Who Walks Down The Aisle First? Bridesmaids Or Bride?

The wedding processional marks the start of the ceremony and is often one of the most emotional and memorable moments of the day. The processional order varies depending on the type of wedding ceremony, religious or civil, and the couple's preferences. In this case, we will be focusing on the placement of the bridesmaids in the wedding procession.

Traditionally, in American weddings, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle first, either one by one or side by side, followed by the flower girl and the bride with her father. In the UK, the bride and her father usually walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridesmaids and flower girls. However, it has become increasingly common for the bridesmaids to walk before the bride in UK weddings as well, creating a sense of anticipation for the bride's entrance. Ultimately, the couple can choose to personalise the processional order to make it meaningful to them.

In the US, bridesmaids traditionally walk before the bride

In the US, bridesmaids traditionally walk down the aisle before the bride. This is a long-held tradition, but it is not mandatory, and couples are increasingly choosing to personalise their wedding processional order.

In a traditional Christian ceremony, the groom and best man enter from a side door and stand at the altar. The bridesmaids and ushers then walk in pairs, or alone if there are uneven numbers. The maid or matron of honour walks alone, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, who may walk together. Finally, the bride and her father walk down the aisle, with the bride on her father's right arm.

There are several practical reasons for bridesmaids to walk before the bride. If the bride enters first, she must stand at the altar with her father and the groom, waiting for the rest of the bridal party to file in. This can be time-consuming, particularly if there are several bridesmaids. It can also be overwhelming for a young flower girl to walk in first, followed by the bride, with all eyes on them. Having the bridesmaids walk first also creates a sense of anticipation for the bride's arrival.

The wedding processional is an emotional and memorable moment for the couple and their guests. It is the start of the ceremony, marking the beginning of the couple's new life together. The processional can be adapted to suit the couple's preferences, the size of the wedding party, and the type of ceremony, whether religious or non-religious.

In the UK, bridesmaids traditionally walk after the bride

The traditional order of a wedding processional in the UK is as follows: First, the groom and best man enter from a side door and stand at the altar. Then, the bride's grandparents, followed by the groom's grandparents, and then the groom's parents walk down the aisle. The mother of the bride comes next, and if the officiant isn't already at the altar, they will be the next person to walk down the aisle.

The bride then walks down the aisle with her father, who stands on her left side. They walk towards the groom, and once they reach the altar, the groom turns around to greet the bride. The bride takes her place on the groom's left, and her father stands to her left.

After the bride has walked down the aisle, the bridesmaids, flower girls, and page boys follow. The bridesmaids walk in pairs, and the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid is the closest to the bride. They ensure that the bride's dress and veil are perfect before taking their seats.

While this is the traditional order, it is now more common for the bride and her father to walk down the aisle last, creating a build-up of excitement and anticipation for their arrival. The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid remains standing until the bride reaches the altar to adjust her dress and veil if needed.

Ultimately, there is no longer a right or wrong way to organise the wedding procession, and couples can personalise the order to make it meaningful to them.

The bridesmaids' walk creates anticipation for the bride's arrival

In the US, it is traditional for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle first, either one at a time or side by side, and this tradition is becoming more common in the UK, too. This creates a sense of anticipation for the bride's grand entrance. It also makes practical sense, as it would be awkward for the bride to stand at the altar with her father and the groom, waiting for the rest of the bridal party to file in. If there is only one or two bridesmaids, this may not be an issue, but if there are more, it can take up too much time.

In the UK, it is more traditional for the bride to walk down the aisle first, followed by her bridesmaids. However, this order can cause a build-up of excitement and anticipation for the bride's arrival as the bridal party gathers at the altar.

The bridesmaids' walk is an opportunity to showcase their dresses and add to the spectacle of the ceremony. It is a memorable moment for them and a chance to feel like stars in their own right before the bride takes centre stage.

Whether the bridesmaids walk before or after the bride, their procession is an important part of the wedding ceremony. It is a chance to build excitement and create a memorable entrance for the bridal party.

The bride's family traditionally sits on the left, and the groom's on the right

The wedding processional marks the start of the ceremony and is a highly anticipated moment. The order in which the wedding party walks down the aisle is usually decided by the couple, but there are some traditional elements that are often followed.

In a traditional Christian ceremony, the bride's family sits on the left, and the groom's family sits on the right. The groom and best man typically enter from a side door and stand at the altar, with the groom on the right. The bridesmaids and groomsmen then walk down the aisle, usually in pairs, with the groomsman on the right and the bridesmaid on the left. The maid of honour walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids and groomsmen and stands next to the bride, who is on her left. The flower girl and ring bearer then walk down the aisle together, and the bride and her father are the last to walk down the aisle before the ceremony begins.

In the UK, it is more common for the bride and her father to walk down the aisle last, creating a sense of anticipation for their arrival. In Jewish ceremonies, the wedding party stands or sits under the chuppah (a traditional Jewish wedding canopy) with the groom and his parents on the left and the bride and her parents on the right.

While these are the traditional ways for the wedding procession to walk down the aisle, the couple can decide to arrange the bridal party in any way they choose.

The bridesmaids ensure the bride's dress, veil and train are perfect

The bridesmaids play a crucial role in ensuring the bride's dress, veil, and train are perfect and remain that way throughout the wedding ceremony. Here are some tips and guidelines for the bridesmaids to achieve this:

Before the Ceremony

The maid of honour or chief bridesmaid should check the bride's wedding gown, veil, and train before she walks down the aisle. They should ensure that everything is perfectly in place and make any necessary adjustments. This includes checking the dress for any creases or imperfections and ensuring the veil and train are smoothly laid out and flowing gracefully.

During the Processional

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle before the maid of honour, either one at a time or side by side. They should be mindful of the bride's dress and veil as they proceed, ensuring they do not step on or displace any part of it. If there are flower girls or page boys, the bridesmaids should keep an eye on them to ensure they do not accidentally mess up the bride's attire.

At the Altar

Once the bride reaches the altar, the maid of honour or chief bridesmaid remains standing until the bride is positioned. She may need to assist the bride with her dress, veil, and train, ensuring they are arranged neatly and gracefully. The maid of honour can then take her seat next to the bride or stand during the ceremony, ready to offer any further assistance if needed.

During the Ceremony

Throughout the ceremony, the bridesmaids should be attentive and prepared to assist the bride if needed. They should be mindful of the bride's train, especially if it is long and flowing. They can gently arrange it to ensure it lays smoothly and does not get stepped on or tangled. If the bride's veil is long, the bridesmaids can also keep an eye on it, ensuring it does not get in the way or become dishevelled.

After the Ceremony

Following the ceremony, the bridesmaids can help the bride with her dress, veil, and train, especially if she needs to move to a different location for photographs or the reception. They can assist with any adjustments, ensuring the bride looks perfect for her post-ceremony activities.

Remember, it is essential to communicate with the bride and ensure she is comfortable and happy with her attire. The bridesmaids should be attentive and ready to assist at any moment, ensuring the bride's dress, veil, and train remain flawless throughout her special day.

Frequently asked questions