How to arrange your wedding processional!

How to Arrange Your Wedding Processional

You’ve planned everything for your big day and maybe just forgot one little detail. How will you and your wedding party walk down the aisle?! What is your wedding ceremony order?! Don’t you worry, another second! Today, this video focuses on the traditional way to order your wedding processional, and then we’re going to tell you how to personalize it! But first, grab a free copy of our Ceremony Cheat Sheet to help you finalize your plan!

Processionals are all about preplanning, practice, and timing. Keep these in mind when customizing what order to walk down the aisle. Keep in mind there is not an official way order for how to plan your wedding ceremony entry and exit; do what feels right to you! Sexes don’t matter, but there should be a lead side of the family. Be consistent with this across groups.

First, decide to include grandparents into your processional.

If you have elected to include your grandparents, start with them. The groom’s grandparents will always go first, and keep that tend for every group that follows. Think of it like ballroom dancing, the lead or male relatives walk in first. Next will be the bride’s grandparents.

Second, is the parents’ walk. 

A very proud day for any parent, keep that in mind as you decide who will accompany them down the aisle. First is the groom’s parents because of our previous rule of “the lead or male” side of the family of the couple. If his parents are still married, then they will walk together. If not, then you will need to find an escort for both of them. A popular choice to personalize a ceremony order, having the groom escort his mother down the aisle. Moms will love it! 

Traditionally, the father of the bride escorts the bride, which leaves the mother of the bride without someone. Use a sibling, cousin of the bride, or someone close to the family to fill in!

Third is the wedding party!

The officiant should stand in place at the altar before the processional begins. Then he/she will signal the wedding party to start their entrance. The groom follows them unless he has already escorted someone down the aisle. If so, he would just stay at the altar. Next, the groomsmen file in if they are walking in separately from the bridesmaids. This is where most of your creative freedom can shine! Don’t be shy about trying new things! 

The best man will enter first so that he can stand beside the groom. The bridesmaids will come the opposite way. They will join and stand furthest from the altar. The Maid of Honor walks in last so she can stay with the bride for as long as possible. 

Next, Ring bearers, and the flower girls!

They can walk separately or together, depending on age and preference. If the ring bearers are young, then they will probably have more luck walking down the aisle together. A coordinator or parent should be on standby to aid their journey and keep them on track!

Last, the beautiful bride!!! 

Tradition states that the father of the bride walks her down, but if Dad isn’t going to be there that day, don’t fret, there are plenty of options! 

You can have a male figure that is important in your life fill in—a grandparent, brother, or close friend, for example. Don’t forget; your mom can walk you down the aisle. Mom raised you too, and we will repeat it MOMS LOVE IT!! The third option is you walk the aisle like it’s a runway! Be the center of attention and pace yourself!

There you have it, ladies and gentlemen! Traditional, modern, or personalized processionals are all acceptable. We hope we helped you figure out your wedding processional today and good luck!

Here’s a quick and basic list of how the wedding processional should look:

Groom’s Grandparent

Bride’s Grandparents

Groom’s Parents

Bride’s Parents

Officiant

Groom

Best Man

Groomsmen

Bridesmaids

Maid of Honor

Ring Bearer

Flower Girl

Bride & Father

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