You have likely dreamed of the day that you would make your grand walk down the aisle. You will be carrying your stunning bouquet, rocking that jaw dropping gown, and your father would link arms with you as he escorts you to the other most important man within your life. You can probably imagine your wedding ceremony now, as it will be quite a beautiful sight.

However, do you know how the order of your wedding ceremony will progress? You will be accompanied by your bridesmaids and groomsmen, flower girl, ring bearer, and maybe even your loveable pet. Thus, the order of your wedding ceremony should be well organized.

With so many elements that create your wedding ceremony, it’s only understandable that you want it to be perfectly presented. That’s why, here at Pollyanna Richter Weddings, we have put together a few points on how to organize the order of your wedding ceremony. If you want your wedding ceremony to go flawlessly, feel free to keep reading to discover more.

Your ceremony is the most important part of your wedding day, as it joins you and your partner together in matrimony. This section describes the order of of your wedding ceremony. Your ceremony will consist of three very important parts: the prelude, the procession, and the recession.

The Prelude

The Prelude is a harmonious welcome for your guests that provides a melodious background noise as your guests ready themselves for the ceremony. Thirty (30) minutes before the ceremony, the musician starts the prelude while ushers escort guests to their seats.  

Seating Note: The bride’s family and friends are seated on the left side. The right side is reserved for the groom’s friends and family. However, if one family will have many more guests than the other, everyone may sit together. This is will fill up the empty seats on one side.

Seating of Special Guests - Anyone specifically seated other than parents/grandparents.

Seating of Grandparents - The groom’s grandparents will be followed by the bride's grandparents. They sit in the first rows/pews on their respective sides alongside parents and siblings of bride and groom or sit in the second rows/pews (along the aisle) to ensure the best view of the ceremony. 

Seating of Groom’s Parents - 5 (five) minutes before the ceremony starting time on the invitation the groom's mother is escorted to her seat. She will proceed down the aisle escorted by a son, brother, or the usher. The groom's father follows a few feet behind, then take his seat beside his wife. They sit in the first rows/pews on their respective sides. If groom's parents are divorced, biological father of groom and spouse (if remarried) will be seated first, then the groom’s mother and spouse (if remarried) is escorted by a son, brother, or the usher. Your family situation will determine where they sit. 

Seating of Brides' Mothers - The bride’s mother entrance is the signal that the wedding processional is about to begin. The bride’s mother will proceed down the aisle escorted to her seat by a son, brother, or the usher (unless she'll be escorting you). You and your father wait with the wedding party. Parents of both the bride and groom sit in the first rows/pews on their respective sides. 

The Officiant, Your handsome groom and His most loyal, the best man - At ceremony time the officiant takes his or her place, followed by the groom and his best man. Your groom can either enter from the side and await his bride, accompanied by the officiant and his best man at the right side of the head of the aisle, or he can make his way down the aisle.  As soon as they take their place, the procession begins.

The Procession

The Procession is the point in the wedding where the wedding party make their way to the altar.

The charming groomsmen - The groomsmen lead the procession one by one by height or friendship (if by height the shortest person leads the way.) They can also be paired with your bridesmaids. 

Your loyal bridesmaids - The loyal bridesmaids to follow, walking one by one, or paired with your groomsmen (by height or friendship). Each bridesmaid on the left arm of a groomsmen. They will lead the way for the maid of honor and the stunning bride. The junior bridesmaids come next, before the maid/matron of honor.

Your best, the maid or matron of honor - The maid or matron precedes the child attendants. If there are 2 (two) maid or matron of honor, whoever has the most duties walks last, directly before the bride.

The ring bearer and darling flower girl - The ring bearer walks alone or may be paired with the flower girl. The ring bearer stands in front of the groomsmen.  The flower girl will precede the gorgeous bride and take her place in front of the bridesmaids. The children may sit with their parents for the rest of the ceremony, if they are not old enough to stay still for the duration of the ceremony.

The bride and her father or an especial escort. The father of the bride will escort his lovely daughter down the aisle. The bride on her father’s left arm.

The Recession 

The Recession takes place after the ceremony is completed, as it’s the exit for the newlywed couple, followed by the Wedding Party.

Bride and Groom  - When the ceremony is over, the maid or matron of honor hands back the bouquet to the bride and straightens her gown and veil. The bride takes her groom’s right arm and walk back the aisle together, leading the recession of the bridal party.

The flower girl will follow walking on the ring bearer’s right arm or by herself.

The maid or matron of honor and best man - Will walk back the aisle together. The maid or matron of honor on the right arm of the best man. They will be followed up the aisle by the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen - Each of your bridesmaids will pair with the groomsmen as they walk back the aisle. Each bridesmaid on the right arm of an usher.

The Ushers will then return to escort any immediate family of the couple from their seats.

The ushers and/or your wedding planner will direct guests to the reception, while you, your wedding party, and family takes pictures. 

Your wedding ceremony has a flow that can keep your big day running smoothly, and this is the traditional line up for a ceremony entrance. However, wedding ceremony vary according to religious, local custom and the family's preference. 

Here at Pollyanna Richter Weddings, we can assist you in planning your perfect wedding day. If you are ready to begin planning the details of your big day, please feel free to contact us, as we would be honored to consult with you.