Who Walks Down The Aisle First?

The order in which the flower girl and ring bearer walk down the aisle is entirely up to the couple. While some sources suggest that the traditional order is for the ring bearer to walk down the aisle after the groomsmen and before the flower girl, who then precedes the bride, others suggest that the children walk down the aisle together, either before or after the wedding party. Ultimately, the couple can choose whatever order they prefer and can even split up the flower girl and ring bearer.

The flower girl and ring bearer can walk down the aisle first

Having the children go first is also a good option if you want to put some distance between an unpredictable child and the bride's big moment of walking down the aisle. It's a non-traditional option, but it happens just as often as the more traditional way of the flower girl preceding the bride.

If you're worried about the children's parents, it's worth noting that it's common for the flower girl and ring bearer's parents to be seated along the aisle, a couple of rows back from the altar, so they can encourage young children to walk in the right direction and be a friendly face in the crowd.

If you're concerned about the flower petals being stepped on, this can be avoided by having the flower girl carry long-stemmed flowers and give them away to guests as she walks up the aisle, or by having her carry something else entirely, such as a basket, bag, bouquet, pomander, or candles.

The flower girl and ring bearer can walk down the aisle together

If you want to stick to tradition, the ring bearer will carry the wedding rings (or faux rings) on a small pillow, while the flower girl drops petals along the aisle. However, there are alternative options for what they carry and how they walk. The ring bearer can carry a sign, banner, or basket, and the flower girl can carry flower baskets, bags, bouquets, pomanders (flower balls), or candles. Just be mindful of the weight on their little arms!

There is no set rule about when the flower girl and ring bearer should walk down the aisle. They can walk before everyone else, before the bride, or be split up with the ring bearer walking before the groom's party and the flower girl walking after the bride's party.

When deciding on the processional order, it is important to consider the children's ages and temperaments. If they are very young, you may want to have them walk first so that they don't interrupt the bride's grand entrance. If they are older and you want to keep things traditional, you can have them walk before the bride.

The ring bearer can carry the rings down the aisle

The role of the ring bearer is a wedding party role that is typically given to young children, usually between the ages of three and eight. The child walks down the aisle, often with a flower girl, and carries the wedding rings on a ring bearer pillow.

If the ring bearer is older, they can definitely carry the rings. To prevent the rings from slipping away, they can be tied down to the pillow or placed in a pouch. It is also possible to use fake rings, which are tied to a ribbon on the pillow, or placed in a bouquet or briefcase.

The ring bearer walks down the aisle after the wedding party and delivers the rings to the best man or wedding officiant. If the ring bearer is very young, they can be carried by their parents or escorted by the flower girl. Alternatively, they can be pulled in a wagon or small car.

The flower girl can scatter petals down the aisle

There are a few different options for the order in which the wedding party can walk down the aisle. One option is to have the ring bearers and flower girls lead the way, walking down the aisle ahead of everyone else. This is a good option if the children are very young, as it means they won't hold up the rest of the wedding party.

Another option is to have the flower girl enter the ceremony just before the bride, scattering flower petals down the aisle from a basket as they go. This is a traditional choice, but modern couples are increasingly opting for unique alternatives. If you'd rather not use real flower petals, there are several other options to scatter, or the flower girl could carry a small bouquet or wear a floral wand or floral-clad ribbon.

If you're looking for something with no clean-up, you could try rice paper confetti, glitter, or birdseed. You could also skip the scattering altogether and have the flower girl carry a basket of flowers or blow bubbles as they walk.

The flower girl and ring bearer can be dressed in miniature versions of the bridal party's attire

There are several options for the order in which the wedding party enters the ceremony. The flower girl and ring bearer can walk down the aisle first, or they can enter separately, with the ring bearer entering before the flower girl, or vice versa. The traditional way is for the flower girl to enter right before the bride, but this is not common practice anymore.

Dressing the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer

The ring bearer traditionally wears a small tuxedo or suit, but there are other options. You can dress him in suspenders, a classic bow tie, a hat, or a patterned jacket. If you want to keep things traditional, dress the flower girl in a bridal-inspired gown and the ring bearer in a groom-inspired tuxedo with dress shoes or penny loafers.

Other Considerations

It is important to remember that the child's parents will likely pay for the outfit, so be sure to give them options at different price points. You can also purchase the outfit or pick out an accessory as a ring bearer gift.

If you are having young children in your wedding, it is a nice gesture to invite them to the rehearsal dinner and let them stick around for the reception. It is also common courtesy to invite the flower girl to the bridal shower and the "get ready" party.

Frequently asked questions