No wedding party... bride's entrance?

belletop · September 2010

So we are not having a wedding party for various reasons. The other day I realized, every wedding I've been to it takes time for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle etc. and kind of leads up to the bride coming down the aisle. Well since we don't have that, I feel like it might be kind of awkward that once people are seated the bridal music immediately comes on and I walk out. Anyone have thoughts on this? Could I maybe make a bigger deal out of the parents being escorted in, and then I follow them? Just looking for something to sort of lead up to my entrance.

lalap69 · September 2010

I believe the seating of the mothers is usually part of the procession, so I think that's a great idea.

mgietler76 · September 2010

I have also seen the parents and grandparents lead the processional. There are no rules regarding this and IMO whatever you want to do will be fine.

AbbeyS2011 · September 2010

What you could do is have the parents/grandparents escorted in, have the candlelighters light the candles (if any), then have the ushers pull out the aisle runner before you walk down the aisle. Have some kind of music playing when the parents are being seated - it will set the mood. Just before the music shifts, you could have the minister say "All rise - here comes the Bride" or something like that.

At my home church our pastor's youngest daughter was married there - her father walked her down the aisle, and also performed the ceremony. Her brother stepped up and said that and it worked out really nice.

desert*bride · September 2010

we don't have a wedding party either and will probably just have our parents walk in while the music is playing right before we walk in [FI and I are coming in together].

megk8oz · September 2010

Pretty much every wedding I've been to has included the "seating of the mothers" (And sometimes "grandmothers") in the processional. Then the bridesmaids would enter, followed by the bride. So I'd just do it that way (Obviously "skipping" the bridesmaids)

You can also ask your minister or officiant what they've seen other brides do in the past and see if they have any ideas you like better.

This is one of those things that really doesn't effect anyone else, so you have the freedom to pretty much do it however you want to. Good luck!

belletop · September 2010

Awesome, you ladies have given me a lot of great ideas. Thank you!!

redeyes_10_04 · September 2010

I think it's a great idea to escort the parents and grand-parents to their seats as part of the ceremony. We plan to do the same. We're only having one BM and one GM, so it'll help lengthen our precessional. Plus, I think it's important to recognize family.

trix1223 · September 2010

belletop: I'm a church organist, and here's what I'd do in your particular ceremony.

I'd begin playing quiet prelude music about 20 minutes before the start of the ceremony.

I'd have someone come and tell me that they're ready to seat the MOG and then MOB.

I'd have a brief pause in the music, and then start to play a different piece for the moms.

Your mom is the last person seated before the ceremony begins. Once I see her seated, I'd bring the music gracefully to a close allowing your mom to put down her purse, and take a deep breath and get ready for the exciting moment that is next.

I'd have another very brief pause (think 10 seconds or less) and then start your processional music.

The pauses and change in music for the moms would signal that the ceremony is about to begin. Usually, it is the bride's mom who signals, by standing, that the bride is entering. So after the brief pause, when your music begins, your mom would stand and face the back of the church. The other guests will then know that you're entering, and your ceremony begins. GL

2dBride · September 2010

You could also consider having the processional be the officiant, then the groom escorted by his parents, then you escorted by your parents. That way, it would be less your father giving you away, and more each of you acknowledging both of your parents.

surf&turfcouple · September 2010

I would make your parent's entrances more prominent, as many have already said and then perhaps a reading? Something about what it means to be a bride or wife, maybe, to make it obvious you (the bride) are about to be presented. Then, after the reader is finished he/she can go back to their seat but remain standing as your music begins, implying that the other guests should rise for your entrance, too. Just an idea I thought was cute

Good luck!

Lisa50 · September 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_wedding-party-brides-entrance?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:42bfc10c-b971-419a-b574-ac418d066eccPost:4697e639-cf0c-4088-b81d-9359c1c4e63b">No wedding party... bride's entrance?</a>:
[QUOTE]So we are not having a wedding party for various reasons. The other day I realized, every wedding I've been to it takes time for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle etc. and kind of leads up to the bride coming down the aisle. Well since we don't have that, I feel like it might be kind of awkward that once people are seated the bridal music immediately comes on and I walk out. Anyone have thoughts on this? Could I maybe make a bigger deal out of the parents being escorted in, and then I follow them? Just looking for something to sort of lead up to my entrance.
Posted by belletop[/QUOTE]

You could have prelude music between the mothers' entrance and yours. That would create a nice pause and make your walk down the aisle yours alone.

No wedding party... bride's entrance?

Re: No wedding party... bride's entrance?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards