Bridesmaids: Positioning For The Perfect Wedding Photos

There are many ways to determine where the bridesmaids should stand during a wedding ceremony. In the UK, bridesmaids traditionally sit in the first row on the left side of the bride, whereas in the US, they stand throughout the ceremony. However, couples are increasingly choosing to mix things up, with some bridesmaids walking down the aisle first, and others entering from the side. The order of the bridesmaids can be determined by height, relationship to the couple, how long they've known the couple, attire colour, or a combination of these factors. Ultimately, the decision on where the bridesmaids stand is up to the couple and there are no hard and fast rules.

By height, with the shortest closest to the altar

Ordering the bridesmaids by height, with the shortest closest to the altar, is a simple and effective way to organise the bridal party. This method is a great option for couples who want to avoid any potential hurt feelings among the bridal party, as height is a completely arbitrary factor.

The first step is to identify the shortest member of the bridal party, excluding the maid of honour, who will stand beside the bride. This bridesmaid will stand closest to the altar, with the rest of the bridesmaids lined up in order of ascending height. The tallest bridesmaid will be positioned furthest from the altar.

The maid of honour is an exception to the height order and will stand beside the bride, regardless of her height. Similarly, the best man will stand beside the groom, regardless of his height.

This height order system is a great way to ensure an aesthetically pleasing look for the bridal party and wedding photos. It also provides a clear and unbiased system for ordering the bridesmaids, without the potential for causing offence.

For example, ranking the bridal party by their relationship to the couple or how long they have known the couple could be tricky and may result in hurt feelings. Ordering the bridesmaids by height is a simple and effective solution to a potentially difficult decision.

By relationship to the couple

When it comes to lining up the bridal party, the order is really up to the couple. One option is to organise the bridesmaids by their relationship to the couple. This can be a tricky option, as it's difficult to rank loved ones based on closeness. However, it's a good idea to start with siblings and siblings-in-law, and then rank cousins, best friends, and other relatives in a way that feels comfortable. It's important to be sensitive when using this method, as you don't want anyone to feel hurt or slighted.

If the couple has a large family, they may want to include younger relatives as well. Teenage family members can be junior bridesmaids, and younger children can be flower girls or ring bearers. If the couple is close to their siblings, it's likely that they will include them in the bridal party. However, if they are not particularly close, it may be a good idea to still include them to avoid unnecessary conflict and hurt feelings. The same goes for in-laws—even if the couple is not very close to their partner's siblings, it's worth considering including them in the bridal party.

The couple may also want to consider including people they are not related to but are close to, such as best friends or other important people in their life. It's important to remember that there is no prescribed amount of bridesmaids or groomsmen, and the couple can choose as many or as few as they want.

If the couple is worried about hurting feelings, they can consider other roles for family members and friends, such as ushers, ceremony readers, candlelighters, or musicians. Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose people who the couple wants to be first in line to see them get married and who they can depend on and share laughs and tears with throughout the wedding process.

By how long they've known the couple

There are many ways to decide where your bridesmaids should stand during the ceremony. One option is to line them up based on how long they've known the couple, with the longest-standing friendships closest to the bride and groom. This is a good way to avoid any hurt feelings, as it's based on facts rather than the bride's personal relationships with each bridesmaid.

This approach can also add a meaningful touch to your wedding ceremony. By honouring the people who have been by your side throughout your life, you're acknowledging the important role they've played in your journey. It's a way to celebrate not just your marriage, but also the enduring friendships that have helped shape who you are today.

Of course, this method assumes that the people who have known you the longest are also the closest to you. If that's not the case, ranking your bridesmaids by the length of your friendship may not be the best approach. Every friendship is unique, and it can be tricky to compare relationships based solely on their duration.

Additionally, this approach may not account for significant relationships formed later in life. For instance, a bride may have a best friend from childhood standing next to her, while her future sister-in-law, whom she only met a few years ago, is relegated to a less prominent position. In this case, the order of the bridesmaids may unintentionally send the message that the bride values some relationships over others.

Therefore, while ranking bridesmaids by the length of their friendship with the couple can be a fair and diplomatic solution, it's important to carefully consider the dynamics of your particular friend group before making a decision.

By age, with the oldest closest to the couple

There are several ways to organise the bridesmaids' and groomsmen's lineup at a wedding. One way is to arrange them by age, with the oldest closest to the couple and the youngest on the outer edge of the arrangement. This method is thought to be diplomatic and less likely to hurt anyone's feelings, as age is not something that can be negotiated.

The wedding party's lineup is typically arranged with the couple standing in the centre, with the best man and maid/matron of honour in the spots closest to them, considered a place of honour. The spots furthest away from the couple are usually thought of as "least important". However, it is important to remember that standing at the altar in any location is an honour, and the wedding party should not be upset about their designated spots.

The wedding party's lineup can also be arranged according to their relationship with the couple, with siblings and siblings-in-law given priority, followed by cousins, best friends, and so on. However, this approach can be tricky, as ranking loved ones based on closeness can be challenging and may lead to hurt feelings if not handled carefully.

Another option is to line up the wedding party by height, with the shortest closest to the altar and the tallest farthest away, creating an aesthetically pleasing arrangement and ensuring that everyone is included in the photos. This method also avoids any potential hurt feelings due to the arbitrary nature of height.

The wedding party can also be arranged based on how long they have known the couple, with the longest friendships closest to the couple and the newest friends on the outer edge. This approach is considered diplomatic and helps to avoid any hurt feelings.

By attire colour

When it comes to deciding where your bridesmaids should stand, their attire colour can be a significant factor. Here are some tips to help you determine the placement of your bridal party based on their attire colour:

Complementary Colours:

It is essential to consider the colour wheel and choose colours that complement each other. For example, if your bridesmaids are wearing shades of purple, you might want to place them together to create a cohesive look. On the other hand, if your bridesmaids are wearing different shades of the same colour, you can create an ombre effect by arranging them from light to dark or vice versa.

Contrasting Colours:

If your bridesmaids are wearing contrasting colours, you can create a visually appealing display by placing them strategically. For instance, if you have some bridesmaids in dark colours and others in light colours, you can alternate them to create a balanced look. Alternatively, you can group bridesmaids with similar colours together to create blocks of colour.

Venue and Season:

Consider the colour scheme of your venue and the season of your wedding. For example, if you're having a beach wedding, your bridesmaids might wear shades of blue or coral. In that case, you can place them in a way that reflects the colours of the sea and sand. For a winter wedding, deep jewel tones are popular, so you might want to group similar shades together to create a rich, luxurious look.

Skin Tone:

It is important to consider the skin tones of your bridesmaids when deciding where they should stand. Certain colours may flatter specific skin tones more than others. By placing bridesmaids with similar skin tones and complementary colours together, you can create a harmonious look. For example, if you have a mix of fair-skinned and olive-skinned bridesmaids, you might want to group them based on the colours that suit them best.

Personal Style:

The bridesmaids' personal style and preferences can also play a role in their placement. If one of your bridesmaids feels more comfortable in a particular colour or style, you might want to place her in a more prominent position where she feels confident and happy.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to determining where your bridesmaids should stand. The most important thing is to ensure they feel comfortable, confident, and happy with their placement. By considering their attire colour and personal style, you can create a beautiful and cohesive bridal party that complements your wedding theme and venue.

Frequently asked questions