Etiquette Q&A: "Whose Parents Walk First During the Processional?" (2024)

FAQs

Etiquette Q&A: "Whose Parents Walk First During the Processional?"? ›

The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn.

Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.

"If the bride's father is escorting her down the aisle, we recommend the rest of the processional is ordered like this: father of the groom and groom's stepmother, stepmother of the bride and escort, mother of the groom and groom's stepfather, and mother of the bride and bride's stepfather." In terms of seating, the ...

This would be considered a traditional order of walking down the aisle: start with the officiant and groom, followed by family members - grandparents, parents of the groom, and mother of the bride. Next is the wedding party, ring bearer, and flower girl. Lastly, the bride enters, escorted by the father of the bride.

In many cultures, it's traditional to have both the mother and father walk their daughter down the aisle. Some brides may find this more suitable rather than choosing just one parent to do the honor. If you prefer to be escorted by both your mom and dad, Erb says go for it!

If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.

​Everyone exists essentially in the opposite order as how they walked in. The Bride and Groom of course lead the way, followed by the Maid of Honor and Best Man, the rest of the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, Parents of the Bride and Groom, Grandparents of the Bride and Groom and then the Officiant.

In the tradition, the bride's father is on her right and mother on her left as they walk toward the chuppah. You can swap the sides, but it's a heartfelt way to include both of your parents in your wedding ceremony.

IN THE PROCESSIONAL

If you have a birthfather you can have them both walk you down the aisle. If they don't get along or that just doesn't feel right to you, another option is to have your stepdad walk you down half of the way, and then your birth father walks you towards your groom.

What is the etiquette for the wedding processional? ›

the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.

Family processional: If the mother or father of either member of the couple has passed away, isn't part of their life, or isn't able to attend for any reason, consider having their siblings, grandparents, or another family member walk them down the aisle.

In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the bride's mother before the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer follow. The bride, who is escorted by her father, is the last to make her way down the aisle.

So who walks the bride down the aisle? The answer is anyone! Anyone can walk the bride down the aisle as long as that's what the bride wants on their wedding day. Whether it's the parents, the groom, or someone else, “traditional” doesn't matter unless it's something that makes you feel good about your day.

Some brides sadly lose their fathers before their weddings happen. Other brides feel that another figure in their lives – mothers, siblings, uncles, or grandparents – are better suited for that all-important walk. And some brides feel best walking down the aisle on their own.

However, if you'd regret having your biological father or mother give you away, then you'll have to talk with them. Calmly explain that you would love to have them in attendance at your wedding. However, you are the bride and you are the one with the right to decide who walks you down the aisle.

The groom's parents can also walk down the aisle together, followed by the groom as he walks alone. Or the groom might opt to use one of the above options, such as walking down the aisle with both of his parents.

“Fathers walking their daughter down the aisle and giving their daughter, the bride, away represented a transfer of ownership from her father to her new husband.” Though its roots are decidedly antiquated, that fact doesn't necessarily mean we should throw away the tradition all together.

Chief among father of the groom duties is walking the groom's mother down the aisle. If the groom's parents are divorced and the father is remarried, they should, instead, escort their new spouse down the aisle and to their seat. In certain ceremonies, the father of the groom will also walk their son down the aisle.