Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions

Ceremony Etiquette

Hi Everyone.
I am beginning the planning of my ceremony but I am not sure where to start. Can anyone tell me what happens first, who gets walked down first by who (mothers) and so on. I dont know where to look. Our wedding is casual, no religious influences. Thank you to anyone who responds!

Re: Ceremony Etiquette

  • bunni727bunni727 member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments 250 Love Its First Answer
    edited April 2012
    Whoever is marrying you would probably be a really good resource.

    In the majority of weddings I have been to, this is how this worked:

    Officiant and Groom enter.
    Grandmothers and Mothers enter. It doesn't really matter who walks them in, usually a husband, brother, or general usher, and the brides mother is usually last to be seated.
    Bridal party
    Ring bearer/flower girl
    Bride
    Ceremony--I have no idea how this would work without religious influences. I wish i could be more help here.
    Then everyone exits in the reverse order as they entered.
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  • We had the following order:

    SIL and FIL of the groom
    MIL and SFIL of the groom
    g-ma of the B
    SM of the B

    FG/RB

    Men entered from side

    BMs

    Bride & FOB
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  • kfraskfras member
    100 Comments
    edited April 2012
    This is a Catholic ceremony's procession, so you don't have to follow it, but I find the order makes sense anyway.

    Grandparents first
    Parents of the groom
    Mother of the bride
    Bridal party
    FG and RB
    Bride and father

    I am having my 2 Brother-in-laws escort my FI's grandmom and mother (the women should be ushered by an usher of your choosing, with the grandfather/father walking behind them.) And then my nephew will escort my mother to her seat.

    I am also planning to have my FGs and RB walk before my matron of honor. I would like her to walk just before me. I think in older days, the MOH would walk behind the bride, if her train was very long. The book I have says to have the FG walk right before the bride, if she were throwing flowers then the bride would be the only one to step foot onto the petals. But in my church we are not allowed to throw petals anyway. So I think this is your preference.

    In Jewish ceremonies, the parents of the groom escort him up the aisle, and both parents of the bride escort the bride.

    My groom will enter the ceremony first, not in the procession as he will be entering with the best man from behind the altar. But if you would like him included in the procession, he should go first with the priest as the on poster suggested.

    it is really entirely up to you, especially since you are not having a religious ceremony.  But I find that having grandparents before parents, and groom's fam before bride's is pretty customary. Especially is the bride's parents are paying for the wedding, they should be seated last (if bride walking alone) or bride's mother last (if bride's father is escorting bride).

    As for seating, bridal party in first row (or two rows if you have a large party) followed by parents in the next row, then grandparents, then readers (if you are having any readings or even speakers in general). Make sure to mark the first couple rows as reserved so no one steals these seats.







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  • We did

    Grandparents seated by groomsmen
    Mother of Groom seated by Groom
    Mother of Bride seated by Groomsman (her choice)
    Groom and Pastor
    BM1 and GM1
    BM2 and GM2
    BM3 and GM3
    MOH and BM
    Bride and Dad
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