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Aisle Style
Q: We have four groomsmen, four bridesmaids, a junior bridesmaid and a flower girl. This is bigger than originally anticipated. The groom has become close with another guy and wants to put him in the wedding party. I don’t have another girl I would like in the wedding party. Would it be acceptable to have him go down the aisle with the junior bridesmaid? I was going to have her and the flower girl go down together, but the flower girl could go down alone. Or what about the three of them?
A: It’s not uncommon to have an unequal number of bridesmaids to groomsmen: it simply means you have more options when it comes to the processional and the recessional! I wouldn’t recommend sending the extra groomsman down the aisle with the junior bridesmaid simply because traditionally, the groomsmen only pair up with the bridesmaids for the recessional. I would have the groomsmen lead the processional either two by two or single file. Then have the junior bridesmaid come next, followed by the bridesmaids (in pairs or singly) and then the maid of honour. Last comes the flower girl (and/or ring bearer) and your glowing self! For the recessional, if the junior bridesmaid is comfortable walking out with one of the groomsmen, then walking out in pairs is fine. The junior bridesmaid does not need to take the groomsman’s arm, and if you like, none of the bridesmaids need to take any of the groomsmen’s arms (but choose one or the other so it looks uniform). If you would prefer not to have them in couples, then your best bet is probably to mimic the processional. If you’re still having trouble finding an arrangement you like, I suggest consulting a wedding etiquette book such as those by Emily or Peggy Post.
Tags: bridesmaid, ceremony, etiquette, groomsmen, wedding party
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