Bridesmaids Galore: Tips For A Balanced Wedding Party

Having an uneven wedding party is not uncommon, and there are many ways to arrange the bridal party to make it work. While tradition used to dictate that there should be the same number of bridesmaids and groomsmen, modern weddings are moving away from this rigid rule. Couples may have different numbers of close friends or siblings, and it is not reasonable to expect symmetry in this regard. Here are some tips and tricks to handle a mismatched number of bridesmaids and groomsmen gracefully:

- For the walk down the aisle, one option is to have each groomsman walk with two bridesmaids or vice versa. Alternatively, the bridal party can walk down the aisle individually or in smaller groups.

- During the ceremony, the wedding party will stand on the side of the person they are closest to. Don't worry too much about how it looks, as all eyes will be on the couple. Ensure there is enough room for everyone.

- For photographs, the wedding party can form a semi-circle around the couple instead of the traditional sides format. They can also be blended in couples or groups and posed in staggered formats, such as walking towards the photographer, to create candid and unique pictures.

- For the reception entrance, each person can be announced individually, or the unpaired person can walk in alone or with another couple.

Have two groomsmen escort the flower girl/ring bearer

If you have more bridesmaids than groomsmen, one creative solution is to have two groomsmen escort the flower girl and/or ring bearer. This can be a great way to include more people in your wedding party and ensure that everyone feels involved.

The flower girl and ring bearer are usually between the ages of 4 and 10, but weddings today often feature toddlers or even infants in these roles. If the children are very young, you may want to provide close assistance during the ceremony, such as having a parent escort them down the aisle and stay with them throughout. You can also have toys available to distract any noisy children.

The flower girl and ring bearer will need outfits that match the colour scheme and theme of your wedding. For example, a flower girl might wear a white ballet flat, while a ring bearer could wear a tiny tux or a bow tie and suspenders. You might also want to consider accessories like an ornate headband for the flower girl or a conductor hat for the ring bearer.

The flower girl and ring bearer can walk down the aisle together, creating a charming duo that is sure to delight your guests. If you have multiple flower girls or ring bearers, you can pair them up or have them walk down the aisle in groups to make the experience less intimidating.

Have the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter separately

Having the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter separately is a great option for couples with uneven bridal parties. This approach ensures that the difference in numbers is less noticeable and can add a unique twist to the ceremony. Here are some tips for executing this idea:

Entry Ideas

The groomsmen can enter from the side, joining the groom, while the bridesmaids make their entrance by walking down the aisle. This creates a striking visual and allows each group to shine. For the recessional, you can pair up the maid of honour and best man, while the remaining bridal party members walk with two groomsmen to one bridesmaid, or the last two groomsmen can accompany the flower girl and ring bearer. Alternatively, you can have the entire bridal party walk in separately, creating an elegant and individualised entrance for each person.

Seating Arrangements

If you want to avoid any lopsided appearances during the ceremony, you can opt to have only the best man and maid/matron of honour stand beside you while the rest of the bridal party takes a seat in the front row. This ensures a balanced look without drawing attention to the uneven numbers.

Photography Poses

When it comes to photographs, there are numerous ways to pose your bridal party to minimise the appearance of uneven numbers. Consider forming a semi-circle around the couple, blending them in couples or groups of three, or arranging them in a V-shape to create the illusion of even groups. For something unique, opt for candid, in-motion shots, where the bridal party is walking towards the photographer, resulting in a mixed and dynamic composition. Alternatively, separate your bridal party by having them pose in rows, with the larger group standing in the back and the smaller group sitting in the front, creating a staggered and organic look.

Have the wedding party walk in individually

If you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and grooms, there's no need to panic. It's your day, and you should be happy with the people you've chosen to be part of your wedding party. The number of bridesmaids versus groomsmen doesn't matter, and the old rules for weddings are out.

One option for the processional is to have each member of the wedding party walk down the aisle individually. This is perfectly fine, but they should enter at a quicker pace to keep things moving. This option works well if the groups are more unevenly matched, such as 10 bridesmaids and two groomsmen.

The wedding party can also enter separately, with the groomsmen entering from the side and the bridesmaids walking down the aisle. This can be a unique and memorable way to include all your friends and family in the ceremony.

For the recessional, you can have the maid of honour and best man walk back together, while the remaining bridal party walks with two groomsmen to one bridesmaid, or the last two groomsmen can exit with the flower girl or ring bearer.

There are many ways to get creative with the processional and recessional, so don't be afraid to entertain different ideas. Your ceremony will be beautiful and wonderful, no matter how many people are standing up with you.

Have the wedding party stand in a semi-circle for photos

If you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and grooms, don't panic! It's your day, and you should be making decisions that make you happy.

When it comes to photos, there are a few options to consider if you want to make the group look more balanced. One suggestion is to have the wedding party form a semi-circle around the couple, instead of the traditional "sides". This way, you can include everyone in the photo without making it obvious that there are more bridesmaids than grooms. You could also blend them together in couples or groups of three and have them stand on both sides of the couple. If you want to stick to tradition, you can still split the bridesmaids and groomsmen, but have them stand in a V-shape, spaced so that each group appears even.

You could also try something more unique, like choosing candid pictures in motion—for example, you could have the group walking towards the photographer, creating a less structured photo where there's less focus on the position of each person. Another option is to separate your uneven bridal party by having them pose in rows instead of sides. Have the larger group stand in the back, while the smaller group sits on chairs in the front, with the couple in the middle, for a more staggered and natural-looking photo.

Remember, there are countless ways to get creative with wedding photos, and a good photographer will be able to make any photo shine.

Have the wedding party sit in the front row during the ceremony

If you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and grooms, don't panic! There are many ways to arrange your wedding party during the ceremony, and one elegant solution is to have the wedding party sit in the front row. This can be a good option if you don't want the wedding party standing at the altar with you, or if you want to ensure that your closest family members can sit in the front row.

In most traditional Christian weddings, the bride's parents sit in the first row on the left side of the aisle, and the groom's parents sit in the first row on the right. In a Jewish wedding, this formation is flipped. In some Jewish Orthodox and Muslim wedding ceremonies, attendees are divided by gender. If you are having an outdoor wedding, you could also arrange chairs in a circle or spiral around the altar, which would allow more guests to sit closer to the ceremony.

If you opt to have the wedding party sit in the front row, the best man and maid/matron of honour can stand beside you at the altar. If you have a large wedding party, you could also have some of them enter from the side and sit in the second row. This can be a good option if you want to ensure that your closest friends are still involved in the processional and recessional.

If you're worried about how an uneven wedding party will look during the ceremony, don't be. Your guests will be focused on you and your partner, and there are many ways to arrange your wedding party so that things look symmetrical. For example, you could have two groomsmen enter with the bride's parents or other family members, or two groomsmen could escort the flower girl or ring bearer.

Frequently asked questions