Pairing bridesmaids and groomsmen?

Your idea sounds great! Our bridal party walked down the aisle individually too just because we liked that look better. It’s also traditional for a Jewish processional... first grandparents of the bride and groom, then the groomsmen individually, then the groom, then bridesmaids individually, then the bride.


We did have them pair up for the recessional, but I definitely think it’d be fine to just have them walk next to each other. Or you could still have them walk individually for the recessional. Or you could have them pair up like... 2 groomsmen together, then 2 bridesmaids together, and so on!

You’re thinking way too much into it, imo. I also think this way of thinking is too old school. You happen to have an even party. Pair them! This is perfect! Who cares if someone is twice the other’s age. Who cares if they don’t really know each other. They are both there to support you and your spouse. 80% of my party has never met but that’s not stopping me from pairing them.

I do think you are slightly over thinking this, but I say it’s your day and do what you want! 😊 I am having the wedding party walk in pairs for 2 reasons, they are all family to us so they already know each other, and 2, we are wanting to do an evening wedding and be finishing up the ceremony as the sun sets so the quicker everyone walks down the aisle the better lol. Stick with what makes you happiest 💙

Welcome to the WeddingWire community, Abigail

There is no rule saying you have to do pairings. Whatever you feel makes most sense for your wedding party is best

I personally think you’re overthinking it. I think if someone thinks badly of a 12 year old being a little gentleman and walking a girl back up the aisle, they’ve got problems. Obviously it’s whatever you’re comfortable with! I just don’t think it’s a very big deal. We’ll likely have the groomsmen walk in with my FH, and the BM will walk down solo before me, and then have the GM escort them back up the aisle linking arms. I think it’s cute, and all of mine know it’s just for a couple minutes.

I don’t think it matters who walks with whom in a wedding. I’ve been in several weddings and never walked next to someone I was romantically involved with, and it was never weird or awkward. It really isn’t a big deal no matter the age or if anyone is in a relationship. But do whatever will make you happy. You can either have everyone walk single file or girls walking together and the guys walking together. It really isn’t a big deal and definitely isn’t something people will remember from your wedding.

I've been to a wedding where the groomsmen and the bridesmaids all walked in separate

I don't think it's weird at all. Pairing up seems awkward and unnecessary to me as well!

Yeah I agree with you, especially if I was the one getting paired with a 12 year old, I would feel awkward!

I think not pairing is different and a good idea but don’t be afraid to because they don’t know each other. My bridesmaids and groomsman didn’t really know each other, except my sister and her husband who was A groomsman for my husband. Ironically, they all became friends, one of my brides maids hung out with the groomsman and they took care of her and another bridesmaid ended up leaving with a groomsman lol. Never know what could come out of it but it forced everyone to get to know each other and everyone turned out to be really good friends who still talk months later! we plan to have family reunions in the future and we blended families so well. The awkwardness is sometimes rewarded. we were all strangers at one point lol peace and love!

As far as the 12 y/o. She can always come down herself. Its up to you! Wedding never have to be traditional!

The majority of weddings I attend, lots outside my family, groomsmen wait at the altar with groom, sometimes after a few have acted as ushers to seat VIP family. And only bride's attendants ( M or F BM, MOH) come down the aisle, usually solo. And at the recessional, sometime they are paired M F, sometimes 2 women , then 2 men, and some singles. Often WP parties have different numbers on brides side and groom's side. And some may be men on bride's side, or women on groom's side. So even with equal numbers 5 on groom side, 5 on bride's, you may have 7 women 3 men, or 2 women 8 men . So no pretense of pairing people off in any particular way. And some m/f pairs do interlock arms ( like if a real life couple) but many m/f, f/f, m/m pairings walk side by side, arms not touching. . . . Given how variable usual weddings are these days, take your pick. GM may process, but more often don't. And leaving, any kind of side by side pairing goes, not necessary to have mixed couples. You don't need any particular reason to choose, but I think with a wide disparity in age, or near strangers, it is more comfortable to have a random two by two if a large WP or 1 at a time for a very small one. Not attempting pairs . Now and then I have been in wedding parties where I really disliked some of the groom's or bride's friends. And preferred not being ever asked to pair off, with an arm in arm escort ( though side by side okay) and not paired off for any dance, and not seated with them instead of own SO at dinner. ( Head table okay only if WP and SO there.). It is miserable to be in date type proximity to someone you dislike. Or be stuck 1.5 hours of dinner conversation, with a guy you dislike on either side, while your SO or family is elsewhere.