Franklin Dean
Arranging bridesmaids can be a tricky part of wedding planning. The order in which bridesmaids walk down the aisle and stand beside the bride can affect personal feelings, and the more bridesmaids there are, the more complicated this becomes. There is no right answer for how to order the procession of attendants, but there are several popular options to choose from. One of the most common ways to arrange bridesmaids is by height, which avoids hurt feelings and looks aesthetically pleasing in photographs. Bridesmaids can also be arranged by their relationship to the bride, with the closest friends and family members standing closest to the bride. However, this option can be tricky and cause hurt feelings if an attendant feels their place in the lineup doesn't match how close they thought they were to the bride. Another option is to arrange bridesmaids by the length of the relationship, from longest to shortest. This works especially well if each attendant is from a different stage in the bride's life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bridesmaids | 3-10 |
| Order | By height, relationship, length of relationship, dress colour, role in ceremony, alphabetically, age |
| Feelings | Avoid hurting anyone's feelings |
What You'll Learn
By height
Arranging your bridesmaids by height is a great way to organise your bridal party without hurting anyone's feelings. It's also a good option if you're keen to ensure your wedding photographs are aesthetically pleasing.
The first step is to consider the height of your Maid of Honour. If she's on the shorter side, you'll want to arrange the rest of the bridesmaids from shortest to tallest, with the tallest bridesmaid at the end of the line. If your Maid of Honour is tall, you'll want to do the opposite, arranging the rest of the bridesmaids from tallest to shortest, with the shortest bridesmaid at the end. This works for the Groom's side of the party, too.
The Maid of Honour and Best Man should stand directly next to the couple, regardless of their height. The rest of the bridal party can be arranged by height, with the shortest person closest to the altar and the tallest person farthest away. This will create a balanced look for photographs, with the added bonus of not causing any upset among the bridal party.
If you have a flower girl or ring bearer, you can include them in the height arrangement, too. It's convenient if your Maid of Honour or Best Man is either the tallest or shortest person in the group, but they should always be positioned closest to the couple, regardless of height.
Choosing Bridesmaids: Age Considerations and Implications
You may want to see also
By relationship to the couple
When it comes to arranging your bridesmaids by their relationship to the couple, there are a few ways to go about it. Here are some suggestions:
Family First
Group your bridesmaids by their relationship to you, starting with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and best friends. If you're not particularly close to your sisters or in-laws, you can opt to have them round out the end of the line-up while keeping your closest friends nearest to you. This approach works well if you have a larger bridal party.
Length of Relationship
Arrange your bridesmaids based on how long you've known them, from the longest to the shortest friendship. This approach is less likely to cause hurt feelings, as the number of years is an arbitrary criterion.
Include Family Members
If you're close to your sister(s), including them in your bridal party is a natural choice. Even if you don't consider your sibling a best friend, including them can help avoid unnecessary conflict and hurt feelings. The same goes for in-laws; including your partner's sister(s) can foster closeness and family harmony.
Consider Personalities
When choosing your bridesmaids, think about how they will get along with each other. It doesn't mean they have to be best friends, but if someone on your list has a strong or abrasive personality, you may want to avoid potential drama by considering the group dynamics. Aim for a mix of friendly and cordial individuals who can transition easily between different groups.
Be Mindful of Budget
Being a bridesmaid can be expensive, considering the costs of flights, gifts, and pre-wedding events. If you know a friend is in a tight financial spot, chat with them before making your final decision. Let them know you'd love to have them as a bridesmaid, but also offer alternative ways for them to be involved if the financial burden is too high.
Bridesmaid Style: Mixing Colors and Personal Taste
You may want to see also
By length of relationship
When it comes to arranging your bridesmaids, one way to do it is by the length of your relationship with them. This is a good way to avoid any hurt feelings, as it's based on facts rather than feelings.
You will likely have met your bridesmaids at different stages of your life, so arranging them by the length of your friendship, from longest to shortest, is a fair way to line them up. This way, you avoid any suggestions of favouritism and no one will feel left out.
