There are many ways to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen, and it is ultimately up to the couple's preference. Traditionally, it was assumed that the groomsmen would escort the bridesmaids, and that there would be an even number on both sides to make the task simpler. However, in modern times, there are no hard and fast rules, and couples can choose to have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen or even have them walk down the aisle solo. Some common ways to pair up the bridal party include matching by height, personality, length of friendship, or real-life coupling or friendship. Ultimately, the goal is to create a cohesive and coordinated bridal party that reflects the couple's style and sets the tone for the wedding.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of bridesmaids and groomsmen | There is no need to have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. |
Order | The maid of honour and best man should be paired together. |
The bridal party can be ordered by height, with the shortest couple walking down the aisle first and the tallest going last. | |
The bridal party can be ordered by the length of friendship or relationship with the bride and groom, with the longest friendship/relationship closest to the bride and groom in the processional. | |
The bridal party can be ordered by importance to the couple, with the most important people closest to the bride and groom. | |
Pairing | Couples who are dating, engaged or married are usually paired together. |
Bridesmaids and groomsmen can be paired by personality, e.g. pairing an extroverted bridesmaid with an outgoing groomsman. |
What You'll Learn
Pair by height
Pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen by height is a popular option for wedding parties. This method can help to create aesthetically pleasing photos and ensure that everyone feels comfortable.
When pairing by height, the general rule is to put the tallest bridesmaid with the tallest groomsman, and the shortest bridesmaid with the shortest groomsman. This creates a sense of balance and harmony in photos and during the processional and recessional. The shortest couple walks down the aisle first, with the tallest couple following behind.
It is worth noting that the maid of honour and best man are often exempt from this rule and should stand next to the bride and groom, regardless of their height.
While height is an important consideration, it is not the only factor. For example, if a bridesmaid and groomsman are dating or are close friends, it is customary to pair them together, regardless of their height. Similarly, if a bridesmaid has a preference to walk with a particular groomsman due to height differences, this can also be taken into account.
Ultimately, the decision of how to pair bridesmaids and groomsmen is a personal one, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, pairing by height can be a simple and effective way to create a visually appealing wedding party and ensure that everyone feels comfortable and confident.
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Pair by friendship or relationship
When pairing up bridesmaids and groomsmen, it is not necessary to have an equal number of attendants on both sides. If there are couples among the bridesmaids and groomsmen, it is customary to pair them together. This could be couples who are dating, engaged, or married. Similarly, friends can be paired together so they can hang out with each other.
If there are siblings among the bridesmaids and groomsmen, they can be paired together. For instance, the bride's brother and the groom's sister could walk together. This pairing strategy can also be applied to friends who have common interests or belong to the same group. For example, if there are bridesmaids and groomsmen who went to the same school, they can be paired together so they will have common things to talk about.
Another strategy is to pair them according to their personalities. For instance, an extroverted bridesmaid could be paired with an outgoing groomsman. The bridesmaid who loves to perform will have a good time with a groomsman who would love to share the stage with her. A charming lady is best paired with an equally charismatic groomsman.
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Pair by personality
When pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen by personality, the key is to think about who would get along well together. While it's not a romantic match, you're aiming to pair like-minded people for the day. For example, an extroverted bridesmaid could be paired with an outgoing groomsman, and they'll be happy to be in each other's company during the wedding.
If you have a groomsman who is super goofy, consider pairing him with a bridesmaid who will tolerate and perhaps even appreciate that sense of humour. You could also pair a shy bridesmaid with a groomsman who will make her feel more comfortable.
Another approach is to pair the bridesmaid and groomsman who have known the couple for the longest. This can be a nice way to honour those friendships during the wedding. Similarly, you could pair the maid of honour with the best man, and any bridesmaids or groomsmen who will be performing readings together.
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Pair by length of friendship or role
Pairing your bridesmaids and groomsmen by the length of friendship or their role in the wedding is a great way to organise your wedding party. This method can help to ensure that the older the relationship, the closest they are to you in the processional.
For example, you could pair the bridesmaid you've known the longest with the groomsman your partner has known the longest. This can be a nice way to honour those friendships that have been with you through thick and thin. It can also make your friends feel special and appreciated, knowing that you value their long-standing friendship.
Similarly, you can pair the maid of honour with the best man. As these two often have important roles in the wedding, it makes sense to pair them together. They may also be involved in wedding readings or other activities, so pairing them can make logistical sense.
If you have a large wedding party, you could also pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen who will be performing readings together. This can help to create a cohesive feel to the ceremony and create a sense of balance.
While pairing by length of friendship or role can be a thoughtful way to organise your wedding party, it's important to remember that it's not essential to pair up your bridesmaids and groomsmen at all. You could let them walk alone or simply pair them up randomly. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide what feels right for your wedding.
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Don't pair them at all
There are many ways to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen, but it is not necessary to pair them up at all. Here are some reasons why you may choose not to pair them up:
Firstly, it is not essential to have an equal number of bridesmaids and groomsmen. If the bride and groom have different numbers of attendants, it can be simpler to have them walk down the aisle solo. This avoids the need to pair up a bridesmaid with two groomsmen, or vice versa. It also means that you don't have to worry about matching up people of similar heights or personalities.
Secondly, it is the twenty-first century, and women are perfectly capable of walking by themselves. Having bridesmaids walk down the aisle solo can make for some great photos and means that you don't have to stress about the perfect pairings.
Thirdly, it can be fun to pair people by personality, but it is not a blind date. The bridesmaids and groomsmen will only be walking side-by-side for a short time, so it is not worth overthinking. If you are worried about people feeling awkward, you can always ask them if they have a preference, or pair up couples who are dating or married.
Finally, it can be traditional to pair the maid of honour and best man, but it is not necessary. If you have a large wedding party, it can be a great photo opportunity to have everyone walk down the aisle solo. Ultimately, it is up to the couple, and there is no need to pair up bridesmaids and groomsmen if you don't want to.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you can have as many bridesmaids and groomsmen as you like and they don't need to be paired up one-to-one.
There are several ways to pair up your bridesmaids and groomsmen. You can pair them by height, with the tallest bridesmaid walking with the tallest groomsman, or by the length of their friendship with the couple. You can also pair them by personality, matching like-minded people together.
Yes, it is customary to pair up couples who are dating, engaged, or married.
Yes, the maid of honour and the best man are usually paired together.
Don't worry too much about pairing up your bridesmaids and groomsmen if they don't know each other. They will only be walking together for a short time and it's not a big deal.