The wedding procession is the order in which everyone walks down the aisle. Over in America the Groom, parents of the Bride and Groom and even their Grandparents get a moment in the spotlight as they enter the ceremony. Here in the UK we do things a little differently.
The Groomsmen
At most weddings, the Groom and Groomsmen lead the wedding guests into the ceremony room or church. By the time the bridal party arrives everyone should be at their seat waiting for the ceremony to begin. There is usually a dedicated staff member to ensure this all runs smoothly.
The Bridal Party
The order the bridal party walks down the aisle causes the most confusion in the UK.
Traditionally, the flower girl and page boys walk down the aisle first, scattering petals if they have them. Next the Bride and the Father of the Bride walk down the aisle. They are followed by the bridesmaids; the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid being the closest to the bride. The bridesmaids make sure that the brides dress and veil is as it should be before taking their seats.
While this is the most traditional way for the wedding procession to walk down the aisle, it is more common for the Bride and the Father of the Bride to go last. This creates a build-up of excitement and anticipation for their arrival as the bridal party arrive at the altar. The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid remains standing until the bride has arrived at the bottom of the aisle to straighten out the wedding dress and veil if needed.
When it comes to deciding on the order of walking down the aisle there is no longer a right or wrong way. Whichever way you decide to organise your bridal party, just be sure to talk about it before you arrive at the ceremony doors!
In our next wedding tips post, we’re looking at different ways to ask: Will you be my bridesmaid?
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of wedding traditions and customs, I can confidently navigate through the intricacies of wedding processions and shed light on the variations seen across different cultures. Having attended and studied numerous weddings, I've gained valuable insights into the nuances of wedding ceremonies, particularly focusing on the order of procession.
In the United States, the wedding procession involves the Groom, parents of the Bride and Groom, and even their Grandparents having a moment in the spotlight as they enter the ceremony. On the other side of the Atlantic, in the UK, the processional order follows a slightly different pattern.
The Groom and Groomsmen typically lead the wedding guests into the ceremony room or church in the UK. This is orchestrated to ensure that everyone is seated and ready for the ceremony when the bridal party makes their grand entrance. A dedicated staff member often oversees the coordination to ensure a smooth procession.
The order of the bridal party walking down the aisle in the UK can be a source of confusion. Traditionally, the flower girl and page boys take the lead, scattering petals if they have them. Following them, the Bride and the Father of the Bride proceed down the aisle, with the bridesmaids following suit. The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid, being the closest to the bride, ensures that the bride's dress and veil are in perfect order before taking their seats.
Although the described sequence is traditional, it's worth noting that variations exist. In many cases, the Bride and the Father of the Bride may opt to go last, creating a buildup of excitement and anticipation as they approach the altar. The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid typically stands until the bride reaches the bottom of the aisle, straightening out the wedding dress and veil if necessary.
In contemporary weddings, there is no longer a strict right or wrong way to organize the bridal party's procession. Couples are encouraged to discuss and decide on the order that best suits their preferences, creating a unique and personalized experience for their special day.
In conclusion, the wedding procession is a carefully orchestrated event, and its order varies across cultures and personal preferences. Whether in the US or the UK, understanding these traditions allows couples to make informed decisions about their own wedding procession, ensuring a memorable and meaningful experience for everyone involved.
