George Boyle
The order of bridesmaids walking down the aisle depends on the type of wedding ceremony. In a traditional Christian ceremony, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle in pairs, following the groomsmen, with the maid of honour going last. In a Jewish ceremony, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle in pairs or solo, and the maid of honour walks alone. In a Hindu ceremony, the bride walks down the aisle with the rest of her family, wedding party, and friends. In a nondenominational ceremony, the bridesmaids walk down the aisle in pairs or individually, and the maid of honour walks alone after the other bridal party members. Ultimately, the couple can decide the order of their bridal party and create their own processional order.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First person to walk down the aisle | Mother of the bride |
| Second person to walk down the aisle | Officiant |
| Third person to walk down the aisle | Groom |
| Fourth person to walk down the aisle | Best man |
| Fifth person to walk down the aisle | Groomsmen |
| Sixth person to walk down the aisle | Bridesmaids |
| Seventh person to walk down the aisle | Maid of honor |
| Eighth person to walk down the aisle | Flower girl and ring bearer |
| Ninth person to walk down the aisle | Father of the bride and bride |
What You'll Learn
Who walks down the aisle first?
The processional order varies depending on the type of wedding ceremony. Here is a breakdown of the processional order for different types of weddings.
Traditional Christian Wedding Processional Order
The mother of the bride's entrance typically signals the start of the processional. The groom then takes his place at the head of the altar, either entering from the side of the venue or walking down the aisle solo. The best man may enter from the side or walk in as the last groomsman. The groomsmen open the processional, walking down the aisle one by one. The bridesmaids follow, also walking one by one before the maid or matron of honour. The flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) precede the bride, and then the father of the bride walks the bride down the aisle.
Traditional Jewish Wedding Processional Order
The rabbi and/or cantor are generally the first to walk towards the altar, followed by the bride's grandparents, then the groom's grandparents. The best man walks in after the groomsmen, and the groom is accompanied by both his parents. The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, followed by the maid or matron of honour. The ring bearer and/or flower girl follow, and then the bride walks down the aisle with both her parents.
Traditional Hindu Wedding Processional Order
The groom's entrance, accompanied by his family and friends, marks the beginning of a Hindu wedding ceremony. The bride then walks down the aisle with the rest of her family, wedding party and friends.
Traditional Nondenominational Wedding Processional Order
The officiant is usually already standing at the altar to mark the beginning of the processional. The groom and his groomsmen may already be at the altar before the processional starts, or the groom may walk down the aisle. The best man follows the groom's decision. The groomsmen and bridesmaids typically walk in pairs, and the maid or matron of honour walks alone after the other bridal party members. The flower girl(s) and/or ring bearer(s) precede the bride and/or the bride's parents.
Modern Wedding Processional Order
The officiant begins the ceremony by walking down the aisle and standing at the altar. The couple's parents can walk down the aisle together or be escorted by their children or step-parents. The wedding party members can walk down the aisle individually or in pairs. The junior attendants precede the couple, who then enter together or with their parents.
Catholic Wedding Processional Order
The priest, groom, and best man enter the church from a side door and take their places at the altar before the rest of the VIPs. The groom's parents walk down the aisle together, and the mother of the bride may walk solo or be escorted by a family member. The bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs, and the maid of honour walks last. The ring bearer and/or flower girl round out the procession before the bride.
LGBTQIA+ Wedding Processional Order
The officiant may walk down the aisle or enter from the side of the venue. If the couple is processing together, their parents walk down the aisle after the officiant. The wedding party members may walk down the aisle individually or in pairs. The junior attendants precede the couple, who then enter together.
UK Christian Wedding Processional Order
The officiant takes their place at the altar, and the groom and best man enter from the side. The bride and her father then lead the procession of bridesmaids, flower girls, and page boys.
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Who walks with the mother of the bride?
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by a close male relative, such as her son, brother, grandson, or the father of the bride. If the mother of the bride does not have a son, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman may walk with her.
In a traditional Christian wedding ceremony, the mother of the bride is the last person to be escorted down the aisle before the bridal party. In a Jewish ceremony, the mother of the bride is escorted down the aisle by both her husband and the father of the groom. In Hindu weddings, the mother of the bride is escorted by her husband and the father of the groom to the mandap, the traditional Hindu arch.
Ultimately, the couple can make adjustments to the wedding procession to suit their preferences.
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What is the role of the best man?
The best man is a key part of the wedding processional, which marks the beginning of the wedding ceremony. The processional includes the wedding party, flower girls, ring bearers, and the bride and groom. The best man's role in the processional can vary depending on the type of wedding and the couple's preferences. Here is an overview of the traditional role of the best man in different types of weddings:
Christian Wedding
In a traditional Christian wedding, the best man usually walks in from the side and takes his place at the altar next to the groom. Alternatively, he can walk in as the last groomsman. The best man may also hold the bride's ring or both the bride and groom's rings. If the groom chooses to walk down the aisle, the best man will follow.
