Spacing Out The Bridesmaids Processional: How Far Is Ideal?

The spacing between bridesmaids in a wedding processional depends on the length of the aisle, the length of the song, and the number of people walking down the aisle. For example, if you have a long aisle and a long song, you can space out the bridesmaids more than if you have a short aisle and a short song. Additionally, if you have a large bridal party, you may want to space out the bridesmaids more to give each person their moment as they walk down the aisle. Ultimately, the spacing between bridesmaids is a personal preference, and you can customize your processional to fit your wedding style and vision.

Timing and spacing

The timing and spacing of the bridesmaids' processional will depend on several factors, including the length of the aisle, the number of people walking down the aisle, and the song(s) chosen.

A wedding processional typically lasts between three to five minutes, but this can vary depending on the number of people involved. The bride's walk down the aisle can take up to one minute. If you have a small bridal party, two minutes may be too long for your song, and you may need to fade it out early. However, if you have a large bridal party or a long aisle, you may need a longer song to accommodate everyone.

For example, if you have eight pairs of bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle one pair at a time, followed by the bride, a seven-minute song may be too long. In this case, you could use the first repetition of the song (about 80 seconds) for the bridal party and the chorus for the bride's entrance. Alternatively, you could have each pair of bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle to a different song.

If you want to have each pair of bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle to the same song, you'll need to time how long it takes to walk down your aisle and multiply that by the number of pairs. For example, if it takes 50 seconds for one bridesmaid to walk down the aisle and you have three bridesmaids, you'll need a song that's at least 200 seconds (about three and a half minutes) long.

You can also play around with spacing and timing to make your bridal party entrance unique. For instance, you could have each pair of bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle at a different pace, with some walking slowly and others walking more quickly. You could also have the pairs start walking when the previous pair is only halfway down the aisle, creating a continuous stream of people.

Another option is to have the bridesmaids walk down the aisle individually or in a group, rather than in pairs. This can be a good choice if you have an uneven number of bridesmaids and groomsmen or if you want to give your bridal party a more modern look. Walking down the aisle individually will also give you more flexibility with timing and spacing, as you won't need to worry about coordinating pairs.

Finally, don't forget to consider the other elements of your bridal party entrance, such as the train of the bride's dress, which may need to be arranged by the maid of honor, and the spacing between the bridal party and the bride's entrance. These details can add time to your processional, so be sure to factor them into your planning.

Order of bridesmaids

The order of the bridesmaids' processional will depend on the type of wedding ceremony. Here are some of the most common types of weddings and their respective bridesmaids' orders:

Christian Wedding

The bridesmaids can walk down the aisle in pairs with the groomsmen, or they can walk down the aisle solo, with the maid of honour at the end. The first bridesmaid to walk down the aisle will stand the farthest away from the couple, and the order may be organised by height, with the tallest bridesmaid walking down the aisle first.

Catholic Wedding

The bridesmaids and groomsmen will walk in pairs, with the bridesmaids on the left and the groomsmen on the right. The maid of honour walks down the aisle last and takes her place next to the bride.

Jewish Wedding

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle solo or in pairs and stand on the right side of the chuppah (wedding canopy). The maid of honour is the last of the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle and stands closest to the bride on the right side.

Hindu Wedding

The bride's family will arrive at the ceremony first to welcome the groom, who is accompanied by his family and friends on horseback, by elephant, or in a special vehicle. The bride then walks down the aisle with her loved ones, such as her maternal aunt and uncle or brothers, and joins the groom at the mandap (altar).

Nondenominational Wedding

The bridesmaids and groomsmen typically walk in pairs, starting from those who will stand farthest from the couple. The maid of honour walks alone after the other bridal party members.

Modern Wedding

The bridesmaids can walk down the aisle solo or in pairs, in the order of where they will stand at the altar, with the maid of honour as the final bridesmaid.

General Tips

• The wedding processional refers to the moment when the couple and their wedding party walk down the aisle in a specific order, initiating the ceremony.
• The average wedding processional will take no more than five minutes.
• The bride is traditionally escorted by her father but can be escorted by her mother, both parents, or another loved one.
• The best man can walk directly after the groom or alongside the maid of honour.
• The bridesmaids don't have to walk in pairs with the groomsmen; they can walk down the aisle individually or with another bridesmaid.
• The maid of honour stands closest to the bride, on her left side.

