I am trying to add validation to my form with jQuery Validation Plugin, but I'm having a problem where the plugin puts the error messages when I'm using input groups. $('form').validate({ rules: { firstname: { minlength: 3, maxlength: 15, required: true }, lastname: { minlength: 3, maxlength: 15, required: true } }, highlight: function(element) { $(element).closest('.form-group').addClass('has-err