Bridesmaids' Walk: Choosing The Right Side Of The Aisle

The wedding processional is a memorable part of any wedding ceremony, marking the beginning of a couple's marriage journey. While the specific order of the processional may vary across different cultures and religions, the bridesmaids' walk down the aisle is a highlight of the event. In this context, the aisle refers to the path that the wedding party walks down to reach the altar or ceremony space. The bridesmaids, as part of the wedding party, play a crucial role in this procession, and their entrance is often anticipated by the guests.

Who walks down the aisle first?

The order of a wedding processional is flexible and can be customised to suit different cultural and religious traditions, as well as personal preferences. Here is an overview of who walks down the aisle first and the different options available:

Christian Wedding Processional Order

In a Christian wedding, the processional typically begins with the officiant walking down the aisle, which signals that the wedding is about to start. Alternatively, the officiant can enter from the side of the venue.

After the officiant, the groom is the next to walk down the aisle, either solo or accompanied by their parents. The best man follows the groom, either walking in from the side to take their place at the altar or walking down the aisle as the last groomsman.

Next, the groomsmen walk down the aisle, followed by the bridesmaids. The bridesmaids can walk in pairs with the groomsmen or individually.

The flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) precede the bride, carrying petals or rings, respectively.

Finally, the bride makes her grand entrance, traditionally escorted by her father. However, the bride may also choose to be accompanied by both parents, just her mother, or another loved one.

Jewish Wedding Processional Order

In a Jewish wedding, the rabbi and/or cantor are usually the first to walk towards the altar, standing under the traditional chuppah (wedding canopy).

Next, the grandparents of the couple walk down the aisle, with the bride's grandparents taking their seats on the right side, followed by the groom's grandparents on the left.

The groomsmen walk in pairs or individually, and the best man walks solo, taking his place next to the groom.

The groom then walks down the aisle, accompanied by both parents.

The bridesmaids proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride.

The maid or matron of honour walks alone.

The ring bearer(s) and/or flower girl(s) follow, and then take their seats with their parents.

Finally, the bride walks down the aisle, escorted by both parents. In a Jewish ceremony, the parents of the bride and groom can stand under the chuppah with the couple during the ceremony.

Hindu Wedding Processional Order

A Hindu wedding processional begins with the groom's entrance, or "Baraat," a festive celebration where the groom arrives on a white horse, surrounded by family and friends.

The bride's family welcomes the groom and his entourage, and they proceed towards the mandap (traditional Hindu arch).

The bride then makes her entrance, walking down the aisle with her family, wedding party, and friends. Her bridal party walks ahead of her to build anticipation for the big reveal. The bride proceeds to the mandap, where she and the groom exchange garlands.

Nondenominational Wedding Processional Order

In a nondenominational wedding, the processional usually starts with the officiant, who takes their place at the altar.

The groom and groomsmen can choose to be at the altar before the processional or walk down the aisle. The best man follows the groom's lead.

The groomsmen and bridesmaids typically walk in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the couple.

The maid or matron of honour walks alone after the other bridal party members.

The flower girl(s) and/or ring bearer(s) walk down the aisle one after the other and then take their seats.

The bride may be escorted by her father, mother, or both. Alternatively, she may decide to walk unaccompanied or meet her parents halfway.

Modern Wedding Processional Order

A modern wedding processional often begins with the officiant walking down the aisle and standing at the altar.

Next, the parents of the couple can walk together or be escorted by their children or step-parents.

The wedding party, including bridesmaids and groomsmen, can walk individually or in pairs, typically starting with those standing farthest from the couple.

Junior attendants, such as a ring bearer or flower girl, precede the bride and/or groom, who can choose to walk alone, with their parents, or together as a couple.

While these are some of the most common wedding processional orders, it is important to note that there are no rigid rules, and couples can personalise the order to suit their preferences and cultural or religious traditions.

What is the traditional order of a wedding processional?

The traditional order of a wedding processional varies depending on the type of wedding. 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 usually signals the start of the processional. After she is seated, the groom will traditionally take his place at the altar, either entering from the side or walking down the aisle solo. The best man then enters, either from the side or as the last groomsman. The groomsmen walk down the aisle one by one, followed by the bridesmaids walking down one by one or in pairs. The maid or matron of honour follows, and before the ceremony, she assists the bride with her dress, veil, and train. The flower girl(s) and ring bearer(s) precede the bride, and the ring bearer traditionally carries the wedding rings. Finally, the bride and her father enter, and the father "gives her away" before taking his seat.

Traditional Jewish Wedding Processional Order

The Rabbi and/or Cantor are the first to walk towards the altar, signalling the beginning of the processional. The bride's grandparents walk down the aisle first, followed by the groom's grandparents, and they sit on their respective sides. The groomsmen walk in pairs, and the best man walks solo after them. The groom then walks down the aisle with his parents, and they stand under the chuppah during the ceremony. The bridesmaids proceed in pairs, and the maid or matron of honour walks alone. The ring bearer(s) and/or flower girl(s) follow, and then the bride's parents escort the bride down the aisle.

Traditional Hindu Wedding Processional Order

The groom's entrance, accompanied by his family and friends in a celebration called a Baraat, marks the beginning of a Hindu wedding ceremony. The bride's family welcomes the groom, and they exchange gifts. The bride then enters, walking down the aisle with her family, wedding party, and friends. Her bridal party walks ahead of her for the big reveal, and the couple exchanges garlands before sitting under the mandap to begin the ceremony.

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 or choose to 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 them. The flower girl(s) and/or ring bearer(s) walk one after the other. The bride may be escorted by her father, mother, or both, or she may decide to walk without an escort.

