Junior Rasmussen
There are several ways to line up bridesmaids, and the order is ultimately up to the couple. The most common way is to have the Maid of Honour stand beside the bride, with the bridesmaids lined up behind. From here, the bridesmaids can be ordered based on height, with the shortest closest to the altar and the tallest farthest away. This is considered the most aesthetically pleasing and avoids hurt feelings. Alternatively, the bridesmaids can be ordered based on their relationship to the bride, with sisters, sister-in-laws, cousins, and best friends grouped accordingly. Ordering by the length of the relationship, from longest to shortest, is another option that is less likely to cause hurt feelings. The bridesmaids can also be arranged based on their attire colour, creating an ombre effect or a pattern that complements the wedding aesthetic. Finally, ordering by age, with the oldest closest to the couple and the youngest on the outer edge, is another viable option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of bridesmaids | No prescribed amount |
| Order | The order is up to the couple |
| Location | Bridesmaids usually line up behind the bride on the left |
| Priority | The spot closest to the couple is considered a place of honour |
| Lineup options | Height, relationship to the couple, length of relationship, attire colour, age, alphabetical order, distance travelled |
What You'll Learn
Height
One of the trickiest parts of planning a wedding ceremony is figuring out the order of the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The more bridesmaids or groomsmen there are, the more complicated it is for the couple to break the news to their friends and family without hurting anyone's feelings.
One way to arrange the wedding party is by height, which is considered the most foolproof way to organise the lineup. The height order can be determined by working off the height of the maid of honour, going from shortest to tallest or tallest to shortest. The exceptions to this height order are the maid of honour and best man, who should stand directly next to the couple, regardless of their height.
The height order can also be applied when pairing up bridesmaids and groomsmen for the processional and recessional, reception entrance, and wedding photos. The tallest bridesmaid can be paired with the tallest groomsman, and the shortest couple walks down the aisle first, with the tallest twosome going last. This pairing works aesthetically, making the photos look balanced.
If the height order is not followed, it can be tricky to arrange the bridesmaids in a way that makes sense aesthetically. For example, if the tallest bridesmaid is placed next to the bride, the bride may look shorter in comparison. However, if the bridesmaids are arranged in descending height order, it will look best for pictures.
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Length of relationship
When it comes to lining up your bridesmaids, there are many ways to do it without hurting anyone's feelings. One way to do this is to arrange them based on the length of your friendship, from the longest to the shortest. This is a good option because the number is arbitrary, and you met your bridesmaids at different stages of your life.
Another way to do this is to first place your maid of honour beside you, and then arrange the rest of your bridesmaids based on the length of your friendship. You can start with your sisters, then your sister-in-law, cousins, and best friends. If you are not very close with your sisters or sister-in-law, you can have them round out the end and keep your best friends closer to you.
You can also pair your bridesmaids with groomsmen based on the length of your friendship with them. The bridesmaid you've known the longest can be paired with the groomsman your partner has known the longest. The older the relationship, the closer they should be to you in the processional.
Finally, you can also line up your bridesmaids by age, with the oldest closest to you and the youngest on the outer edge of the lineup. This is another option based on facts that cannot be negotiated, so it will prevent feelings from getting hurt.
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Dress colour
Choosing the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses is a fun but challenging task. Here are some tips to help you decide:
Season and Venue
Consider the season and your wedding venue when choosing the colour of your bridesmaids' dresses. Dark colours in heavier fabrics such as velvet and crepe are more suitable for autumn and winter weddings, while pastel chiffon dresses are ideal for spring and summer celebrations. A rustic outdoor wedding might call for light blue dresses, while a formal indoor affair may warrant elegant, floor-length gowns.
Skin Tone
Be mindful of the dress colour and your bridesmaids' skin tones. Avoid colours that will wash out certain skin tones or make them look too flushed. Warm neutrals like gold and taupe are flattering for a range of skin tones.
