Two Brides, One Wedding: What's The Deal?

A wedding with two brides can be a double wedding, where two couples share a ceremony and reception, or a sequel wedding, where one couple has two separate ceremonies. In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the mother of the bride, followed by the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. The brides, escorted by their fathers, are the last to make their entrance. In a Jewish wedding, the bride's party is on the right, and the groom's party is on the left. In a Hindu wedding, the bride is led by male family members down the aisle, where her father awaits before the altar with the groom and their parents. In a Catholic wedding, the priest often walks to the altar as part of the processional, with the wedding party following.

Who walks brides down the aisle

When there are two brides, the processional order can be adjusted to suit the couple's preferences. Here are some options for who can walk the brides down the aisle:

• Both sets of parents: In a Jewish wedding, it is customary for both parents of the brides to escort them down the aisle. This can be adapted for two brides, with each set of parents accompanying their daughter.
• Other family members: Brides may choose to be escorted by a sibling, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or another significant family member. For example, one bride may be walked down the aisle by her mother, while the other is accompanied by her brother.
• Walking solo: Some brides opt to walk down the aisle unaccompanied, showcasing their independence and making a bold statement. This option allows each bride to shine individually and can be a powerful way to start the ceremony.
• Walking together: The brides may decide to walk down the aisle together, symbolizing the start of their journey as a married couple. This option emphasizes their unity and can be a romantic gesture.
• Friends or pets: Brides can also be escorted by a close friend or even a beloved pet, although it is essential to check with the venue regarding any restrictions on animals.

Ultimately, the choice of who walks the brides down the aisle is a personal decision, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. The important thing is to select an option that feels meaningful and reflective of the couple's values and relationships.

Wedding attire

When it comes to wedding attire for two brides, there are many ways to go about it. The most important thing is that each bride feels authentic and comfortable on their big day.

Firstly, it is worth noting that matching dresses or suits are not necessary, but similar levels of formality are a good idea. Hair, makeup, and bouquets can help unify the look, even if the dresses are different styles. For instance, one dress could be sleek and simple, and the other beaded and glitzy.

If you are looking for a fun and versatile option, bridal separates are a great choice. These are two or more pieces of clothing that are meant to be worn together or mixed and matched. Bridal separates can include a range of styles, such as crop tops and maxi skirts, bustiers and pants, or even a fun, festive crop top and pant set. You can also wear a bridal separate set as a second look, changing into something more casual or sparkly for the reception or after-party.

If you are looking for a more traditional wedding dress, you can still personalize it and make it your own. For example, you could wear a kimono that symbolizes your heritage and culture, or a non-white dress, such as a beaded slate blue number, or a red dress instead of white.

Ultimately, what you decide to wear on your wedding day is a personal choice and there are many options to choose from.

Vows and rings

Vows

Vows can be traditional, or they can be personalised. If you are writing your own vows, you may want to include the following:

• An expression of your love for your partner.
• A reaffirmation of your unwavering support.
• Personal stories about your relationship.
• Real promises that you will uphold throughout your marriage.
• An acknowledgement of the support you have received from friends and family, and a request for their continued support.

Rings

Rings are usually exchanged as part of the vows, but they can also be exchanged separately. The ring exchange is a symbol of the commitment two people are making to each other. You can write your own ring vows, or use traditional wording such as:

• "With this ring, I thee wed."
• "With this ring, I ask you to be my (wife/husband/partner), to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you, for time and all eternity."
• "I give you this ring as a symbol of my love; and with all that I am and all that I have, I honour you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Kiss and unity ceremony

A wedding ceremony involving two brides is a beautiful celebration of love. After exchanging vows, the brides may seal their marriage with a kiss, followed by a unity ceremony to symbolise their union. Here are some creative and meaningful unity ceremony ideas for two brides:

Unity Candle Ceremony

The unity candle ceremony is a popular choice, representing the joining of two people and their families. Each bride can light a taper candle, then together they light a larger centre candle, symbolising their new marriage. This can be done with or without the inclusion of family members. For instance, the mothers of the brides can light the taper candles as they walk down the aisle, signifying the union of the two families.

Sand Pouring Ceremony

The sand pouring ceremony is a beautiful symbol of unity, where each bride pours sand from individual vases into a shared vessel, creating a layered pattern. The sand can be different colours, representing each bride, and over time, the colours will mix, symbolising the blending of their lives. This is a wonderful option for beach or destination weddings, using sand from meaningful locations.

Lasso Ceremony

The Lasso Ceremony is a tradition in Mexican, Filipino and Spanish cultures. After exchanging vows, an officiant, parent or relative drapes a floral garland or rosary in the shape of the figure eight over the brides' shoulders, symbolising their unity. The lasso is worn throughout the service and then given to the brides as a reminder of their commitment to each other.

Handfasting Ceremony

Handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition where the brides' hands are tied together with ribbons or cords to symbolise their union. Each coloured cord has a special meaning, such as white for purity or red for passion. This ritual can be included in any religious or secular wedding.

Wine Unity Ceremony

Wine is a symbol of life and prosperity, and in this ceremony, the brides pour two different wines into a single glass, creating a blend. They then take a sip together, representing the blending of their individual lives.

These unity ceremony ideas offer a blend of traditional and unique options, allowing the couple to add a personal and memorable touch to their wedding celebration.

Recessional

The recessional is the final part of the wedding ceremony, when the newlyweds lead the wedding party back down the aisle, usually to cheers and blessings from the guests. The order is the reverse of the processional, with the newlyweds at the front, followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen, the maid of honour and best man, and the parents of the couple.

In a traditional wedding, the processional begins with the mother of the bride, followed by the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer. The bride is the last to make her entrance, escorted by her father. In a double wedding, with two brides, there are a few options for how to handle the processional and recessional. If the two brides are siblings, each could be escorted by one parent, or there could be two aisles so that both brides can be escorted by the same parent. If both brides want to be escorted by the same parent, a flower girl can walk ahead of the second bride, giving the parent time to return to the aisle and escort the second bride.

For the recessional, the two brides and their partners can lead the way, followed by the rest of the wedding party in reverse order of the processional.

Frequently asked questions