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parents in processional?

unplainjaneunplainjane member
500 Comments
in Catholic Weddings
i'll be walking down the aisle with my father but should my mother and FI's parents be in the processional as well? if so what order would they come in?
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Re: parents in processional?

  • mica178mica178 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    That's up to you, your family (and future family) and your priest. At BIL/SIL's wedding, two of H's brothers escorted MIL to her seat, and both of SIL's brothers escorted their mother to her seat.  FIL escorted his mother to her seat.  Then the traditional processional followed by SIL escorted by her father.

    I actually don't know how my processional went.  They all arranged it without me, and everyone was in their seat by the time I showed up.  ;)  Yup, I was in a cloud at that time.
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  • ootmother2ootmother2 member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    after all the guests were seated, the music turned to "Hail Mary, Gentle Woman" for the seating of the mothers.

    Then Cannon in D for the bridesmaid to enter and then  "Bridal March" for the bride and her father to walk in.

    so, yes, everyone was included.
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  • clearheavensclearheavens member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments Name Dropper 5 Love Its
    edited December 2011
    Like mica178 said, the answer is about cultural customs and not about liturgical rubrics.  The most important is that everyone stands at the beginning of the Liturgy.

    In the American culture, I observed that even in Catholic ceremonies, it's more common for the wedding party to preceed like in Protestant ceremonies.  That usually means mom+groom's mom light the unity candle, the GMs enter from the side and wait at the altar, then the BMs, the RBs+FGs, [assembly stands] then lastly you+dad.  Since everyone stands when you enter, the focus is more on you, and the feeling people get is that the Liturgy begins with you.  The altar servers and deacon or priest usually greet the B&G at the altar.  If ministers process after the RBs and FGs, everyone would stand then, and that would give more focus on the Liturgy.  (Personally I think that is a good Catholic compromise.)  The groom's dad just stays in the pews.

    In Europe, I believe it's more likely for couples to process together down the aisle.  That means mom+dad, groom's mom+groom's dad, BM+GM, RBs+FGs, [assembly stands] then liturgical ministers (usually the order is lectors, then altar servers, then deacons and priests), then lastly you+groom.  The custom of B&G escorting each other down is more in keeping with Catholic tradition due to the meaning of the Rite of Marriage where the B&G enter equally and freely into the marriage.

    Since your dad is walking you down the aisle, maybe you can do the first?  Or you can do a mixture of the last where your mom either walks in alone or with your brother (if you have one)?  You should ask your parents' and priest's opinion.

    I'm glad you're asking it now and not at the rehearsal when it can be too confusing to make last minute decisions.
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  • doctabroccolidoctabroccoli member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours was:

    First Song:  Grandmothers seated by grandsons.  Then FI's dad and stepmom walked down the aisle together, followed by his mom and her boyfriend.

    Second Song:  Groomsmen and my H entered from the side, then the bridesmaids processed down individually.

    Third Song:  I entered with both of my parents.
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  • Calypso1977Calypso1977 member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 25 Love Its First Answer
    edited December 2011
    usually the mother of the bride is formally seated, and she is seated last before the bridal processional.  many opt to have the grooms folks and sometimes grandparents seated prior ot the MOB.
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  • aimers1525aimers1525 member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Ours will be:
    -FMIL, escorted by FBIL
    -MOB, escorted by my brother
    -BM's
    -me and my dad
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  • christyhalchristyhal
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Ours will be:

    Altar server and priest
    FI and his parents
    BMs and GMs in pairs
    Me and my parents.
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  • Megaphone2752Megaphone2752 member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Our church wants both the bride and groom's parents to walk them down the isle. My mom really doesn't want to though, so she is being seated right before the rest of the procession. The order of ours will be:

    -Readers
    -Priest
    -Groom and parents
    -Bridesmaids and Groomsmen (as pairs)
    -Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
    -Bride and my dad
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  • MopsieBMopsieB member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    BOTH of my parents will walk me down the aisle. Why should my mother be left out? She's the one who had me and did most of the work raising me!
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