Wedding Theme and Style
The colour of the bridesmaids' dresses should complement your wedding theme and style. If you have a particular colour that runs through the flowers, invitations, and decorations, having the bridesmaids in this colour looks lovely. You can also choose colours that are in season during your wedding. For example, reds, golds, emerald greens, and royal blues are perfect for a winter wedding, while pastel palettes and yellows suit a spring wedding.
Bride's Wedding Dress
The colour of the bridesmaids' dresses should also take into account the colour of the bride's wedding gown. You don't want the colours to clash when the bride is standing next to her bridesmaids.
Mix and Match
You don't have to choose just one colour for your bridesmaids. The mix-and-match trend is becoming popular, where each bridesmaid wears a different shade or style of dress, creating a cohesive yet diverse look. This also allows each bridesmaid to choose a style that flatters their figure and makes them feel comfortable and confident.
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Role in ceremony
Bridesmaids can be lined up in several ways, depending on the couple's preferences and the number of bridesmaids. Here are some options for arranging them based on their role in the ceremony:
Readings or Special Performances:
If some of your bridesmaids are delivering readings or performing during the ceremony, it might be a good idea to have them stand at the end of the line. This makes it easier for them to quickly access a microphone or move to the appropriate position for their performance without causing disruption.
Maid of Honour:
The Maid of Honour typically stands beside the bride, regardless of her height. She is considered to be in a place of honour and is often the bride's closest friend or family member.
Family Members:
If the bride has family members as bridesmaids, they can be grouped separately from friends. You can start with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and so on. Alternatively, if you're not extremely close with your sisters or sisters-in-law, you can have them round out the end of the line while keeping your closest friends closer to you.
Length of Relationship:
Arrange your bridesmaids based on the length of your friendship, from the longest to the shortest. Since the date you met someone can't be negotiated, this is a good way to avoid hurt feelings and ensure everyone feels valued.
Age or Birth Year:
You can arrange your bridesmaids from oldest to youngest, with the oldest closest to the couple and the youngest on the outer edge. This is another way to arrange them that doesn't carry the risk of hurting anyone's feelings.
Remember, the most important thing is to ensure your bridesmaids know that their position in the line-up doesn't indicate their level of importance to you. It's also worth noting that there are no hard and fast rules, and you can always mix things up to suit your preferences and the dynamics of your bridal party.
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Age
There are many ways to order bridesmaids, and it is ultimately up to the couple. Ordering bridesmaids by age is a good option as it is unlikely to cause hurt feelings. The oldest bridesmaid would stand closest to the couple, and the youngest furthest away. This is a good option if the bridesmaids are of varying ages, and it can be a nice way to honour the older members of the bridal party.
However, if all the bridesmaids are a similar age, or are close friends, then ordering by age may not be the best option. In this case, it might be better to order the bridesmaids by height, or by how long the bride has known each bridesmaid. Ordering by height is a very popular option, as it is completely arbitrary and creates an aesthetically pleasing look. Ordering by length of friendship is also a good way to avoid hurt feelings, as it is based on facts.
If the bridesmaids are a mix of family members and friends, then it might be a good idea to group the bridesmaids by their relationship to the bride. This could mean starting with sisters, then sisters-in-law, cousins, and then best friends. However, if the bride is not especially close with her sisters, she might prefer to keep her best friends closer to her in the lineup.
Ultimately, the order of the bridesmaids is up to the couple, and there are no hard and fast rules.
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Frequently asked questions
The order of the bridesmaids is typically decided by the couple, and there are several ways to arrange them. Some common methods include ordering by height, relationship to the couple, length of the relationship, age, and attire colour.
The Maid of Honour typically stands beside the bride, regardless of height or other ordering factors.
The order of the bridesmaids can be important to some people, as it may signify closeness to the couple or be a way to honour certain individuals. However, others may not attach any significance to the order. Ultimately, the decision is up to the couple.
To avoid hurting feelings, some unbiased ordering methods can be used, such as arranging by height, length of the relationship, or age. Making it clear that the order has no meaning and that everyone is equally important to the couple can also help.
Yes, ordering bridesmaids by their role in the ceremony, such as those delivering readings, can be a practical way to arrange them. This makes it easier for them to move to the microphone or other designated areas.
