Aisle Attendants: Bridesmaids And Groomsmen's Grand Entrance

The wedding processional is a memorable moment and a highlight of the wedding ceremony. It refers to the moment when the wedding party walks down the aisle in a specific order, initiating the ceremony. The processional often includes the officiant, the wedding party, flower girls, ring bearers, and the bride and groom and their parents. The order of the processional can vary depending on religious and cultural traditions, as well as personal preferences. For example, in a Christian wedding, the groom walks down the aisle with his parents, followed by the groomsmen and bridesmaids, while in a Jewish wedding, the rabbi or cantor is the first to walk towards the altar, followed by the bride's and groom's grandparents. Ultimately, the couple can decide the processional order that feels most natural for them and their friends, and don't be afraid to think outside the box and have fun with it.

The order of the wedding party

Christian Wedding Processional Order:

The Christian wedding processional order can vary, but here is a general outline:

• Officiant: The officiant, such as a priest or pastor, starts the procession and walks towards the altar.
• Groom and Best Man: The groom, accompanied by his best man, follows the officiant. They may enter from the side or walk down the aisle.
• Groomsmen: The groomsmen walk down the aisle individually or in pairs.
• Grandparents of the Couple: The grandparents of the couple may walk down the aisle and take their seats in the front row.
• Groom's Parents: The groom's parents proceed down the aisle and sit on the right side.
• Mother of the Bride: The mother of the bride may walk alone or be escorted by a family member. She sits in the front row on the left.
• Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: The bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk in pairs, with the bridesmaids on the left and groomsmen on the right.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: The maid of honour walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
• Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl: The ring bearer and/or flower girl precede the bride's entrance.
• Bride and Father of the Bride: Finally, the bride, escorted traditionally by her father, makes her way towards the altar.

Jewish Wedding Processional Order:

The Jewish wedding processional order includes:

• Rabbi and/or Cantor: The rabbi or cantor is the first to walk towards the altar, standing under the traditional chuppah.
• Grandparents of the Bride: The bride's grandparents walk down the aisle first and sit on the right side in the front row.
• Grandparents of the Groom: The groom's grandparents follow and sit on the left side in the front row.
• Groomsmen: The groomsmen walk in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the groom.
• Best Man: The best man walks alone after the groomsmen and stands closest to the groom.
• Groom and Parents: The groom is escorted down the aisle by his parents, with his father on his left and mother on his right.
• Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: The maid of honour walks alone.
• Ring Bearer and/or Flower Girl: The ring bearer and flower girl walk down the aisle and then sit with their parents.
• Bride and Parents: The bride is escorted by both parents, with her father on her left arm and mother on her right.

Hindu Wedding Processional Order:

The Hindu wedding processional order is as follows:

• Groom, Groom's Family, and Friends: The groom's procession, known as the "Baraat," is a festive celebration with dancing and music.
• Bride and Bridal Party: The bride enters with her bridal party, family, and friends. The bridal party walks ahead to hide the bride for the grand reveal.

Nondenominational/Non-religious Wedding Processional Order:

For a nondenominational or non-religious wedding, the processional order is typically more flexible:

• Officiant: The officiant, who can be a friend or family member, stands at the altar to begin the processional.
• Groom and Groomsmen: The groom and groomsmen may already be at the altar or choose to walk down the aisle.
• Best Man: The best man follows the groom's decision, either entering from the side or walking down the aisle.
• Groomsmen and Bridesmaids: They usually walk in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the couple.
• Maid/Matron of Honor: The maid or matron of honour walks alone after the other bridal party members.
• Flower Girl(s) and/or Ring Bearer(s): The children walk down the aisle one after the other and then sit with their parents.
• Bride and/or Bride's Parents: The bride may be escorted by her father, mother, both parents, or choose to walk alone.

Modern Wedding Processional Order:

A modern wedding procession can be customised but typically includes:

• Officiant: The officiant begins the ceremony by walking down the aisle and standing at the altar.
• Parents of the Couple: The parents of the couple may walk down the aisle together or be escorted by their children or step-parents.
• Wedding Party: The wedding party, including bridesmaids and groomsmen, can walk individually or in pairs, usually in the order they will stand at the altar.
• Junior Attendants: Any young attendants, such as a ring bearer or flower girl, precede the couple's entrance.
• Couple: Finally, the couple walks down the aisle alone, escorted by parents, or together towards the altar.

Customisation and Variations:

The wedding party's procession can be customised to suit the couple's preferences and cultural traditions

The role of the best man

The best man is the groom's right-hand man and closest confidant throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself. He is usually the groom's brother, close relative, or best friend, but there are no set rules. The role can also be given to the groom's father or son, or even a female friend.

The best man is responsible for planning and organising the bachelor party, as well as collecting money from the other groomsmen for a gift for the groom. He also helps the groom and groomsmen choose their wedding attire, and holds the wedding rings during the ceremony.

On the day of the wedding, the best man ensures the groom and groomsmen are where they need to be, on time. He also greets guests, acts as a witness when the couple signs the marriage license, and gives a speech at the reception.

