Planning your wedding is more than just deciding on the perfect makeup artist or the color scheme. There are so many more intimate details that come with the planning process, especially when it comes to the bridal party and its procession. Have you ever thought about the wedding processional order? Different wedding processional can depend on your religion and so forth. We want to share with you what so many brides have been asking us, Wedding Processional Order: A Quick Guide for Brides, so that on your wedding day, everything runs smoothly. For a traditional wedding, the wedding process goes like this.
Wedding Processional Order: A Quick Guide for Brides - Photo Credit: Canstantin Panago
1. Mother of the Bride or MOB
First on our Wedding Processional Order: A Quick Guide for Brides is the mother of the bride. A clear indicator to your guests that the wedding has officially begun is the entrance of the bride's mother. Once the mother of the bride walks down the aisle, she will be seated to the left side of the aisle in the front row.
2. Groom
Once the mother of the bride takes her seat, the groom will enter from the side of the church or venue and take their place at the altar. Sometimes the groom's parents will escort him down the aisle and seat him to the right side of the altar.
3. Best Man
The groom's right-hand man, the best man, walks in from the side also and takes his place next to the groom at the altar. The best man holds the bride's ring.
4. Groomsmen
The groomsmen open the procession as they walk down the aisle one by one or walk alongside the bridesmaid.
5. Bridesmaids
Before the maid of honor or matron walks down the aisle, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one. Most brides choose to have groomsmen escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.
6. Maid or Matron of Honor
This is the one that gets confusing to some brides, which is why we had to include it in our Wedding Processional Order: A Quick Guide for Brides, especially when they have a maid and matron of honor. The maid or matron of honor is responsible for assisting the bride with her gown making sure everything is perfect for her entry. The maid or matron of honor also stands by the bride's side at the altar, holding her bouquet, and the groom's ring. The difference between the maid of honor and matron of honor is that the matron of honor is married.
7. Ring Bearer
The ring bearer has the big job of carrying the bride's ring on a pillow down the aisle. If they are too young, you can opt to have a makeshift ring so that the ring isn't mishandled.
8. Flower Girl
The flower girl duty includes walking down the aisle carrying the cutest little basket while they sprinkle flowers (usually rose petals) along the aisle before the bride walks down.
9. Bride and Father of the Bride
The bride is always the last person to walk down the aisle. Everyone stands to their feet when she enters. The father of the bride escorts the bride down the aisle, walking on the right side of the bride. Generally, when the father of the bride gets to the head of the altar, where he "gives the bride away", he lifts her veil and kisses her on the forehead before being seated beside the bride's mother.
If you would like to learn more about the Wedding Processional Order: A Quick Guide for Brides, contact us to speak to one of our wedding planners.