Walking in pairs

When bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs, the processional order is usually as follows: the groom walks down first, followed by the groomsmen and bridesmaids in pairs, who then split off at the front. This allows for clear photos of each pair walking down the aisle together. The pairs are typically spaced out evenly, with each pair walking one after the other.

The number of seconds between each pair will depend on the length of the aisle and the length of the song. For a smallish aisle of about 40-50 seated guests, 10 seconds per pair may be too rushed, while 20 seconds may be more appropriate. For a longer aisle, each pair may need more time, and you can also adjust the timing based on the length of your song. If you want the pairs to walk down the aisle to the same song that you will be walking down to, you may need to cut the song to the appropriate length.

If you have an uneven bridal party, there are a few options to consider. One option is to have each groomsman walk with two bridesmaids or vice versa, depending on which group has more people. If the groups are more uneven, such as 10 bridesmaids and 2 groomsmen, then it is suggested that they enter separately, with the groomsmen entering from the side and the bridesmaids walking down the aisle. You could also have each person walk down the aisle individually, which is perfectly acceptable, but they should walk at a quicker pace.

The spacing and timing of the processional will depend on the length of your aisle, the length of your song, and the number of people in your bridal party. It is a good idea to do a timed run during your rehearsal to ensure that the timing and spacing work well together.

Walking alone

If you're planning a wedding, you'll want to get the bridal party's entrance just right. Here's a guide to spacing out the bridesmaids' processional when they're walking alone.

There are many ways to structure the bridal party's entrance, and it's becoming more common for bridesmaids to walk alone. In fact, this is the traditional way for bridesmaids to enter in Christian weddings. The groomsmen can enter from the side and stand at the front with the groom, and then the bridesmaids can walk down the aisle solo before the bride. This can be a nice way to ''introduce'' the bride and give her a moment in the spotlight. Walking alone can also be a good option if your bridal party are not comfortable walking in pairs, or if they're wearing shoes they're not used to.

If you're worried about your bridesmaids feeling awkward walking alone, you could have the groomsmen walk with them and then stand at the front, or have the bridesmaids walk in pairs and the groomsmen walk alone. You could also have the groomsmen walk with the bridesmaids for part of the way and then peel off to stand at the front, or vice versa. Ultimately, it's your wedding, so you can decide how you want the processional to progress.

Spacing

If your bridesmaids are walking alone, you'll want to think about how far to space them out. This will depend on factors such as the length of the aisle, how many people are in your bridal party, and how long you want the processional to last. As a general rule, the first person to walk down the aisle will stand the farthest away from the couple, so the last person to walk down will be the one who stands closest to the couple at the altar. This is also usually organised by height, with the tallest members of the bridal party walking first.

Order of Entrance

The order of entrance for the bridesmaids will also depend on personal preference and how you want to showcase your bridal party. For example, you might want the maid of honour to walk last so she's closest to the bride, or you might prefer to have her walk first.

Walking with the groomsmen

There are several ways to organise the spacing of the groomsmen during the wedding procession, and the best approach will depend on the preferences of the couple, as well as the number of groomsmen and bridesmaids. Here are some options for walking with the groomsmen:

Groomsmen Walk Down the Aisle First

In this option, the groomsmen walk down the aisle one by one, either after the groom or after the parents. The bridesmaids then follow, also walking down the aisle solo, with the maid of honour at the end. This approach allows for more photos of the groomsmen as they enter the ceremony space.

Groomsmen and Bridesmaids Walk in Pairs

The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in pairs, starting with those who will be placed farthest away from the couple. The best man and maid of honour are the last to walk down the aisle and stand closest to the couple at the altar. This option works well aesthetically and makes for balanced photos.

Groomsmen and Bridesmaids Alternate

The groomsmen and bridesmaids walk down the aisle alternately, one by one. This approach can be used to protect the bride and groom from evil spirits or attackers, in line with early wedding traditions.

Groomsmen Enter from the Side

The groomsmen enter from the side of the venue and stand at the front, before the bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one. This is a more modern approach and can make for a striking entrance.

Groomsmen Walk with the Groom

The groom is accompanied by his groomsmen as he walks down the aisle. This option is less common but can be a good choice if the groom feels uncomfortable walking alone.

Frequently asked questions