Uneven Number in Party

Rachelariana

Due to an surprise deployment of one of our groomsmen, we know have one more bridesmaid than we do a groomsmen. I wasn't too worried about it originally. I figured we'd have the guys waiting up front and the girls walk in alone. Then, upon exiting the final GM would escort two BMs out. However, (future) MIL keeps saying how "weird" and "disorganized" it will look during the ceremony and I'm starting to second guess.... Has anyone seen this pulled off successfully? FI does not have anyone else he really wants up there (which is fine, I don't want him asking someone out of obligation) so I'm not really sure how to go about this.

Lauderdale Pink

I see uneven numbers more often than not.  It looks just fine and nobody really cares.  All eyes are on the bride as you walk down the aisle, so bridal party is not the focus.  As for the recessional, once the happy couple walk back down the aisle, the last thing anybody is going to do is count party members. There are lots of things to cause stress during wedding planning, IMO, this just ain't one of them.

AddieCake

It will not look weird or unorganized. Your FMIL needs a margarita.

Maggie0829

AddieCake said:

It will not look weird or unorganized. Your FMIL needs a margarita.

This.

People need to remember that wedding parties are about including your nearest and dearest, NOT including your nearest and dearest as long as that number is even.

lbuet348

I was in an uneven wedding party and we all walked alone. No big deal.

tammym1001

I had 4 girls and DH had one guy. DH and his BM stood up front and my girls processed in alone. On the way back out BM and MOH walked out together and the other girls walked out alone. I can almost guarantee that nobody at my wedding knew that though because they were too busy watching DH and I exit. It will be just fine to have uneven numbers.

vk2204

I had more girls than guys in my wedding. It was fine, no one thought twice about it. Do not ask someone else to fill a spot or to try and make it seem more organized.

manateehugger

It will not look weird at all. Anyone who gasps because a guy escorts two ladies is absolutely ridiculous. You can also just do single file alternating BM with GM. 

Jen4948

There is nothing "weird" or "disorganized" about uneven wedding parties. Tell your FMIL that what would be "weird" or "disorganized" and definitely not "acceptable" is to either ask wedding party members to step down or to ask anyone later whom you're not close to to be in the wedding party just so that sides are even. Sides do not need to be "paired off."

phira

Ignore your future mother-in-law.

Rachelariana

Thanks everyone! I wasn't planning on having anyone step down that would be insane (though she did suggest I have one of the girls "man the guest book" -insert eye roll here-). Just looking for some tips and a little reassurance that it would go smoothly -- which you all provided!

Rachelariana

AddieCake said:

It will not look weird or unorganized. Your FMIL needs a margarita.

Like you wouldn't believe. I love her, she and I generally get along well, but she is driving me crazy with this wedding.

climbingsingle

I see uneven wedding parties all the time. 

Ktedford7

I was recently in an uneven bridal party! Myself and another bridesmaid had a groomsman walk us both back down the aisle once the wedding was over - we called it the loop & swoop move.. not wierd at all Also, if you're worried about the bridal party dancing at the reception (if you're doing that) the bride asked that I ask my fiance to step in and dance with me because of the uneven numbers. So if one of the ladies has a bf/fiance you could also do that.

mysticl

I had two bridesmaids and a maid of honor.  DH had a best man.  It worked out fine.