Bridesmaids' Placement: Where Should They Stand During The Ceremony?

Bridesmaids and groomsmen traditionally stand on either side of the couple during the wedding ceremony. However, this is not mandatory, and couples can choose to have their wedding party seated instead. In a Catholic ceremony, for example, the bridal party may remain seated, while in a Jewish ceremony, the wedding party stands or sits under the chuppah. If the bridal party is seated, they can still participate in the processional and recessional, walking down the aisle with the couple and exiting after the ceremony.

Bridesmaids sitting or standing

Bridesmaids and groomsmen traditionally stand on either side of the couple during the wedding ceremony, but this is not mandatory. Couples may ask their bridal party to remain seated if they wish.

Pros and Cons of Seating the Bridal Party

If you're nervous about fidgeting bridal party members, asking them to remain seated will ensure you avoid the problem entirely. Seated bridal party members will also be able to see both the bride and groom as they recite their vows, whereas standing they may have a worse view.

On the other hand, if you want your bridal party to be seen in the ceremony photos, or you want to be surrounded by loved ones as you are officially married, then you may want to ask them to stand.

Logistics of Seating the Bridal Party

If you do choose to have your bridal party sit for the ceremony, you can still ask them to walk down the aisle with you. They can then sit in the first or second row, depending on whether there are other guests, such as parents or grandparents, who will also be seated in the front rows. It is a good idea to reserve seats for them.

At the end of the ceremony, the bridal party can stand and rejoin the recessional.

Where should they sit?

If you decide to have your bridesmaids sit during the ceremony, it is a good idea to reserve seats for them in the front row. This ensures a smooth transition when they sit down, and means they will be close by if you need them to hold your bouquet or adjust your dress or train. However, be careful not to block sightlines for parents and grandparents. You could consider reserving the first two rows for the bridesmaids and immediate family, or using low stools at the front to avoid this issue.

If you are having a religious ceremony, it is common for the bridal party to sit. For example, couples having a full Catholic mass will usually ask their bridal party to remain seated. In a Jewish ceremony, the wedding party may stand to the sides of the chuppah (groomsmen on the left, bridesmaids on the right) or be seated in the first row.

If you are having a large number of bridesmaids, you may want to split them across the first few rows. You could also consider having just the maid of honour stand with you, and seating the rest of the bridesmaids.

If you do choose to have your bridesmaids sit, they should still walk down the aisle with you as part of the processional. It is important to have a rehearsal so that everyone knows when to sit and stand, and how to move between the two.

Who holds the bride's bouquet?

While the bridal party is traditionally expected to stand beside the couple at the altar, this is not mandatory. Couples may choose to have their bridal party seated during the ceremony, especially if it is a full Catholic mass. In this case, the maid of honour or another bridesmaid may hold the bride's bouquet.

If the bridal party is seated, it is common to reserve seats for them in the first or second row. They will still walk down the aisle during the processional, and stand again for the recessional.

If the bridal party does stand, the maid of honour or matron of honour will usually stand closest to the bride, followed by the remaining bridesmaids. The maid of honour may also hold the bride's bouquet during the ceremony, especially if she is standing.

Lining up the bridal party

The bridal party traditionally lines up at the altar, with the bridesmaids and other bridal attendants behind the bride on her left, and the groomsmen and groom's attendants on the right. However, this is not set in stone, and some couples choose to flip this arrangement so that the bride's side stands behind the groom and vice versa.

The order in which the bridal party lines up is also flexible. The maid of honour and best man usually stand closest to the couple, but beyond that, the order is up to you. Here are some options for how to line up your bridal party:

• Height: Line up your bridesmaids and groomsmen from shortest to tallest (or the other way around).
• Relationship to the couple: Start with siblings, followed by cousins, best friends, etc.
• Length of relationship: Order your bridal party by how long they've known you, with the newest friends on the outer edge of the lineup.
• Attire colour: If your bridal party is wearing mismatched attire, arrange them in a way that makes sense based on the colour or prints of their outfits.
• Age: Arrange your bridal party from oldest to youngest.

However, if you don't want your bridal party to stand during the ceremony, that's fine too! It's your wedding, so you can do things your own way. You might want to reserve seats for them in the front rows, and they can still walk down the aisle during the processional.

Walking down the aisle

Order of the Processional

The order in which the bridal party walks down the aisle can vary depending on cultural and personal preferences. Here is a traditional order that can be followed or adapted:

• Officiant: The officiant is usually the first to walk down the aisle and takes their place at the altar.
• Groom and Best Man: The groom is often accompanied by the best man, who stands on the right side of the groom during the ceremony.
• Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: They walk down the aisle in pairs, with the groomsman on the right and the bridesmaid on the left. They take their places at the altar, typically standing on either side of the bride and groom.
• Maid of Honor: The maid of honor walks after the bridesmaids and groomsmen. She stands next to the bride and may hold her bouquet during the ceremony.
• Flower Girl and Ring Bearer: These young attendants can walk together or separately. Traditionally, the ring bearer carries the wedding rings (or faux rings), and the flower girl scatters petals. They may then be seated with their parents.
• Bride and Escort: The bride is traditionally escorted by her father, who walks on her right side. The father may lift her veil, give her a kiss, and then take his seat next to the bride's mother.

Seating Arrangements for the Bridal Party

While it is traditional for the bridal party to stand at the altar during the ceremony, this is not mandatory. Couples may choose to have their bridal party seated, especially if they prefer a more intimate setting with just the couple standing. Here are some considerations for seating arrangements:

• Assigned Seating: Reserve seats for the bridal party in the front rows to ensure a smooth transition between standing and seating. This can also eliminate any confusion or disorder during the ceremony.
• Consideration for Parents: Take into account the seating preferences of the couple's parents or grandparents, as they may wish to have unobstructed sightlines during the ceremony.
• Rehearsal and Timing: Practice the timing of when the bridal party sits and stands to ensure a coordinated and smooth flow. A rehearsal can help everyone familiarise themselves with the cues and movements.

Other Considerations

• Bouquet and Dress: The maid of honor can assist the bride by holding her bouquet during certain parts of the ceremony and helping to adjust her dress and veil.
• Personalisation: Feel free to personalise the processional order to make it meaningful to you. There are no hard and fast rules, and you can arrange the bridal party by height, relationship to the couple, duration of friendship, or even alphabetically.
• Non-Traditional Options: If you prefer a non-traditional approach, consider having the bridal party walk down the aisle and then take their seats. Alternatively, skip the walk down the aisle entirely and enter the ceremony space from the side or backdoor once the ceremony begins.

Frequently asked questions