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What's the traditional order of a wedding processional?

Karen Brown
Wedding & Event Planner
Karen Brown is the Founder and Creative Director of Karen Brown New York, a full service event planning company. Karen has planned hundreds of successful weddings, corporate parties, award ceremonies, product launches, galas, and fundraisers over the past decade throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Karen Brown

Wedding & Event Planner

Expert Answer

Traditionally, you start with the mother of the bride, then grandparents, and then the parents of the groom, who may walk by themselves or with the groom. The officiant then enters, either down the aisle or by a side entrance. The wedding party walks next, either in pairs of groomsmen and bridesmaids, or the bridesmaids may walk one by one and join the groomsmen who are waiting at the altar. The ring bearer and flower girl are next; then finally, the bride enters, typically accompanied by her father or another appointed person.

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Question

How do I pick out my dress?

Elise Ott

Community Answer

Start by deciding on the style of your dress, and then work from there. It helps to have a budget before you start looking, and wedding dress websites can be very helpful to look around and see what’s in style.

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Question

What is the term for the runner placed on the floor for the bridal party, bride and groom to walk down?

Community Answer

It's typically just called a "wedding aisle runner".

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Question

I’m the maid of honor. Do I walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

Yes, walk down the aisle after the bridesmaids but before the flower girls and ring bearer and before the bride.

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Question

Can the bridesmaids' dresses match?

Community Answer

They don't have to but it is traditional to do so. And it is also traditional for them to match the maid of honor's dress in the same hue or variant of that shade. However it's your wedding, so you can decide what works best for you.

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Question

Do I escort the ring bearer and flower girls together down the aisle?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

You can choose to have them go in separately or have all three of them go together before the bride goes down the aisle.

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Question

Can children walk the bride down the aisle?

Amanda Cousins

Community Answer

That breaks tradition for the bride's entrance into the ceremony, but it's sometimes done.

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Question

What gets practiced at the wedding rehearsal? And what happens at the rehearsal dinner?

Community Answer

You practice the complete wedding ceremony. At the rehearsal dinner you give speeches and toasts.

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Question

All three of my neighbor’s daughters will be the maid of honor and bridesmaids and the flower girl for my neighbor's wedding. Do we go before the bride?

Community Answer

Yes. Traditionally, the maid of honor, the bridesmaids, the ring bearer and the flower girl enter before the bride.

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Question

During a church wedding, does the processional start with grandparents and then the wedding party with groomsmen and bridesmaids?

Community Answer

That's right. They're followed by the ring-bearer, the flower girl and the bride and her escort.

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Question

What is the plan for the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner before the ceremony and reception?

Community Answer

Use the rehearsal to practice the wedding ceremony. Then adjourn to the chosen venue for a dinner (typically hosted by the groom's family) during which welcoming speeches and toasts are made. These two events usually occur the day (or evening) before the wedding.

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Question

Can a dog or cat be a ring bearer?

Community Answer

That might not be a very good idea. Even if the animal is well-trained, it would be taking a big chance.

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