Key Takeaways
The order of the wedding processional is ultimately up to the couple. Typically, it begins with the officiant, followed by parents, the wedding party, and finally the couple.
Deciding the processional order is an important part of wedding planning. Who walks down the aisle first sets the tone for the ceremony, which is often the most formal part of the day. While tradition often guides the order, many couples now personalize it to reflect their preferences, religious customs, or choose a non-traditional approach—like walking together alone.
Still unsure about your processional? Below, we explain everything you need to know to choose what works best for your celebration.
What Is the Wedding Processional?
The wedding processional marks the start of the ceremony, when the officiant, family, wedding party, and couple walk down the aisle to take their places. It’s a moment to honor important people in the couple’s life and signal the beginning of the wedding. Music, whether live or recorded, usually accompanies the processional.
Why Does the Order Matter?
In some religions, a specific order is followed to honor tradition. More broadly, the order highlights the people who support the couple as they take this step. While often rooted in tradition, you can adjust the order to suit your preferences or logistical needs—like ensuring certain people stand or sit in particular places.
Most Common Wedding Processional Orders
While the choice is yours, here are some modern and cultural processional orders to consider.
Non-Denominational Wedding Procession Order
For a non-religious wedding, the most common order begins with the officiant, followed by grandparents, then parents. Next comes the wedding party, then junior members like flower girls or ring bearers. Finally, the couple walks down the aisle—either alone or accompanied by one or both parents.
Traditional Christian Wedding Processional Order
In a traditional Christian wedding, the officiant goes first, followed by grandparents, parents, the groom, the best man, groomsmen, bridesmaids, the maid of honor, flower girls and ring bearers, and finally the bride with her father. Sometimes wedding party members walk in pairs. For same-sex couples, this order can be adapted similarly for each partner.
Traditional Jewish Wedding Processional Order
At a Jewish wedding, the rabbi or cantor leads, followed by the bride’s grandparents, then the groom’s grandparents. Next come the groomsmen, best man, groom, and his parents. They are followed by the bridesmaids, maid of honor, flower girl and ring bearer, and finally the bride with her parents. Same-sex couples can mirror this order.
Traditional Hindu Wedding Processional Order
At a Hindu wedding, the bride’s family arrives first and proceeds down the aisle. The groom then arrives with his friends and family in a lively baraat processional, often accompanied by a drummer. Finally, the bride walks down the aisle with close loved ones, such as her maternal aunt and uncle or her brothers.How to Decide What’s Right for You
When planning your wedding ceremony processional, start by considering what matters most to you and your partner. Do you have a wedding party? Are you hoping to break from tradition or try something unique? Is it a queer wedding where adjusting the usual order feels more authentic? Whatever your priorities, use them to shape your processional flow.
For our wedding, we blended tradition with practical logistics. Since we wanted our siblings standing beside us at the altar, they walked right after the officiant, before the rest of the wedding party—an order that made it easy for everyone to take their seats afterward. Then, my wife walked with her parents, followed by me with mine, honoring our Jewish heritage in our own way. It wasn’t strictly traditional, but it felt true to us.
One last piece of advice: once you settle on your processional order, write it down clearly, share it with your officiant and wedding party, and practice during your rehearsal. A well-communicated plan helps everything run smoothly on the big day.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Wedding Procession Order Ceremony Entrance
Basics Definitions
Q What is a wedding procession order
A Its the specific sequence in which the wedding party walks down the aisle at the start of the ceremony
Q Who typically walks in the procession
A The core group usually includes the officiant the wedding party flower children ring bearers and finally the couple
Q Whats the difference between the processional and the recessional
A The processional is the entrance at the beginning of the ceremony The recessional is the joyful exit of the newly married couple and wedding party at the end
Planning Logistics
Q How do I decide who walks with whom
A Traditionally each bridesmaid pairs with a groomsman However you can pair friends together regardless of gender have people walk alone or have the entire wedding party enter from the sides Choose what feels right for your group
Q In what order do people usually walk
A A traditional order is
1 Officiant Groom
2 Groomsmen
3 Bridesmaids
4 MaidMatron of Honor
5 Flower Child Ring Bearer
6 The Bride
Q Do parents walk in the procession
A Often yes Parents of the groom are usually seated first Then the mother of the bride is seated last before the procession begins Sometimes parents walk with the couple as part of the entrance
Q What about divorced or blended families How do we handle that respectfully
A Communication is key Common solutions include having both parents walk the person down the aisle having one parent walk you partway and the other the rest or having them seated with honor in the front row Choose an option that minimizes stress
Q How long should the entire processional take
A It depends on your party size and aisle length For a typical wedding party