What Is the Proper Order for the Wedding Procession?
January 29, 2021
Not everyone knows this, but for a wedding procession to be considered flawless, it must follow a very specific order. When preparing to enter the church, no detail can be overlooked according to traditional etiquette—and the same goes for the exit. There isn’t a single “correct” sequence of entrance; the choice depends on the style you want for the wedding or simply on the tradition you’re following.
The Traditional Order
The most traditional—and least formal—procession gives special attention to the groom’s entrance, which often goes unnoticed by guests. Everyone’s focus is on the bride’s arrival (and on which car she’s arriving in—there are plenty to choose from on Ghisu’s site!), so the groom’s appearance can get sidelined. Yet proper etiquette dictates a moment in the procession dedicated solely to the groom. He should arrive and enter the church about 15 minutes before the bride (and, of course, this applies equally to any other venue if you’re having a civil ceremony).
How the Groom Should Enter
Inside the church, some of the groom’s closest relatives and friends should already be seated. The groom then enters on his mother’s left arm. A musical piece (but not the wedding march) should play quietly in the background. The groom and his mother walk down the aisle together and pause at the front; there, he stands to the right of her chair and waits for his bride.
How the Groom Should Enter
Inside the church, some of the groom’s closest relatives and friends should already be seated. The groom then enters on his mother’s left arm. A musical piece (but not the wedding march) should play quietly in the background. The groom and his mother walk down the aisle together and pause at the front; there, he stands to the right of her chair and waits for his bride.
How the Bride Should Enter
Tradition calls for the bride to arrive a few minutes late—no more than fifteen. As soon as she steps inside, everyone stands. She enters on her father’s left arm, having been helped out of the car by him.
The final procession out of the church is led by the ring bearer, with the flower girl—the young attendant who scatters petals or carries a small bouquet—by his side. Behind them may follow additional page boys, then the bride and her father. But the procession isn’t over yet: immediately behind the bride come the bridesmaids, including the maid (or matron) of honor, who will hold up her train if necessary. Once the bride and her father reach the altar, he gives her a kiss and takes his seat.
The final procession out of the church is led by the ring bearer, with the flower girl—the young attendant who scatters petals or carries a small bouquet—by his side. Behind them may follow additional page boys, then the bride and her father. But the procession isn’t over yet: immediately behind the bride come the bridesmaids, including the maid (or matron) of honor, who will hold up her train if necessary. Once the bride and her father reach the altar, he gives her a kiss and takes his seat.
Seating Close Family and Witnesses
Before the bride arrives, the bride’s closest relatives enter in a set order. First come the groom’s parents: the father offers his right arm to the bride’s mother. Next are the witnesses, who proceed in pairs. Finally, the siblings of both the bride and groom make their entrance. The groom’s witnesses sit on the right side and the bride’s witnesses on the left. Likewise, once the bride has entered, all guests should already be inside, with those on the groom’s side seated to the right and those on the bride’s side to the left.
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