XP: from Ceremony Ideas: How should the bridesmaids walk down the aisle?

SCogs18

I posted this on Ceremony Ideas, but I'd love your opinions too.

The chapel we are marrying in is rather unique in it's design.  It is built on a hill and the start of the aisle is at the top of a flight of almost 30 stairs with a landing in the middle.  I know I will be walking down the steps with my father, but should the bridesmaids walk down them alone?  There is a side door under the steps they could come out of and just walk down the real aisle, just not the steps.  My mother and the planner have made two points against them walking down the steps:

1.  It could be dangerous for them to walk in long gowns down stairs with no escort.
2.  It will be more dramatic to have the doors open and JUST me and my dad come down the steps.

However, at the same time I'd love to have them walk down the steps because:

1.  These girls are my best friends and I want/need them with me right before I get married.  If they come through the side door it will just be me and my dad alone in the hallway.
2.  It may look inconsistant.
3.  People may not expect to see me come through the door/down the steps since no one else will have done so.




Sorry!  I can't figure out how to rotate the photo!

We have already decided the mothers/grandmothers WILL come through the side door.  My mother had a nasty fall down a flight of stairs this fall and spend a month in intensive care and I have zero desire for a repeat performance on wedding day (she's fine now, thankfully).

Also, the bridesmaids dresses are long, but they can wear any shoes they want.

morenachica110

Have you asked the girls? If they can wear any shoe they want, they might pick a lower heel (or at least something they know they can walk in). If I can choose my shoes, I always pick usually a low heel since I have knee problems. But I think I could make the stair walk for you. Maybe you guys could practice beforehand to see if it's difficult on either of them?

Johnsonk313

Can you wait until the rehearsal to decide? Then you can try it both ways and decide which one you like better.

Clarustin2011

[QUOTE]Can you wait until the rehearsal to decide? Then you can try it both ways and decide which one you like better.
Posted by Johnsonk313[/QUOTE]

This. I'd ask the girls to bring the shoes they would be wearing that day and practice as well.

lbarr088

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_september-2012-weddings_xp-from-ceremony-ideas-how-should-the-bridesmaids-walk-down-the-aisle?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:a464c18c-2e4d-469b-8eae-3865079cb9cfDiscussion:eeb8c769-0754-46b5-9bd7-f3c1dd2b0202Post:c1bc125c-7265-4bea-924d-335ca06082d3">Re: XP: from Ceremony Ideas: How should the bridesmaids walk down the aisle?</a>:
[QUOTE]Can you wait until the rehearsal to decide? Then you can try it both ways and decide which one you like better.
Posted by Johnsonk313[/QUOTE]

<div>I like this idea.</div><div>
</div><div>I also like the idea of just you and your dad walking down, it makes it special and will stand out.</div>

jacquiroxx

Ditto PPs.  Ask the girls/let them practice before deciding.  I agree with your mom & planner that it would be more dramatic for only you & dad to walk down the steps, and have the girls enter through the side door.  But if you can't accept the idea that they won't be there in the minutes right before the ceremony, it's worth at least trying it on rehearsal night and making your decision then.

If it were me, I'd have them enter through the side door and then do the steps myself.  I very much look forward to those moments I have alone with my mum (who is walking down the aisle) and I also love how it's dramatic since no one else did it before you.

wineo929

Loving the idea about waiting until the RD.

Personally, I think I love the dramatic statement of you being the only one walking down the stairs, but I also see how it would be really special to have the girls waiting with you. My girls won't be with me, as I'm getting married outside and I'll be with my brother (walking me down the aisle) waiting in a big van until it's time to make my enterance. It's the only way I'll be concealed!

SCogs18

[QUOTE]I'll be with my brother (walking me down the aisle) waiting in a big van until it's time to make my enterance. It's the only way I'll be concealed!
Posted by jparli[/QUOTE]

I was in an outdoor wedding in October and that is exactly what we did!  We looked a little funny because we rolled up in a white creeper van with no windows, but it was the only solution we could think of!