George Boyle
Wedding aisle runners are a long piece of fabric placed in the centre aisle of a wedding ceremony venue. They are a wedding tradition, adding a decorative element and providing a defined path for the bridal party to walk down. There are various opinions on when the aisle runner should be put down. Some couples prefer to lay it out before guests arrive, while others opt for a dramatic unrolling just before the bridal entrance. Some sources suggest that the runner should be rolled out after the guests have been seated, and a few minutes before the procession begins. The type of venue and wedding theme can influence the choice of aisle runner. For example, a fabric runner is suitable for church weddings, while petal runners are perfect for garden events.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Timing of unrolling | Some prefer it to be laid out before guests arrive, while others opt for a dramatic unrolling just before the bridal entrance. |
| Length of the runner | Should be appropriate for the aisle. It should start from the entrance and end at the altar for a cohesive look. |
| Width of the runner | Usually 3 or 4 feet, but there should be some space left between the runner and the ceremony seating. |
| Direction of unrolling | From the altar to the back of the aisle. |
| Who rolls it out | The wedding coordinator, maitre'd, groomsmen, or ushers. |
| How to secure the runner | Use floral arrangements or weights to keep it in place. |
| How to prevent guests from walking on it | Use a ribbon or rope to block the runner. |
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What You'll Learn
Aisle runner fabric, colour, and pattern
A wedding aisle runner is a long piece of fabric placed on the ground, stretching from the entrance of the venue to the altar. It is a popular wedding tradition, with no set rules, allowing couples to get creative with its fabric, colour, and pattern.
Fabric
Aisle runners are commonly made from polypropylene, a smooth and elegant fabric. For a more luxurious option, velvet aisle runners are also available in a range of colours. If you're going for a rustic or outdoor wedding, burlap fabric is a perfect choice, available in white, cream, and natural colours to match your venue.
Colour
Aisle runners come in a wide range of colours to match any wedding theme and colour scheme. Classic colours include white, cream, and elegant shades. For a bolder statement, you can opt for vibrant colours like red, black, or pink.
Pattern
Aisle runners can also come in various patterns, adding a unique touch to your wedding decor. Patterns range from simple designs like hearts and roses to more intricate styles. You can even find sparkly glitz carpets to add a touch of Hollywood glamour to your wedding.
Remember, the aisle runner is a reflection of your style and creativity, so feel free to choose a fabric, colour, and pattern that speaks to you and complements your wedding theme.
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When to roll out the aisle runner
The timing of rolling out the aisle runner depends on the couple's preference. Some couples prefer to have the aisle runner laid out before the guests arrive, especially if they want to show off a monogram, logo, or other decorations on the runner. However, this comes with the risk of guests stepping on or ripping the runner before the bridal party has a chance to walk down the aisle. To avoid this, some couples choose to have ushers or groomsmen roll out the runner right after the guests have been seated, just before the bridal procession begins. This creates a dramatic entrance for the bride and ensures the runner remains pristine for the wedding party.
If you want to display a monogram or logo on the runner, there are a few things to consider. If you want it to be visible at the front of the aisle, near the altar, you'll need to measure the walkway and place the monogram accordingly. Alternatively, you can have the monogram printed at the back of the runner, where it will be visible to guests as they enter, but won't be walked on.
The direction in which the runner is rolled out is also important. It should be rolled out from the altar towards the back of the aisle, ensuring that the monogram or any other decorations are facing the right way.
Securing the aisle runner is crucial to avoid tripping hazards. Use floral arrangements, weights, or double-sided tape to keep it in place. For outdoor weddings, you can bury the edges of the runner in the ground or use plywood underneath for stability, especially on windy days.
The type of venue and wedding theme may also influence the timing of rolling out the aisle runner. For example, fabric runners are commonly used for church weddings, while petal runners are perfect for garden events. A glam-themed wedding might call for a glitter or sequin runner, while a rustic wedding could feature a burlap runner.
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Aisle runner width
A wedding aisle runner is a long piece of fabric placed on the ground that starts at the entrance or threshold of the wedding ceremony venue and ends at the altar. The aisle runner is usually made of polyester, nylon or canvas. It is typically three to four feet wide, but can be as wide as six feet. A wider aisle runner is ideal for couples with large wedding venues, or for couples who want their wedding party to walk down the aisle side by side.