Traditional Catholic Wedding Processional Order

The priest, groom, and best man enter the ceremony from the side and take their places at the altar, with the priest in the centre. The bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs, and once they reach the end of the aisle, they part ways. The maid of honour walks after them and takes her place next to the bride. The flower girl and ring bearer can walk together or with the ring bearer entering first, and they carry the wedding rings and a basket of petals, respectively. Finally, the bride is escorted down the aisle by her father.

Traditional Christian Ceremony (UK)

The officiant takes their place at the altar, usually entering from the side. The groom and best man then enter from the side and take their places, with the groom facing away from the bride. The bride and her father then lead the procession of bridesmaids, flower girls, and pageboys. The bride takes her place next to the groom, and her father gives her away before taking his seat. The rest of the wedding party walks down the aisle in pairs, and the bride gives her bouquet to the chief bridesmaid.

What are some modern alternatives to the father-daughter tradition?

The tradition of the father walking the bride down the aisle has evolved to accommodate modern-day nuptials and personal values. Here are some alternatives to the father-daughter walk:

• Walk down the aisle solo: Some brides choose to walk down the aisle by themselves as a sign of their independence and to make it more of a spotlight moment.
• Accompanied by mother and/or sibling: Many brides decide to honour their mother or sibling by having them accompany the bride to the altar, especially if they played a fundamental role in their life.
• Honouring late parents: Some brides carry memorabilia that reminds them of their late parents as they walk down the aisle.
• Hand-in-hand with partner: There has been a rise in couples walking down the aisle together, hand-in-hand, as a symbol of the start of their lives together.
• Eliminating the aisle walk: Some couples, especially those with tense family situations or LGBTQ+ couples, choose to eliminate the aisle walk altogether to move away from the heteronormativity of the processional.
• Accompanied by both parents: In Jewish and Hindu ceremonies, it is customary for both parents to walk the bride down the aisle, and they stand under the chuppah or mandap with the couple during the ceremony.
• Accompanied by step-father: If a bride has a step-father who has been a significant presence in her life, she may choose to have him walk her down the aisle.
• Accompanied by a friend or parent figure: A close friend or parent figure can also accompany the bride down the aisle.
• Father walks bride halfway: The bride can be accompanied by her partner for the second half of the walk, after being walked halfway down the aisle by her father.
• Father's presence in other ways: The father can still be honoured and included in the ceremony in other ways, such as through a father-daughter dance or by having him greet and hug the couple at the end of the aisle.

Ultimately, the decision about who walks the bride down the aisle should be a personal choice that symbolises the couple's core values and what feels most comfortable for them.

What is the history of the father walking the bride down the aisle?

The tradition of the father walking the bride down the aisle has evolved to suit modern nuptials and personal values, with brides now opting to walk down the aisle solo, with both parents, or even with their future spouse. But where did this custom come from?

The History of the Father Walking the Bride Down the Aisle

The custom of the father walking the bride down the aisle is rooted in the days of arranged marriages, when a woman's father would transfer his daughter from his household to that of her groom. The bride was considered a "financial liability", and the father's presence served to ensure the groom did not back out of the arrangement.

In the past, the father would "give away" the bride, but today, the tradition is seen as more of a symbolic "letting go". The father's role is now viewed as a way to honour the father-daughter bond and to show support for his daughter as she begins a new chapter of her life.

Alternatives to the Father-Daughter Walk

While the father-daughter walk is traditional, it is not a custom that everyone wants to partake in, especially those who are uncomfortable with the symbolism of the bride being "given away". Today, brides can choose to be accompanied by another family member, walk down the aisle solo, or even walk hand-in-hand with their future spouse. Ultimately, the decision should be a personal choice that symbolises an individual's core values.

What are some tips for getting good photos of the bridal party?

Capturing the bridal party in photographs is one of the most challenging tasks for a wedding photographer. Here are some tips to ensure you get the best shots:

Planning and Preparation

• Get to know your clients and their wedding party ahead of time. Find out how many people are in the wedding party, which groupings and poses are important to the couple, the location of the photos, and how long the shoot will take.
• Find out who the best man/woman and maid/man of honour are, as well as if there are any couples or siblings in the bridal party.
• Learn everyone's names. This will make the wedding party feel important and help you to direct them more easily.
• Photograph the children first, as they will have a shorter attention span.
• Discuss with the couple whether they want formal or fun photos.
• Ask the couple if there are any divorced or bereaved individuals who should not be posed together.
• Explain your photo ideas to the group and show them the results to build trust.
• Stay on top of the details, such as stray hairs, crooked ties, and falling boutonnieres.

Posing

• Mix and match the wedding party for a more interesting look, rather than separating them by gender.
• Keep them moving. Get the wedding party to walk, skip, jump, or snuggle for authentic and joyful photos.
• If using stairs as a backdrop, include some seating to increase your posing options.
• Use a low camera angle to capture powerful poses, especially for men.
• Bring the wedding party cheek-to-cheek and focus on their smiling faces for a sweet, simple portrait.
• Capture the reactions of the wedding party by giving them a task, such as striking a pose or doing a dance move.
• Instruct the wedding party to laugh loudly and with abandon. Their fake laughs will soon turn into genuine smiles.
• Capture the wedding party's silhouettes with an over-the-shoulder pose.

Other Tips

• Take photos of the bridal party getting ready, such as putting on their makeup or having a drink.
• Capture the moment when the bridesmaids see the bride's complete look for the first time.
• Take photos of the couple and crew in their element, such as sharing a shot or dancing.
• Take a group shot of the wedding party walking just a few paces ahead of the couple to bring elegance and movement to the photo.

Frequently asked questions