REALLY Uneven Bridal Party

Uneven will be okay. I googled and found these

He's getting married in May. I think it's safe to assume he's asked.

Layla's point is valid though. One of the base issues really comes down to the observation of "Wait, why does she only have 2?"

@MMB and @Jay. I'm sorry you feel that I feel like my friends are objects. I assure you that's not the case. But I thank you for bringing up your feelings and letting me know how I rubbed you. It's critical for this forum discussion.

Background if it helps: per tradition I was told we should pick even numbers. She had two, and I was supposed to pick 2. But it's tough, because I've lead a very blessed life with people who mean a lot to me. I wanted to do them justice and extend them the honor of the role. So I said "nay" to tradition and chose to involve them. Because, ya know, they're my best friends and very much not "props", as you described my loved ones. That being said, it's our wedding and these photos are important to us. And it's important to me that it's not just 2 on one side a 6 on the other because, sure, weirdly I like things aesthetically balanced.

Plain and simple I'm looking for that person who dealt with this same issue and says "Oh, we [insert amazing idea here] and it was great!" I've contacted the photographer and she says it'll be fine. And I believe her. But I'm pumped and still looking into the solutions myself.

Brian, you're making a mountain out of a molehill. I promise, your guests won't care.

ETA: And let your photographer do her job. That's what you're paying her for.

Sounds like having them sit was the worst and cruelest idea I've ever had. Cutting my numbers might as well be murder. And everyone is in favor of either letting it go and just see what happens or splitting up the guys and putting some on her side.

What about having one of her girls (actually my sister) on my side, and I put our 3 most mutual guys on her side? So we each have one girl and a few guys?

Haha. I'm not cutting anyone out. Or asking anyone to sit. But I enjoy the openness for people to have ideas.

Have them walk down the aisle one at a time, rather than in pairs or groups.

Great idea Natalie! I like that more than the multiple guys / girl at a time! Thank you.

One at a time. Now that's earth shaking.

Brian I still have no idea why you are ignoring my suggestion and comment. Are you saying the bride and groom would be intimidated by their wedding party next to them in a picture?

ETA Also, are you not suggesting the same thing I did?

Have everyone walk separately. The guys can usher in your guests and go to the front guy the ceremony. The guru's can walk down the aisle.. then leaving they can all go separately. For the recruiting you can do then each separately. And for pictures just don't do couple-y photos.

My BP is uneven as well.. 6 girls and 3 guys. We aren't making the bridal party dance since that would be awkward.. just skip stuff like that.

If you want equal people aesthetically during the ceremony, I love your idea of putting your sister standing by you and some men standing by your FW. You can have two men walk with each woman, then the last two men walk out next to each other. Or just do pairs and forget about male/female - the men don't have to link arms or anything (unless a bit of silliness about having more men than women up front would fit your style?).

I also just hate the idea of "sides" - you're getting married so there's no more his and hers!

Hi herecomestheclarks. I'm sorry you felt ignored. That wasn't my intention. There was a lot of responses in a short period of time and it slipped though the cracks. Your feelings are important to me and I want to make sure I take the time to respond to you as you're entitled to. I imagine it was tough for you to read me saying thank you to others and their contributions, only to feel overlooked for your own. I empathize with you want you to know your opinions and comments are valid, and valued.

You said "Also, are you saying the bride and groom would be intimidated by their wedding party next to them in a picture?"

No. I was saying some of the pictures with a bride's maid surrounded by 2 (let alone 3) groomsmen made me personally feel like they looked a little...encroached upon? Intimidated, maybe? It's a personal opinion and fear I have which may not be valid in my own future experiences with our photographs. But I imagine it'll be how some of our photos end up. Or we may just have everyone scattered. Or instead of little groups in photos we'll trend towards one larger group. It seems as though I'll just leave it to our whims of the moment and lean on the experience of our photographer.

-Brian

I'm having 3 bridesmaids and my FH is having 6 groomsmen. We're still in the process of figuring out details, but one of the suggestions we got was t o have the groomsmen come in along the side with the groom and officiant, then 3 of them come back up the aisle to meet the bridesmaids and walk them down. Another idea was to have two groomsmen escorting each bridesmaid (which might be fine, considering my mom wants to walk me down the aisle with my dad).

The wedding party would probably all stand on their respective sides during the ceremony.

For pictures, I'm sure my photographer would know how to position everybody. I don't know how that would work, but I'm not too worried. Maybe she'll have the groomsmen mixed in with the bridesmaids, or have two rows of groomsmen (3 and 3).

I would have 3 guys and 1 girl on each side. 1/2 can be in front to one of the sides for pictures. Hope that makes sense.

When walking down the aisle each person walks alone.

Oops just realized you technically have 7. So you'll have to have one more on one side.

Brian buddy, you're at like an 8 and it'd be swell if you were at a 2. Everybody is giving you great advice. The "aesthetic" of the pictures shouldn't matter if you're having your closest friends stand beside you?

I honestly can't figure out OP.......

Thank you!! I appreciate the shared experiences and input. I got another meeting with our photographer and she'll show us what she's done in the past for pictures. And I think we'll do everyone walks one at a time instead of groups. I think I'm leaning towards moving some of the groomsmen over to the opposite side of the ceremony since, you're right, we're all one big happy family now and we shouldn't have sides. I'm all for breaking that tradition. I'll of course run it by my fiancee first. And for pictures, I'll just relax and leave that up to my photographer. Hired her because we like and trust her. Thanks again for the helpful and insightful input.

-Brian