If you have a Maid of Honour, she will stand beside you, but aside from that, you can organise your bridesmaids by the date you met them. If you have known some of your bridesmaids since birth, they will be at the front of the line, and those you met at university or work will be towards the end.
If you are worried about how this will look aesthetically, you can always mix things up for photos or during the ceremony. It's also a good idea to make it clear to your bridal party that their position in the line-up has no meaning and that they are all equally important to you.
This method of arranging bridesmaids can also be used for groomsmen, and for pairing bridesmaids with groomsmen.
Mori Lee Bridesmaids Dresses: Affordable Elegance for Your Wedding Party
You may want to see also
By attire colour
When it comes to arranging your bridesmaids by attire colour, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, you'll want to consider the different skin tones and complexions of your bridesmaids and choose a colour that suits everyone. This can be achieved by either incorporating different tints of the same colour or opting for a universally flattering shade such as dark teal or maroon.
Another thing to think about is your wedding theme. For example, if you're going for a boho-chic theme, warm colours like rust, brown, burgundy, and deep mustard would work well. On the other hand, a city rooftop celebration calls for bolder colours like Kelly green or royal blue. The season and venue are also important factors when choosing a colour. Lighter and earthier hues are more suitable for a summer barn wedding, while pastel colours and sunset hues are perfect for a beach wedding.
If you're having trouble deciding on a specific colour, don't be afraid to mix and match. The ombre and mix-and-match trends are popular choices for bridal parties, allowing you to incorporate a variety of colours. You can also play with different styles, textures, and embellishments to add interest and dimension to your bridesmaids' attire.
Remember, the most important thing is to choose a colour or colours that you love and that complement your wedding theme and venue. By considering the skin tones of your bridesmaids and the overall aesthetic you want to achieve, you can create a cohesive and stunning look for your bridal party.
UK Wedding Traditions: Bridesmaids Numbers Explained
You may want to see also
By age
When it comes to arranging your bridesmaids, there are a few different options to consider, and it is ultimately up to you how you want to organise your bridal party. Here is some advice on how to arrange your bridesmaids by age:
Firstly, it is important to consider the role of the Maid of Honour. If your Maid of Honour is significantly older or younger than the other bridesmaids, you may want to place her at the beginning or end of the line-up, so that the ages progress from oldest to youngest, or vice versa. This will create a sense of progression and balance within the line-up.
If you have a mix of ages among your bridesmaids, you can arrange them from oldest to youngest, with the oldest closest to the bride and the youngest on the outer edge. This is a simple and straightforward way to organise your bridal party and avoids any potential hurt feelings, as age is not something that can be negotiated.
However, if your bridesmaids are all of a similar age, you may need to get creative. One option is to arrange them by birth month, with the bridesmaid born in January closest to the bride, followed by February, and so on. Alternatively, you could pair the oldest bridesmaid with the youngest, and so on, creating a balanced and varied line-up.
If you have a large bridal party, you could also try grouping your bridesmaids by age. For example, you could place all the bridesmaids in their 20s together, followed by those in their 30s, and so on. This will create a sense of cohesion within the line-up and ensure that no one feels left out.
Remember, the most important thing is to make sure your bridesmaids feel valued and appreciated. Communicate your decisions clearly to them and emphasise that their position in the line-up has no bearing on your relationship with them. Ultimately, as long as your bridal party is by your side on your special day, that is all that matters.
Asking Bridesmaids: How Early Is Too Early?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to arrange your bridesmaids without causing offence. You could arrange them by height, with the shortest closest to the altar and the tallest farthest away. Alternatively, you could arrange them by how long you've known each bridesmaid, with the ones you've known the longest closest to the altar. You could also arrange them by their relationship to you, starting with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and best friends.
The Maid of Honour stands beside the bride, regardless of her height.
Some less common ways to arrange bridesmaids include arranging them by their role in the ceremony, the colour of their dresses, or alphabetically by their first or last names.
