Questions about procession

cbrown828

Surely I am overthinking this, but I know someone out there has the answer...

I know it is tradition for the mother of the bride to be seated last. My grandmother will be the only grandparent attending the wedding. Where does she go in the order? Is she seated first, before the groom's parents, then my mom? Or do the groom's parents go first, then my Memaw, then my mom?

I just had an idea. We are not having ushers, but can I have my brother escort my mom and Memaw at the same time, after the groom's parents?

Second question- does it matter which of my dad's arms I take when he walks me to the altar? He has limited use of his right arm due to some medical complications, and it can be painful for him to be touched on his arm/shoulder/chest area. I'm afraid I may lean on him due to my shoes or nerves, and I wouldn't want to cause any pain. Am I ok to be on his left side?

ETA: I know I have a long time to sort these details out, but I stayed home sick from work today and this is what happens when I am bored

lovesclimbing

It very much matters which side of your dad you walk on. If you are going to be on FI's left side once you reach the front, you should walk up on Dad's left side and viceversa. If you don't, it will make Dad handing you off a bit awkward. I know because I accidentally grabbed my dad's right arm when I was going to end up on DH's left. So once we hit the front of the church, it was kind of awkward because Dad was supposed to place my right arm in DH's arm. But since Dad was holding my left arm, he couldn't really do that easily without turning half way around. I hope that makes sense and isn't too complicated.

cbrown828

It does make sense, thank you. I think if I have to choose between a little awkwardness and potentially causing my dad pain, I'll go with the former. I guess we can use the rehearsal to see what works and what dad is comfortable with. Thanks for the input (it does make sense when I take a second to visualize it!).

lovesclimbing

In Response to Re:Questions about procession:[QUOTE]It does make sense, thank you. I think if I have to choose between a little awkwardness and potentially causing my dad pain, I'll go with the former. I guess we can use the rehearsal to see what works and what dad is comfortable with. Thanks for the input it does make sense when I take a second to visualize it!. Posted by cbrown828[/QUOTE]

True. And you could always base which side of the church your FI stands on off of which side of your dad you can walk on to avoid both pain and awkwardness.

MairePoppy

I have always seen this: groom's GP, bride's GP, MOG and FOG, MOB with her escort. At my daughter's wedding the MOG insisted that the proper order is groom's GP, MOG and FOG, bride's GP, MOG and her escort. The groom's family is from the other side of the country, so I figured it was a regional preference. It didn't make any difference to us, so we did it her way.  Your brother could escort your mom and Memaw together or the two women could escort each other. Escorts dont' have to be male.

Traditionally, the bride walks on her dad's left arm, but it doens't make much difference. You should do whatever is comfortable for you and your dad. It shouldn't take much maneuvering to get where you need to be.

cbrown828

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_customs-traditions_questions-about-procession?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:36Discussion:4600b3e7-a018-46c3-a1ab-d4f170b176a9Post:8164a039-78cd-4acd-9084-a881fa7cb880">Re: Questions about procession</a>:
[QUOTE]I have always seen this: groom's GP, bride's GP, MOG and FOG, MOB with her escort. At my daughter's wedding the MOG insisted that the proper order is groom's GP, MOG and FOG, bride's GP, MOG and her escort. The groom's family is from the other side of the country, so I figured it was a regional preference. It didn't make any difference to us, so we did it her way.  Your brother could escort your mom and Memaw together or the two women could escort each other. Escorts dont' have to be male. Traditionally, the bride walks on her dad's left arm, but it doens't make much difference. You should do whatever is comfortable for you and your dad. It shouldn't take much maneuvering to get where you need to be.
Posted by MairePoppy[/QUOTE]

Thank you very much. This is very helpful. I will keep your experience in mind when we get to actually sorting that out. I hadn't thought of having my Mom and Memaw escort each other- I like it!