Franklin Dean
Wedding processionals are a memorable part of the wedding ceremony, and they don't have to be serious. While the processional order is influenced by cultural and religious traditions, modern weddings are increasingly creative and unique, with couples putting their own spin on traditions. From intimate processionals with just the couple walking hand-in-hand to grand entrances with a fun and light-hearted twist, the processional can be personalised to reflect the couple's style and vision.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Order of procession | This depends on the couple's religion or cultural traditions. |
| Participants | Grandparents, parents, flower girls, ring bearers, bridesmaids, groomsmen, maid of honour, best man, bride, groom, etc. |
| Music | Couples can choose their own music. |
| Flexibility | Wedding processionals can be customised and personalised. |
| Mood | Wedding processionals can be serious, fun, light-hearted, or unique. |
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What You'll Learn
Religious and cultural traditions
The wedding processional is often dictated by religious and cultural traditions. While there is no standard format that one must follow, different cultures and religions incorporate distinctive elements into their wedding ceremonies.
In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the mother of the bride, followed by the groom, the best man, the wedding party, the flower girl, the ring bearer, and the bride, who is escorted by her father. In Catholic weddings, the wedding party enters the ceremony venue with men on the right and women on the left. The priest, groom, and best man enter from the side of the venue and take their places at the altar, where the groom and groomsmen stand on the right, and the bride and her bridesmaids on the left. Some songs may be considered inappropriate for the religious ceremony, so it is important to check with the priest.
Hindu weddings involve the parents more in the processional, with the bride's parents even sitting with the couple under the mandap for the service. Instead of exchanging rings, they exchange garlands made from flowers. Jewish weddings include both parties' grandparents walking down the aisle, and the bride and groom are married under a chuppah, a four-post canopy-like structure representing the home they will build together. One of the most well-known Jewish wedding traditions is breaking a glass wrapped in cloth at the end of the ceremony, symbolizing the fragility of life and marriage.
Muslim weddings, or Nikah, are usually short, spanning 30 to 40 minutes, and performed in a mosque. Family members gather around each member of the couple to start the ceremony, with the women sitting by the bride and the men surrounding the groom. The father of the bride is appointed as the bride's Wali or guardian, and the groom presents the bride with cash, gifts, and other offerings.
Korean weddings include a ceremony called Paebaek, where the newlyweds, dressed in ceremonial attire, bow deeply and offer the groom's parents a cup of rice wine, chestnuts, and jujubes (Korean dates), which symbolize children. The parents then share their wisdom on marriage and throw the chestnuts and jujubes back at the bride, who tries to catch them in her skirt.
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Order of entrances
The wedding processional is often one of the most memorable parts of the wedding. The order of entrances can be customised to fit your preferences, family situation, and needs. Here is a breakdown of a traditional wedding processional order, which can be adjusted to suit your wedding:
- Grandparents
- Groom's Parents and/or Mother of the Bride
- Officiant
- Groom (either walking down the aisle or entering from the side)
- Groomsmen
- Bridesmaids
- Maid of Honour and Best Man
- Ring Bearer
- Flower Girl
- Bride (escorted by her father, mother, or both, or unescorted)
The processional order can be adjusted to fit your wedding party. For example, the best man can enter last or walk in from the side. The maid of honour can walk alone or with the best man. The bride and groom can also walk down the aisle together. Additionally, the groomsmen and bridesmaids can walk in pairs or individually.
The processional order can also depend on your religious customs and cultural traditions. For instance, Jewish weddings include both parties' grandparents walking down the aisle, while Hindu weddings involve more participation from the parents. Ultimately, you can create your own processional order, making it unique and meaningful to you.
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Who walks with whom
The processional order of a wedding is one of the most memorable moments of the wedding day. The processional marks the start of the ceremony and is the first time guests will see the wedding party and the couple. The order of the processional can be customised, but it often includes a permutation of the officiant, parents, the groom, the wedding party, the flower girls, the ring bearers, and the bride.
Religious and Cultural Traditions
The processional order can vary depending on the type of religious or cultural wedding service. Hindu and Jewish ceremonies include more family members than traditional or nondenominational ceremonies. For instance, Jewish weddings have both parties' grandparents walking down the aisle, while at Hindu weddings, the parents are more involved in the processional, with the bride's parents even sitting with the couple during the service.
