Q&A for How to Announce the Bridal Party at a Reception

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  • Question
    What order do you announce a wedding party?
    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.
    Wedding & Event Planner
    Expert Answer
    Start by having the MC announce the bridesmaids and groomsmen, then the maid of honor and the best man, and finally the bride and groom.
  • Question
    Who will give me away if both my father and mother have passed away?
    Community Answer
    If you have a brother or close male friend, they can do it. It's even okay if you walk alone and have your groom meet you halfway, or just walk alone the whole way.
  • Question
    Can you give an example of a speech that introduces a wedding party?
    Community Answer
    "Good afternoon/evening and welcome to the reception for (bride and groom's names). At this time, I would like to draw your attention to the entrance, to announce the bridal party."
  • Question
    What if the best man is also the father of the groom?
    Community Answer
    You can have an usher or family member escort the Mother of the Groom in and announce the Best Man normally, but adding the title Father of the Groom.
  • Question
    I'm a single mom and my daughter is getting married. Can I have my boyfriend accompany my daughter to the altar?
    Ana Smith
    Community Answer
    Talk to your daughter and ask her if that is what she wants. It is her day. If she doesn't want your boyfriend escorting her, suggest a close friend, a grandfather, or an uncle or brother. You could even do it yourself.
  • Question
    If bride's father is remarried, who does he walk with into the reception with: new wife of 17 years, or ex-wife?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    His current wife should be by his side at all times. There is no longer any role to be played by his ex-wife; at least, for anything that regards the father of the bride. Where the bride and groom are concerned, the ex-wife obviously plays a huge role. Finally, where parents play a role, both the new wife and the previous wife should be present. So as for the reception, the father of the bride should walk into the reception with his new wife at his side.
  • Question
    Should the father of the groom be announced by himself, or could he be escorted by his girlfriend of a little over a year?
    Community Answer
    It is up to the bride and groom. If they are good with the father being introduced with a girlfriend, then do so as "The father of groom Mr. Joe Jones escorted by Miss (or Ms.) Sally Sweet." If they have a problem with it then he walks alone.
  • Question
    What if the mother of the bride is the matron of honor?
    Community Answer
    In my experience, when the mother of the bride is the matron of honor, the father of the bride walks alone or with a sibling and is announced as such. The matron of honor, as a special participant, is announced in the honored position in the procession.
  • Question
    What is the proper protocol on announcing the designation of a doctor?
    Community Answer
    Anyone that has the designation of doctor, whether a physician simply or someone holding a doctorate degree, should be addressed as "Doctor [last name] and Mrs. [last name]" (or "Mr. and Doctor [last name.") unless this is a very formal procession. In this case it would be "Doctor and Mrs. [his first and last name]" (or "Mr. [his first name] and Doctor [her first and last name]"). There is one exception to this rule. If the doctorate is held by a clergy member, then you would use the cleric's title, e.g. "Reverend David Smith" or "the Reverend Doctor Susan Willis" (ask the cleric which he/she prefers).
  • Question
    Who walks with the bride at a wedding?
    Community Answer
    Usually the bride's father walks with the bride, but if he is not available, the bride can choose anyone she likes to walk her down the aisle.
  • Question
    Who gets introduced first, the parents of the bride or the parents of the groom?
    Community Answer
    According to most wedding protocol books, parents of the bride always go first.
  • Question
    Who walks down the aisle before the bride?
    Community Answer
    Most weddings see the groom and his best man enter first, followed by the bridesmaids. Next come the matron and then the ring bearer. The flower girls enter second last and then enters the bride walked by an elder, most likely her father. This order is changeable depending upon religion, guests and if it is secular wedding format.
  • Question
    How do you announce the parents at the reception?
    Amanda Cousins
    Community Answer
    The master of ceremonies announces the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom and then the bridal party, the flower girls and the ring bearer.
  • Question
    How do I get announced with the matron of honor and best man at the wedding reception (as the maid of honor)?
    Amanda Cousins
    Community Answer
    The announcement goes as follows:” the maid and matron of honor, Amanda Jones and Catherine Smith."
  • Question
    What is the layout of the wedding reception?
    Community Answer
    There's no single layout. It depends on the bride's (or groom's) preference. Other details depend on that as well.
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