Jewish Wedding
In a Jewish wedding, the best man typically walks down the aisle solo after the groomsmen and takes his place as the groom's right-hand man at the altar.
Catholic Wedding
In a Catholic wedding, the priest, groom, and best man usually enter the church from a side door and take their places at the altar before the rest of the wedding party.
Hindu Wedding
The role of the best man in a Hindu wedding can vary, but traditionally, the groom is accompanied by his family and friends during the baraat (groom's entrance), which marks the beginning of the ceremony.
Nondenominational Wedding
In a nondenominational wedding, the best man's role can be flexible. If the groom enters from the side and waits at the altar, the best man should be by his side. If the groom chooses to walk down the aisle, the best man will follow.
In addition to the processional, the best man also has other important duties before and during the wedding. These may include:
- Organising the groom's bachelor party.
- Helping the groom get ready on the wedding day.
- Holding the wedding rings during the ceremony.
- Signing the marriage certificate as a witness.
- Giving a speech at the wedding reception.
- Dancing with the maid of honour.
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What is the role of the maid of honour?
The role of the maid of honour is to be the bride's right-hand woman throughout her engagement and wedding day. The bride typically chooses her BFF, sibling, or a very close friend to be her maid of honour. The maid of honour is responsible for leading the bridesmaids and ensuring they fulfil their duties.
The maid of honour is usually responsible for planning the bachelorette party and ensuring the bridesmaids' dresses are ordered on time. She also acts as a point of contact for guests and a point of support for the bride, assisting with any tasks and providing suggestions and advice.
On the wedding day, the maid of honour gets ready with the bridal party and helps the bride get dressed. She also acts as a messenger between the couple, delivering any notes or gifts they exchange before the ceremony. The maid of honour is responsible for bringing an emergency kit for the bride and ensuring she stays calm and that things run on schedule.
During the ceremony, the maid of honour walks down the aisle after the bridesmaids and before the flower girl, ring bearer, and bride. She arranges the bride's train and veil, holds the bride's bouquet and, in the case of an opposite-sex wedding, holds the groom's ring if there is no ring bearer.
At the reception, the maid of honour may stand next to the groom in the receiving line and enter with the best man. She helps to bustle the bride's train and ensures the bride eats, drinks, and stays stress-free. The maid of honour also gives a speech and dances with the best man. Finally, she ensures wedding gifts are collected and any loose ends are tied up.
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What are alternatives to being walked down the aisle by your father?
The traditional wedding processional order sees the bride's father escorting her down the aisle. However, this custom may not suit everyone, and there are many alternatives to this arrangement. Here are some options to consider:
Walking Down the Aisle Alone
Walking solo is a powerful symbol of your independence and a statement that you don't need to be "given away". It is an option for those who want to assert their self-sufficiency and confidence.
Walking Down the Aisle with Your Mother
This option is a beautiful way to honour your mother and her role in raising you. It is also a popular choice for brides with two mothers or those raised by single mothers. It is a powerful display of the bonds between women and a departure from the traditional practice.
Walking Down the Aisle with Both Parents
This option is ideal for brides who want to include both parents in the ceremony and not give one parent all the "giving-away glory". It is also a good choice for brides with two fathers or two mothers, as it avoids the dilemma of having to choose one over the other. This option is traditional at Jewish weddings but can be adopted by anyone.
Walking Down the Aisle with a Stepparent
If you have a close relationship with your stepparent, you may want to include them in the processional. You could have both a parent and a stepparent on each arm or walk halfway with one and the rest of the way with the other.
Walking Down the Aisle with Your Partner
Couples walking down the aisle together is a growing trend and a powerful symbol of equality. It represents entering the ceremony as engaged individuals and leaving as a married couple. It creates sweet, photographable moments as you share the excitement of the day side by side.
There are many other alternatives to the traditional processional, such as walking with a grandparent, a close friend, your children, or even your pet. You could also have two people walk you, with one escorting you halfway and the other taking over for the second half. Ultimately, the processional is a personal choice, and you can customise it to suit your unique family dynamics and priorities.
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Frequently asked questions
The order of a wedding processional depends on religious and cultural customs. However, typically, the mother of the bride comes after the groom and his groomsmen, followed by the groom's parents and the mother of the bride. The bridesmaids and groomsmen then walk down the aisle, either in pairs or individually, followed by the maid of honour. Finally, the bride and her father bring up the rear.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son, another close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman.
The bride can walk down the aisle with her mother, both parents, a grandparent, sibling, or even her own child(ren). Alternatively, she can walk down the aisle alone, with her spouse-to-be, or with a four-legged friend.
You can arrange your wedding party by height, with the shortest people closest to the altar and the tallest farthest away. You can also arrange them by how close you are to each person or by the length of your friendship.
You can include different family members in the processional, such as grandparents, or have the wedding party walk in pairs with a mix of bridesmaids and groomsmen. You could also skip the processional altogether and have everyone arrive via side entrances.