Pre-Wedding Responsibilities

• Assist with outfit details and selections
• Organise the bachelor party
• Coordinate the groom's gift
• Provide emotional support
• Be present for the rehearsal and make a small toast during the rehearsal dinner

Wedding-Day Responsibilities

• Keep the groom and groomsmen on schedule
• Hold the wedding rings
• Greet and welcome guests
• Act as a witness when the couple signs the marriage license
• Give a well-crafted speech that focuses on the newlyweds and their love story
• Keep the reception moving and ensure all guests are having a good time
• Dance with the maid of honour, the bride, the mother of the bride, and the mother of the groom
• Ensure gifts get to the right place

Post-Wedding Responsibilities

• Take care of the groom's clothing and ensure any rented outfits are returned on time
• Check in with vendors to ensure all wedding-related expenses are handled
• Coordinate and decorate the getaway car

The role of the maid of honour

The maid of honour is the bride's right-hand woman and BFF throughout the wedding planning process and on the big day itself. She is usually the bride's sister, close relative, or best friend. The role comes with a lot of responsibilities, and the bride will rely on her for support, advice, and practical help.

Before the Wedding

The maid of honour should be the bride's confidant and assistant, providing a listening ear and a helping hand. She should also be mindful of the bride's relationships with family members and be careful not to overwhelm her.

One of the most important tasks is to lead the bridal party and keep everyone in line. This includes connecting the group via email or text, checking in on their budgets for pre-wedding events, and making sure they know their roles and stick to the schedule.

The maid of honour will also typically be involved in choosing the bridesmaids' dresses and ensuring they are ordered on time. She will attend wedding dress shopping and fittings with the bride, providing honest and gentle opinions.

Other key tasks include planning the bachelorette party and bridal shower, keeping track of gifts received at these events, and preparing a wedding survival kit for the bride.

On the Wedding Day

On the day of the wedding, the maid of honour will help the bride get dressed and ensure she looks perfect before walking down the aisle. She will also help the bride go to the bathroom, if needed, and adjust her train and veil when she arrives at the altar.

During the ceremony, the maid of honour will hold the bride's bouquet and the groom's ring, if there is no ring bearer. She will also sign the marriage license as a witness.

At the reception, the maid of honour will traditionally enter with the best man and dance with him. She will also give a speech, usually after the best man, and ensure the bride stays stress-free, eats, and drinks enough.

Throughout the day, the maid of honour will act as a point of contact for guests and vendors, answering any questions and providing essential information.

The music

Music is a key part of any wedding ceremony and can be used to accompany the bridal party as they walk down the aisle. The music chosen for the processional can be tailored to the couple's preferences, whether traditional, modern, or a mix of both. Here are some ideas for the musical accompaniment during the entrance of the bridal party:

• Traditional Wedding Marches: The traditional "Bridal Chorus," commonly known as "Here Comes the Bride," is often associated with the bride's entrance. However, this classic choice can also be used for the bridesmaids and groomsmen's walk down the aisle. This well-known piece of wedding music is easily recognizable and sets a solemn and joyous tone for the ceremony.
• Classical Music: Opting for classical music can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to the bridal party's entrance. Choices can include instrumental pieces by composers such as Pachelbel, Mozart, Bach, or Vivaldi. Some popular options include Pachelbel's "Canon in D," Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," or Bach's "Air on a G String."
• Modern Songs: If you want to break away from tradition, modern songs can be a fun and unique choice for the bridal party's entrance. Choose a song that holds special meaning for you and your partner or select something that reflects your personalities. Whether it's a romantic ballad, an upbeat pop song, or even a fun retro tune, your musical selection can surprise and delight your guests.
• Cultural or Regional Music: Incorporating cultural or regional music into the bridal party's walk down the aisle can be a wonderful way to honour your heritage. This could include traditional folk songs, ethnic instruments, or music that holds significance in your culture. It adds a personal touch to the ceremony and can create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
• Soloist or Instrumental Performance: Consider having a live musical performance to accompany the bridal party. This could be a singer, a string quartet, a pianist, or any other type of musician or ensemble. Live music can create a truly magical atmosphere and can be tailored to your specific musical preferences.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to wedding music. You can mix and match different styles or choose a single theme that resonates with you. The most important thing is to select music that enhances the joy and celebration of your special day.

The timing

In a Christian wedding, the groom traditionally enters first, either from the side of the venue or by walking down the aisle solo or with his parents. The groomsmen then walk down the aisle, either before or alongside the bridesmaids. In a Jewish ceremony, the groom is escorted down the aisle by his parents, followed by the groomsmen walking in pairs. For a Hindu wedding, the groom's entrance is traditionally a festive celebration, with the groom arriving on a white horse as his family and friends dance around him. The bride's family welcomes him, and they proceed to the mandap together. In a nondenominational ceremony, the groom may enter with the officiant or walk down the aisle during the processional.

For the bridesmaids' entrance, one option is for the groomsmen to enter first and stand at the front, followed by the bridesmaids walking down one by one. Alternatively, the groomsmen and bridesmaids can enter together in pairs, or the groomsmen can walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridesmaids. In a Christian ceremony, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle one by one before the maid of honour, or in pairs with the groomsmen. In a Jewish ceremony, the bridesmaids proceed in pairs, and in a Hindu wedding, they walk down the aisle first, followed by the bride for her big reveal. In a nondenominational ceremony, the bridesmaids can walk in with the groomsmen or individually.

Frequently asked questions