Ceremony… with the Procession

Once the ceremony has concluded, the celebration is far from over. Having left the church altar—or the town hall—it’s time to head to the venue where you’ve planned the banquet. A convoy of cars will likely form behind the bride’s vehicle so everyone arrives together. Proper etiquette for this occasion calls for a few key behaviors.

Younger guests may not recall, but it was once—and sometimes still is—a superstition to hang noisy trinkets from the back of the wedding car. The clanking charms were believed to ward off evil spirits determined to harass the bride and groom. These playful customs added a lighthearted spirit to the day.

Today, this ritual has evolved into a honking-horns procession as guests follow the newlyweds to the restaurant or celebration venue booked well in advance. After the emotional high of the ceremony, it’s time for laughter, and the car convoy offers friends and family a unique opportunity to express their joy. At the same time, this moment demands discipline. Knowing your place in the convoy and which route to take is essential. Once the bride and groom climb into their car—the same one the bride emerged from before the ceremony—they can choose to lead the procession, position themselves midway, or bring up the rear, with vehicles escorting them both at the front and back.

If you thought finalizing the menu, seating chart, attire, makeup, bouquet, and location meant the hard work was done, think again! The car procession is a ritual in its own right. When decorating the cars, don’t hold back: white ribbons, tulle bows, balloons, and for the romantics, a “Just Married” sign on the hood accompanied by tin cans are all welcome. Every vehicle in the convoy should join the fun, typically with a satin ribbon on the side mirror or wrapped around the radio antenna. And of course, flowers are a must—a bouquet on the hood and heart-shaped arrangements are indispensable for a traditional wedding.

Once you depart the town hall or church, giving guests precise directions to the reception venue is critical. Some couples include GPS coordinates on the invitations, but be sure to calculate travel times and distances thoughtfully—traffic is always an unpredictable foe. Share your chosen route so out-of-towners won’t get lost. Upon arrival, ensure there’s ample parking for everyone and assign someone to manage it—especially to look after the cars of the bride and groom, their parents, older guests, and the planners.

Keep noise pollution to a minimum in the city—remind enthusiastic guests to keep it down, especially near hospitals or places of worship. Drivers should switch on their low beams, obey traffic signals, and respect speed limits. Finally, designate a lead car at the front of the procession and one at the back to keep the convoy together. With these measures in place, making your way to the celebration will be smooth sailing.