WEDDING CEREMONY - What is the proper processional order?

 

Wedding Ceremony - What is the proper processional order?

With many couples today getting married in non-traditional settings such as the beach, parks, wineries and such you still may ask “What is the proper processional order that it right for Our wedding?”Here are a few guidelines to make sure the grand entrance is done accurately to your religious traditions and beliefs.

 Catholic wedding processional:

The priest, groom, and best man enter through a side door and wait at the altar.
The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down in pairs, starting with the two who will stand farthest from the bride and groom, and ending with the best man and maid of honor.
The ring bearer and/or flower girl(s)
the bride and her father, or other close family member.

The bride walks on the left side. If the bride's escort is her father, he leads her to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat next to the bride's mother.

Jewish wedding processional:

The Rabbi and/or cantor
Grandparents of the bride, who are then seated in the first row
Grandparents of the groom, who are then seated in the first row
Groomsmen, walking in pairs
Best man
the groom, who is escorted by his parents.
Bridesmaids
Maid or Matron of Honor
Ring bearer and/or flower girl(s)
The bride, escorted by her parent’s


Protestant wedding:

The mothers of the bride and groom are seated after all guests are seated, and immediately before the start of the processional music. They are usually escorted to their seats by a brother of the bride or groom, or by another usher.
After they are seated, the officiant, groom and best man enter by a side door and wait at the altar.
Groomsmen may also enter by a side door, or can escort the bridesmaids.
Bridesmaids
Ring bearer and/or flower girl(s)
Maid or Matron of Honor
the bride, escorted by her father or other close male family member or friend.

At the front of the aisle, her escort can remain standing with her until the minister asks "Who gives this woman in marriage?" to which he responds "I do," or "Her mother and I do." However, some people feel this tradition is old fashioned and sexist, and choose to forgo it. In such a case, her escort walks with the bride to the front of the aisle, and then takes his seat in the front row.

Non-denominational ceremony, a secular ceremony, or a non-traditional ceremony: 

You can either borrow ideas from one of these traditions, or make up your own rules.
In all cases, the bride traditionally stands on the left, and the groom on the right.

* This dates back to medieval times when the groom might need to defend his bride in the middle of the ceremony, and wanted to leave his right hand, his sword hand, free. While few grooms even carry a sword anymore, the tradition has lasted.

It's a good idea to have either a wedding coordinator, or a friend with a written list helping to line up the bridal party and telling each person when to go.

They can stand just beyond where the guests can see them.

They should also remind each person to SMILE when they're walking down the aisle and make eye contact ahead (you don’t want your bridal party walking with their heads down looking at the aisle).

 

I often get asked what the appropriate age is for ring bearer & flower girls:

Here is the ideal breakdown:

Ring bearer age 4-8; is appropriate not to young and not to old and able to follow directions.

Flower girls ages 4-11; and also able to follow direction with ease. 

Ages younger than 4 tend to not follow directions (even thought you may practice and they did great at home in a mock ceremony).

Girls older than 11 should be consider a bridesmaid. Don’t try to make a relative happy by having their 2 year old in your wedding, tell them politely that you appreciate them offering little Johnny or little Susie to join in the festivies but that maybe when another family member gets married they will be old enough to participate.

Remember this is your wedding day and you may not even want children in attendance.

 

For more information, please contact Simply Events @ www.simplyeventsbayarea.com