Should our bridal party be an even number?

Is it better to have even numbers for our photographs?

Question Asked: 7/05/2019

Wedding Date: 9/08/2018

Most Helpful Response

She Said YES Wedding Film & Photography

(12) · Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast, servicing all of South East Queensland.

Posted: 26/06/2026

Honestly, no, your bridal party does not need to be an even number, and it makes almost no difference to your photos on the day. We shoot plenty of weddings with four bridesmaids and two groomsmen, or three on one side and one on the other, and you would never pick it in the final gallery. The reason it works is we rarely line everyone up two by two anyway. That stiff symmetrical row is the look that actually shows an odd number out. Instead we stagger people on different levels, use a doorway or staircase, group folks in natural little clusters, or have everyone walking and talking together. An uneven number quite often gives us something more relaxed and candid to play with, so it can genuinely be a plus rather than a problem. The one thing that helps us is a quick heads up before the day on exactly who is in the party and the numbers, so we can plan a couple of setups that suit your group and your venue. Because we edit every image in house ourselves, we also keep an eye on balance through the whole gallery, not just one or two posed shots. So my advice is to choose the people you actually want standing next to you, the ones you will love seeing on your wall for the next forty years. Pick them for who they are, not to even up a line, and leave the framing to us.

Answered by: 22 Experts

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McBride Studio

(9) · WorldWide

Posted: 24/08/2022

This doesnt matter, bridal parties always look good.

Jodie Pope Photography

(4) · Adelaide

Posted: 27/04/2022

Some of the best wedding bridal parties I have shot have been the people in them, moreso than the numbers. I've snapped successful photos of very large bridal parties, and also very small, we can work with it and the symmetry. Best to have the peple you want by your side rather than than the numbers and symmetry! Also, you can choose to have groomsladies and bridesmen if that is your gig! Whatever rocks it for you, truly.

Dreams Photography

(14) · Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle

Posted: 25/01/2022

That's actually probably one of the best questions I have read. Aesthetically yes it looks good to have an even number that way the bride and groom can be Balanced however there are always ways of getting around this for example having the maid of honour on one side and then the bridesmaids on the other. There are always ways

Serenity Photography

(6) · Australia wide

Posted: 9/05/2021

Choose quality over quantity.  It is so much better to have an uneven number in your bridal party than add people you don't want by your side, just so it is even.

Allie Claire Creative

(19) · Based in Melbourne - available worldwide

Posted: 19/09/2020

Hey there! Your wedding party should be chosen on their merrit and love for the two of you... Don't stress about the numbers being odd or even!  Your photos will be way nicer if the people you choose are 100% invested in the experience and are focused on making your special day as fun as possible. Gone are the days where stuffy formal photos are a thing anyway... Don't get me wrong - you want a beautiful representation of your day and bridal party, but that doesn't rely on things being perfectly in line and symmetrical... We have plenty of tricks up our sleaves to make it look good! Hope this helps, Allie x

Trish Woodford Photography

(31) · Perth, Fremantle, Swan Valley & Surrounding Areas

Posted: 30/04/2020

Gone are the days of having to do things a certain way. Bridal parties can absolutely have uneven numbers and can also include ‘grooms ladies’, and ‘brides mates’. At the end of the day have the people you love most surrounding you on your wedding day!

Grant Hoskinson Photography

(7) · Sydney / Australia / Worldwide

Posted: 26/08/2019

Not at all. Some of the worst wedding photos i feel are shots of a bridal party all lined up, girls on one side and boys on the other. All very rigid and extremely posed. A more random mix of people makes for much more natural looking bridal party photos.

Dark Room Diva Photography

(5) · Adelaide, Adeliade Hills, Barossa Valley and Surrounds

Posted: 23/08/2019

You should have who you want to be beside you on the day. Your photographer will work around the numbers. It's more important you have just those you want near you, and not have extras just to make numbers even, or exclude those you want  for symmetry.

Danielle Leigh Photography

(10) · Brisbane, Gold Coast, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, North Coast

Posted: 11/06/2019

If you are worried about even numbers in your photos yes but otherwise no.  It it doesn’t matter to anyone other than yourself as to how many bridal party members you have. Remember do what makes you happy as it is your special day

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