Understanding Your Wedding Processional Order
Planning for your wedding day means learning a lot about traditions and practices you may never have known before. One common question we get is what the proper processional order is for the ceremony. Let us start by saying, this can be impacted by several things like your religious affiliations and venue. It is best to talk with your venue or officiant prior to your wedding day.
Are you having a traditional or religious ceremony? If you are, each religion typically has its own unique guidelines. Plan on discussing this beforehand with your officiant to learn what your specific religious tradition is. Your officiant will be the expert on this, and they’ll also be able to help you customize it where you are able to.
For a Traditional (Christian) Wedding Ceremony
Grandparents: Traditionally, if you’re wanting to honor your grandparents they will enter first.
Groom’s Parents: It’s up to you if you want to honor the groom’s parents by having them walk down the aisle. They can be seated after all the guests and before the mother of the bride.
Mother of the Bride: The mother of the bride is the last person seated before the officiant, groom and best man take their places at the altar. She can walk alone or be escorted by her son, son-in-law or another relative. She is seated on the left side in the first row.
Officiant, Groom & Best Man: Enter the ceremony venue and stand at the altar.
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: Walk down the aisle in pairs. You can also have them enter individually if you prefer.
Maid/Matron of Honor: Walks down the aisle alone.
The Ring Bearer(s) and Flower Girl(s): Your little ones can either walk together or the ring bearer can enter before the flower girl(s).
The Bride and Father of the Bride: The bride walks on her father’s right side, traditionally.
If you are not having a religious ceremony or are getting married at a non-church venue, feel free to take what you like and change what you don’t. Ultimately, your wedding day is up to you. In the end, you’re getting married and that is what matters the most.
