Groomsmen Galore: Handling The Imbalance With Style And Grace

Having an uneven bridal party is a common concern for many couples, but it doesn't have to be a stressful one. While tradition may dictate that the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen should match, modern weddings are moving away from this idea, and there are plenty of creative solutions to embrace an uneven bridal party. From having groomsmen walk down the aisle with two bridesmaids (or vice versa) to letting the wedding party walk down the aisle individually, there are numerous ways to make it work. Couples can also get creative with spacing and posing for photographs to ensure a balanced and cohesive aesthetic. Ultimately, the most important thing is to surround yourself with the people you love and who support your union, and not to feel pressured to add or subtract people just for the sake of even numbers.

It's not a big deal

• Modern weddings are subverting traditional expectations, and today's couples are increasingly incorporating wedding party members of different genders or choosing to forgo a wedding party altogether.
• It's not feasible for some couples to have a one-to-one match for each member of the wedding party. It's not reasonable to expect a couple to have an equal number of close friends or siblings.
• You can get creative with the processional, recessional, photographs, and other aspects of the celebration. For example, you can have each groomsman walk with two bridesmaids or vice versa, or have the wedding party walk down the aisle individually.
• A good photographer can make any photo shine and there are many ways to pose an uneven bridal party to make it less noticeable, such as forming a semi-circle around the couple or blending them together in couples or groups.
• You can also get creative with spacing. For example, during the ceremony, have the side with fewer attendants spread out, creating extra space between each person, while the side with more attendants stands closer together. This will make each side appear to be a similar length.
• Ultimately, what's most important is having those who you feel closest to by your side on your big day. If that means having an uneven bridal party, then so be it!

Get creative with spacing

If you want to keep the traditional "girls-on-bride's-side, boys-on-groom's-side" lineup, spacing can be used strategically to create the illusion of even numbers. During the ceremony, try having the side with fewer attendants spread out, leaving extra space between each person, while the side with more attendants stands closer together. This will make each side appear to be a similar length.

You can also mix up the bridesmaids and groomsmen on both sides, which can create symmetry and make any differences in numbers less noticeable. This works best if the total number of attendants is even (for example, seven bridesmaids and three groomsmen).

For photos, you can use the "windows" strategy, creating two lines and spacing each person so that they are all visible in their own "window" by the camera. This classic trick works well for uneven wedding parties as it ensures everyone is visible and creates a sense of balance in the image.

If you want to get creative, you can also work with your photographer to mix up the group, getting fun and innovative pictures of the bridal party interacting with one another and with the happy couple.

Have them walk down the aisle in a way that disguises lopsided numbers

Having an uneven bridal party is not uncommon, and there are many ways to disguise the difference in numbers during the wedding ceremony. Here are some suggestions for having the wedding party walk down the aisle when there are more groomsmen than bridesmaids:

• Each groomsman can walk with two bridesmaids. This can be adjusted based on the specific numbers in the wedding party.
• If there is only one extra groomsman, they can walk with the couple's dog.
• If the difference in numbers is more pronounced, the groomsmen and bridesmaids can enter separately, with the groomsmen entering from the side and the bridesmaids walking down the aisle.
• Each member of the bridal party can walk down the aisle individually, at a quicker pace.
• The bridal party can walk in on their own without pairs, so the difference in numbers is less apparent.
• The unpaired groomsman can walk down the aisle on their own.
• The groomsmen and bridesmaids can be interspersed during the processional and recessional and stand behind the couple at the altar.
• The groomsmen can enter and stand together at the front, while the bridesmaids walk in and stand or sit beside them.

Have them stand in a semi-circle around the couple

Having an uneven bridal party is very common and there are many ways to get creative with the wedding ceremony processional and recessional, photographs, and other aspects of the celebration. If you are worried about how an uneven bridal party will look in photos, there are several solutions. One option is to have the wedding party form a semi-circle around the couple. This formation can help to conceal any differences in the number of attendants on each side and create a beautiful, unified look.

For the semi-circle formation, the wedding party will stand in an arc shape around the couple, with the best man and maid/matron of honour closest to the couple. This arrangement can be especially effective if the bridal party is mixed, with bridesmaids and groomsmen standing together rather than on separate sides. This approach can add a modern and unique touch to your wedding and also symbolises the blending of two families.

To further enhance the visual appeal of the semi-circle formation, consider instructing the wedding party to stagger their positions slightly, creating a sense of depth and movement in the photos. Additionally, you can play with spacing and positioning to achieve the desired effect. For example, if the difference in numbers is minor, you can intersperse the groomsmen and bridesmaids to create a more balanced look. On the other hand, if the difference is more significant, you may choose to group the attendants by gender, creating two semi-circles, one on each side of the couple.

The semi-circle formation is a versatile option that can be adapted to suit the specific dynamics and preferences of your bridal party. It allows for flexibility in positioning and can be easily customised to create a range of looks, from traditional to contemporary. Remember, your wedding is a celebration of your love and should reflect your unique personalities. So, feel free to get creative, embrace the uneven bridal party, and make your special day truly yours!

Mix up the sides

Having an uneven bridal party is becoming more and more common, so you certainly shouldn't feel pressured to add or subtract people just to make the numbers match. If you're worried about how this will look, there are a few tricks you can use to mix up the sides and achieve a balanced look.

Firstly, consider having the wedding party walk down the aisle in a way that disguises the uneven numbers. If the difference is only one or two attendants, you can pair them up, with one groomsman walking with two bridesmaids, or vice versa. If there is a larger disparity, you could have each attendant walk down the aisle individually, or have them walk in smaller groups of three. If the groomsmen feel awkward walking alone, they can walk at a slightly faster pace to reduce the space between each person.

Another option is to have the bridal party enter separately, with the groomsmen entering from the side and the bridesmaids walking down the aisle. Alternatively, you could have the groomsmen already standing at the altar with the groom, and send the bridesmaids down the aisle in single file.

When it comes to standing at the altar, you could stick with the traditional lineup of "girls-on-bride's-side, boys-on-groom's-side", and let the numbers be uneven. With clever spacing, it might not be very noticeable. Alternatively, you could have the wedding party stand in a semi-circle around you, mixing up the sides and surrounding you with a blended group of support. If the numbers are very uneven, you could also have the best man and maid/matron of honour stand beside you, while the rest of the wedding party takes a seat in the front row.

For photos, instead of the traditional lineup with bridesmaids on one side and groomsmen on the other, you can intersperse everyone around the couple, reflecting how you all spend time together. You could also try a staggered photo with the smaller group sitting in the front and the larger group standing behind, or a photo in motion, with the group walking towards the photographer, creating a fun, candid shot with less focus on position.

Frequently asked questions