Co Down dancer’s unusual bridesmaid decision goes viral

Kathryn Stewart and Jack McGowan's wedding guests certainly turned some heads when they had 95 bridesmaids in their wedding party and just eight groomsmen! The reason? The Highland Dance teacher simply couldn't choose!

Everyone who's planning their wedding wants to make it personal and special, but it doesn't get more unique than having 95 bridesmaids (aged from six to 40).

As there were about 250 guests at Kathryn and Jack's wedding, that means that 38% of the folks in attendance were wearing bridesmaid dresses!

Kathryn, from Hillsborough, in Co Down, is a former Ulster champion of Highland Dance and now leads the Kathryn Stewart Highland Dance Display Team.

Initially, when planning the wedding, Kathryn and Jack had decided on two of three bridesmaids. On average in Ireland, brides would have two to four bridesmaids. For Stewart, that number just didn't sit well. 

Speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, the couple explained that as soon as they got engaged the number of bridesmaids at their wedding was a debate.

Kathryn said, "I was thinking and thinking about how it was going to work and I thought in my head, what's the biggest number of bridesmaids I could have?"

She said the figure went from seven or eight and eventually landed at 95.

The joyous wedding took place at the Larchfield Estate, near Annahilt, Co Down. Her dance troupe even organized a performance for their teacher.

On social media, while on her honeymoon, Kathryn posted about her gratitude to the group. 

Jack said he was "weirdly not shocked" by the number of bridesmaids, 

The bride said, "All my dancers and my friends that have been in my life for a long time, they're still very much a massive part of my life.

"It was just a very, very easy decision in the end."

Once Kathryn chose a color scheme, her troupe of bridesmaids chose their own dresses. Being part of an organized team really helped on the day as they "know how to get in formation... very quickly."

Kathryn said, "They had it all organised before I got there, so I didn't have to do very much.

"I definitely made the right decision," she said.

"It was really good when we were getting the photos, the older girls organised the younger ones and they were all standing perfectly arranged ready for me to bounce into the middle."

The couple beamed about how the day went. 

Jack said "It was absolutely brilliant.

"It was better than we ever imagined; there was dancing and piping all day long."