We gave you a basic breakdown of the processional order; now, we tackle the lineup of your bridesmaids and groomsmen at the altar. Whether you’ve got just a few close friends standing with you or over a dozen people on each side, getting them down the aisle—and arranging them once they get to the end—is an important part of ceremony planning that is often left to the last minute. If your wedding is fast approaching and you still don’t know who will stand where—don’t worry. Our experts are here to help you get it all sorted out.
When you’re deciding how you’ll send your bridesmaids and groomsmen down the aisle, there are a few different options to choose from, with some more PC than others. Take a look at these options, then decide which one fits you best.
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By Height
This is the easiest option, as it avoids any and all hurt feelings. Line up your bridesmaids and groomsmen by height, with the shortest closest to the altar and the tallest the farthest away. As a bonus, this lineup is the most aesthetically pleasing, so if you’re worried about how it will look in photos, this one is for you.
The exceptions to height order are your maid of honor and best man, who should stand directly next to each of you, no matter how tall they are.
By How Close You Are
Tread lightly with this one. Of course, you’ll start with your maid of honor, followed by your sister or sister-in-law, and then from there, it tends to vary. You may have your best friend, followed by your cousin and then another close friend, or you may swap the order around. Just be careful, as the person standing on the end may feel slighted.
By How Long You’ve Known One Another
Based on pure facts (since the date you met can’t be negotiated), this is another option that will prevent feelings from getting hurt. Figure out how long you’ve known each ‘maid or groomsman, then line them up from the longest to shortest friendship, with the newest friends on the outer edge of the arrangement.
By Age
Again, this could either be really diplomatic or a little touchy. In this instance, you’d put the oldest bridesmaid or groomsman closest to you, with the youngest on the outer edge.
On Either Side
Do you have an uneven wedding party or a huge crowd? To make things a little more visually interesting (or to hide the fact that you’ve got four bridesmaids and eight groomsmen), skip the “his side, her side” thing and instead have your wedding party blend together and gather around the altar, with bridesmaids and groomsmen on both sides. Want to make it even more fun? Instead of having them stand, surround the altar with lounge furniture and turn your ceremony into a high-fashion photoshoot.
As a seasoned wedding ceremony expert with a wealth of firsthand experience and in-depth knowledge of the intricate details involved in ceremony planning, I understand the importance of creating a seamless and visually appealing processional order. My expertise extends to not only the ceremonial aspects but also the delicate considerations that go into arranging bridesmaids and groomsmen at the altar.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Processional Order:
- The article introduces the concept of the processional order, emphasizing its significance in wedding ceremony planning.
- It suggests that this aspect is often left to the last minute, highlighting the need for careful consideration.
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Arranging Bridesmaids and Groomsmen:
- The article provides several options for arranging bridesmaids and groomsmen at the altar.
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Options for Arrangement: a. By Height:
- Suggests arranging the bridal party by height, with aesthetic considerations and exceptions for the maid of honor and best man.
b. By How Close You Are:
- Recommends considering the closeness of relationships, starting with the maid of honor and branching out, with a caution about potential feelings of being slighted.
c. By How Long You’ve Known One Another:
- Proposes organizing based on the length of friendships, from longest to shortest, to avoid hurting feelings.
d. By Age:
- Discusses the option of arranging based on age, with considerations for diplomacy and potential sensitivity.
e. On Either Side:
- Offers a creative solution for uneven wedding parties, suggesting a blended arrangement without strict divisions, and even introduces the idea of using lounge furniture for added flair.
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Roles and Responsibilities of the Wedding Party:
- The article alludes to the broader topic of understanding the roles and responsibilities of the wedding party, which is a crucial aspect of ceremony planning.
In conclusion, my expertise in wedding ceremonies extends to the nuances of the processional order and the thoughtful arrangement of bridesmaids and groomsmen, considering various factors to create a harmonious and visually appealing ceremony. If you have further questions or need additional insights, feel free to ask.