There are no rules attached to aisle runners, so couples can get creative with the fabric, colour, pattern and design. Aisle runners can be personalised with meaningful decorations, such as a monogram, the wedding date, names, photos or a meaningful quote.
Aisle runners are a favoured wedding tradition, used by couples from different cultural backgrounds and faiths. They are believed to have been invented to protect couples from evil spirits underneath church floors. Over time, aisle runners became popular for practical reasons, such as protecting the bride's gown from dirt and mud. Today, they are used to prevent people from slipping, and to add elegance and flair to the wedding.
There are differing opinions on when the aisle runner should be rolled out. Some couples prefer to have the runner out before guests arrive, while others opt to roll it out after guests are seated, or just before the bridal party walks down the aisle.
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Aisle runner length
A wedding aisle runner is a long piece of fabric placed on the ground that starts at the entrance or threshold of the wedding ceremony venue and ends at the altar. The aisle runner is usually three to four feet wide, but there should be some space left between the runner and the ceremony seating. The length of the runner depends on the length of the walkway, starting at the last row of ceremony seats and ending right before the altar. It is not common for wedding runners to be shorter than the walkway, but the final measurement is up to the couple.
If you want the aisle runner to be set up before the guests arrive, you can rope off the aisle and have guests enter their seats from the outer end of each row. Wedding ushers can escort guests to avoid the aisle runner area. If you want to prevent guests from walking on the runner altogether, you can have someone put it out after all the guests have been seated.
To calculate the overall length of the aisle runner, include an additional 5 to 10 feet between the sitting arrangement and the ceremonial area. The length can be easily measured by considering the number of rows of seats arranged at the venue.
Some couples choose to have the aisle runner rolled out just before the bridal party or the bride walks down the aisle. This ensures that the runner remains pristine and is a good option if you have a monogram or other decorations you want guests to see without risking damage to the runner.
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Aisle runner origins
A wedding aisle runner is a long piece of fabric placed on the ground, often white, that starts at the entrance of the wedding ceremony venue and ends at the altar. It is a favoured wedding tradition used by couples from different cultural backgrounds and faiths.
The exact origins of the aisle runner tradition are unknown, but it is believed that they were originally used to protect couples from the evil spirits lurking underneath church floors. Over time, the purpose of the aisle runner shifted from spiritual to non-spiritual. In the days when roads were unpaved, guests would arrive at the church with dirty shoes from the streets, and it was considered improper for the bride's gown to drag in the mud. Thus, the aisle runner served to protect her dress from getting dirty.
Today, aisle runners are still used to keep the wedding party's attire clean, especially for outdoor weddings. They also add elegance and flair to the ceremony, with many couples choosing to personalise their aisle runners with monograms, logos, custom designs, or images that match their wedding theme or colour scheme.
There are no rules attached to aisle runners, allowing couples to get creative with their fabric, colour, and pattern. They can be made from fabric, PVC, or acrylic, and can be customised with hand-painted designs, glitter, and embellishments. Aisle runners can also be used to cover up floorboard scratches, gravel, or patchy grass that may detract from wedding photos.
The timing of when the aisle runner is unrolled is up to the couple, with some preferring to have it laid out before guests arrive, while others opt for a dramatic unrolling just before the bridal entrance.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no definitive answer, but there are several popular options. Some couples prefer to lay out the aisle runner before the guests arrive, while others opt for a dramatic unrolling just before the bridal entrance.
This option allows guests to see the aisle runner and any decorations or monograms on it.
This option ensures that the aisle runner remains pristine before the bride walks down the aisle.
This depends on the venue. If the venue has a coordinator, they can roll it out for you. If it is at a church, the maitre'd or ushers may be responsible. Otherwise, you can ask groomsmen or non-best men to do it.
To avoid tripping hazards, secure the aisle runner at both ends with floral arrangements or weights. If it is on a beach, dig shallow trenches and bury the edges in the sand. If it is on a hardwood floor, use double-sided floor tape.
