Divided Aisle- how to handle it?

slb40

We're getting married in an outdoor chapel with amphitheater seating. There's an aisle down the middle, but since it's all stairs, there's a railing smack in the middle of the aisle, and we've been having trouble trying to find a way to work with this. It's a bit too narrow for two people to walk down together on the same side of the railing. Looking for ideas on how to organize the processional, especially me and my mother (she's walking me down the aisle in place of my father). Thanks in advance!

Sugargirl1019

Hmm.. is it a low railing? I would maybe send the processional down together in pairs with girls on the left, men on the right, and they could still hold the man's elbow or something? Same for you and your mom - kinda pretend that the railing isn't there. But I'd be glad for it as a safety to prevent falling down the stairs!

slb40

It's normal elbow height, and worse (I forgot to mention) made of wood and about 6" thick on top. We'd have to stick our elbows or arms out like a chicken wing, otherwise I'd be terrified a dress would snag on it.

Sugargirl1019

Oh goodness. Well I suppose your FI can't come through first with a chainsaw, right?

doeydo

For the people in the wedding party I would do it in single file with one hand on the railing just in case (you wouldn't want your MOH to trip over her dress and then fall down the stairs).  Maybe one person could go down on the left side, then the next on the right and keep alternating?  Or, just keep them all on the same side.  
As for you and your mom getting down the aisle, I am unsure how to handle that one.  I did a quick Google of "bride being escorted down stairs" and that didn't really help.  

Sugargirl1019

Have you entertained the thought of walking by yourself? It's perfectly fine to.. although I know you wanted your mom to walk you originally. But with this difficult divided aisle, I think you might have to be different as well.

slb40

Sugargirl1019 said:

Have you entertained the thought of walking by yourself? It's perfectly fine to.. although I know you wanted your mom to walk you originally. But with this difficult divided aisle, I think you might have to be different as well.

That was my original plan, but then I'd still be lost as to which side of this railing I should walk down. My mom walking me down the aisle is a BIG deal for her, and it doesn't bother me, so I'd really like to keep it in the processional. It would just seem really out of place to walk down with her without linking elbows. Like 'hey, see? you're in the aisle at the same time as I'm in the aisle! how you doing over there?'

slb40

doeydo said:

For the people in the wedding party I would do it in single file with one hand on the railing just in case (you wouldn't want your MOH to trip over her dress and then fall down the stairs).  Maybe one person could go down on the left side, then the next on the right and keep alternating?  Or, just keep them all on the same side.  
As for you and your mom getting down the aisle, I am unsure how to handle that one.  I did a quick Google of "bride being escorted down stairs" and that didn't really help.  

I love the idea of alternating bridesmaids and groomsmen, especially since we might have an extra groomsman.

[Deleted User]

You could hold one another up to the stairs, walk side by side down the stairs, and then hold one another again at the end of the stairs

sandwed1018

I would start my wrapping the railing in a fabric like tulle so that the wood doesn't snag your dress. Then I would try sending the wedding party down on alternate sides of the railing. When it is your turn, you on the right and mom on the left going down. If you both let your hand skin the top of the railing it would look like you are still being escorted down by her.

slb40

prettybirdy- I get exactly what you're saying, and that's not a bad idea...

sandwed- The tulle is a brilliant idea. I now feel silly for not thinking of it sooner/first.

crimson- I would, but the entirety of the seating is on the slope, so anything behind the last row would only be seen by said last row, everyone else would be physically below them.

Thanks folks for the inspiration!

princessleia22

Honestly, I don't see any problem with having people walking on both sides without actually touching.  The overall concept is still there and people will still know that your mom is escorting you down the aisle.