parents in processional?

unplainjane · May 2011

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?

mica178 · May 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.

ootmother2 · May 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.

clearheavens · May 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.

doctabroccoli · May 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.

Calypso1977 · May 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.

aimers1525 · May 2011

Ours will be:
-FMIL, escorted by FBIL
-MOB, escorted by my brother
-BM's
-me and my dad

christyhal · May 2011

Ours will be:

Altar server and priest
FI and his parents
BMs and GMs in pairs
Me and my parents.

Megaphone2752 · May 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

MopsieB · May 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!

parents in processional?

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