Traditional Order
In a traditional processional, the mother of the bride's entrance often signals the beginning of the processional. The groom then takes her place at the head of the altar, either entering from the side or walking down the aisle solo or escorted by his parents. The best man usually walks in before the groom or by his side if the groom enters from the side. The groomsmen typically open the processional, walking down the aisle one by one or in pairs, starting with the groomsman who will stand farthest from the couple. The maid or matron of honour walks alone after the groomsmen, or with the best man. The bridesmaids follow, also walking in pairs and starting with the bridesmaid who will stand farthest from the bride. The ring bearer and flower girl precede the bride, with the ring bearer carrying the wedding rings (or decoys) on a small pillow, and the flower girl scattering petals or carrying a posy of flowers.
The Bride's Entrance
In a traditional processional, the bride is escorted by her father, who gives her away, lifts her veil, and kisses her before taking his seat next to the bride's mother. However, the bride may also be escorted by her mother, both parents, or she may decide to walk down the aisle alone or with her partner.
Other Options
Other options for the processional include having the wedding party walk in pairs, with one attendant from each partner walking together down the aisle. The partners' best people can also walk down the aisle together. The littlest attendants can walk together or one by one, and once they reach the front, they are seated with their parents. The partners then walk down the aisle escorted by their parents or alone.
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Music and timing
Music Selection:
The music you choose for your processional can enhance the mood and atmosphere of your wedding. Consider the vibe you want to create, whether it's traditional, modern, elegant, or something unique to your personality as a couple. Select songs that resonate with you and your partner, as this is an opportunity to make the processional memorable.
Timing and Song Length:
The timing of your processional and the length of your chosen songs are important considerations. On average, it takes about 30 seconds to a minute for each person to walk down the aisle. Therefore, you may want to choose one song for everyone walking down the aisle before the bride or couple makes their entrance. This way, you avoid having multiple short snippets of different songs.
If your processional takes longer than one song, consider looping it or having a second song ready to create a seamless experience. Alternatively, you can use a free audio editor to repeat a specific part of the song, such as the chorus, to extend its length.
Prelude and Recessional:
Don't forget about the prelude, which is the block of time between guests arriving and the ceremony starting. Prelude music helps set the mood and can last about 30 minutes. The recessional, on the other hand, is the wedding party's exit, and the music is often upbeat and fast-paced to celebrate the newly married couple.
Rehearsal and Flexibility:
It's essential to rehearse and time your processional to ensure everything flows smoothly. Test out the song(s) you've chosen and walk down the aisle at a comfortable pace to gauge the timing. Be prepared to adapt and make adjustments if needed, as the length of the aisle and the number of people walking down can impact the overall timing.
Unique Touches:
Feel free to add unique touches to your processional music. For instance, you can have a dramatic wedding song sung during the processional or create a video with your chosen song, timing the entrances of your bridal party. If you're having a virtual wedding, set up multiple camera angles, including one focusing on your musicians, to enhance the experience for your guests.
Remember, while tradition can provide a framework, your wedding processional should ultimately reflect your personal style and vision. So, feel free to customise and adapt the music and timing to create a meaningful and memorable experience for you and your guests.
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Adding a personal spin
Wedding processionals are often serious and steeped in tradition, dictated by religion or culture. However, couples can certainly add a personal spin to their wedding processionals to make them unique and memorable.
Music
While Richard Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride") is a common choice, couples can choose a song that is special to them to personalise the processional.
Order of Entrance
The processional order can be customised to fit the couple's preferences and reflect their personalities. For example, the couple may walk down the aisle together or enter from different directions. They can also be accompanied by different family members or wedding party members, such as parents, grandparents, or attendants.
Attire
Couples can allow their wedding party flexibility in choosing their attire, adding a fun and creative element to the processional.
Traditions
Breaking with tradition can also add a unique twist to the processional. For instance, the couple can get ready together instead of avoiding each other until the ceremony, symbolising their teamwork and bond.
Entertainment
Instead of the traditional singer or musician, couples can opt for alternative entertainment, such as an illusionist or stand-up comedian, to surprise and delight their guests during the processional.
The key is for couples to feel free to create a processional that reflects their individuality and makes their wedding day truly their own.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding processionals can be customised to suit your vision for the day. The order of the procession will depend on your religious customs, the length of the aisle, the number of people participating, and personal preferences. Ultimately, it is your wedding, so feel free to adapt the processional order to suit your family dynamics and wishes.
The traditional order includes any grandparents, the groom's parents and/or mother of the bride, followed by the officiant, the groom, groomsmen, bridesmaids, maid of honour, best man, ring bearer, flower girl, and finally, the bride with her father.
Yes, same-sex couples can choose to have a traditional wedding processional. However, the traditional "bride and groom" language may not apply, and there may be variations in the procession order to accommodate the couple's preferences and family dynamics.
