer side of the lineup.

Be Mindful of Potential Hurt Feelings

No matter which approach you choose, it's important to remember that some individuals may feel hurt or slighted if they perceive their place in the order as less important. To minimise potential drama, you can opt for more objective criteria, such as height, age, or alphabetical order. You could also mix things up and have the bridal party stand or walk in a way that has nothing to do with their relationship to the couple, such as by attire colour or distance travelled to attend the wedding.

Keep the Maid of Honour Close

Regardless of the order you choose, make sure to reserve a spot for the maid of honour, who is typically either a close relative or best friend, near the couple during the ceremony. This position is usually considered a place of honour and is reserved for the individual who holds the most significance to the bride.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to deciding the order of bridesmaids, and you can always adapt and combine different criteria to suit your unique situation.

Length of relationship

Deciding the order of bridesmaids can be a tricky part of wedding planning. One option is to arrange them by the length of the relationship, which is a good plan if each bridesmaid is from a different stage of your life. This can be done by arranging them by the length of the friendship from longest to shortest. As this number is arbitrary, you won't have to worry about hurting anyone's feelings.

This option is a more objective ranking system, and it can be a diplomatic way to decide the order of bridesmaids. It is based on pure facts since the date you met can't be negotiated. However, it may not be as effective if you met all of your bridesmaids in the same year.

The order of bridesmaids can also be decided by pairing them with groomsmen based on the length of friendship. The older the relationship, the closer they should be to the couple in the processional.

Remember, there is no right answer for how to order the bridesmaids, and it's ultimately up to the couple.

Age

Deciding on the order of bridesmaids can be a tricky part of wedding planning. Bridesmaids can be organised by age, with the oldest closest to the bride and the youngest on the outer edge. This is a good way to avoid any hurt feelings, as age is not something that can be negotiated.

However, this method may not be the most aesthetically pleasing option, as it does not take into account the height of the bridesmaids. A way to get around this is to have the maid of honour, who is usually the bride's closest friend or relation, as the starting point. If she is tall, the other bridesmaids can be arranged from tallest to shortest, and if she is short, they can be arranged from shortest to tallest.

The bride may also want to consider how well this method fits with the rest of the wedding party. If the bridesmaids are paired with groomsmen, it may be more important to consider their heights or personalities when deciding on the order.

Dress colour

Deciding on the order of bridesmaids can be a tricky part of wedding planning. The good news is that there's no right answer, and it's really up to the couple. Here are some ideas for how dress colour can be used to determine the order of bridesmaids:

If your bridesmaids are wearing different colours or prints, you can arrange them in a way that makes sense aesthetically. For example, you could create an ombre effect, with the bridesmaids' dresses graduating from darkest to lightest, or vice versa. Alternatively, you could create a pattern that fits with your wedding aesthetic. This is a great way to avoid any potential hurt feelings, as the order is based on an arbitrary factor.

You could also consider pairing the bridesmaids with groomsmen based on their dress colour. For example, if a bridesmaid is wearing a pale blue dress, you could pair them with a groomsman wearing a matching tie or pocket square.

Other Options

There are several other ways to decide on the order of bridesmaids, including:

• Height: Arrange the bridesmaids by height, with the shortest at the altar and the tallest at the end, or vice versa.
• Relationship to the couple: Start with the maid of honour, then sisters or sisters-in-law, cousins, best friends, etc.
• Length of relationship: Order the bridesmaids from the longest friendship to the shortest.
• Age: Arrange the bridesmaids by age, with the oldest closest to the couple and the youngest on the outer edge.
• Alphabetical order: This is a good way to make it seem like you're not playing favourites and are not overly concerned with aesthetics.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules, and you can always mix and match these options or come up with your own unique system!

Frequently asked questions