Ceremony Order
Wedding processionals (and recessionals!) refer to the order in which your wedding party and family members walk down the aisle. As a Charlotte, NC wedding planner, I work with my couples to plan out the processionals and recessionals so that everything flows smoothly on their wedding day. If you’re unsure about the order in which your wedding party and family should walk, you’re in the right place! Let’s break down the most common wedding processionals and recessionals, along with some top tips.
Wedding Processional Options
Most Common Wedding Processional Order
Officiant starts at the altar
Groom (sometimes escorting parents)
Bridesmaid and Groomsman pairs
Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man
Ring Bearer
Flower Girl
Bride and Escort
I have also seen:
Groom and officiant walking in together
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen walking in separately
Groomsmen escorting female family members (e.g., Mother of the Bride) before the wedding party
Grandparents included in the processional (typically walking in before the wedding party)
The bride walking in with both parents or two escorts (e.g., father and stepfather)
Wedding Recessional Options
Most Common Wedding Recessional Order
Bride and Groom
Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man
Bridesmaid and Groomsman pairs
I have also seen:
Only the couple recesses
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen walking out separately
Family members included in the recessional (typically walking out after the wedding party)
Flower Girls and Ring Bearer included in the recessional (typically walking out after the wedding party, with family)
Top Tips for Wedding Processionals and Recessionals
General Tip: Design the processional and recessional order before your ceremony rehearsal so that there’s no confusion when the big day arrives.
Processional:
Line up the wedding party starting with the person/people farthest from the couple, and work your way in.
Everyone (except the bride and her escort) should walk at a slow pace, but not too slow — like walking through water. The bride and her escort should walk very slowly, like a graduation march.
Ladies should hold their bouquets at belly button height with both hands. If walking in pairs, ladies should hold bouquets with their outside arm, and the gentleman should offer their inside arm for the lady to loop her hand through.
When the groom reaches the altar, the next person can go. The following person should wait until the person in front of them reaches halfway down the aisle before starting to walk.
For the wedding party, once they reach the top of the aisle, they will split and go to their spots.
If the ring bearer is carrying the rings, he should walk up to the best man, who will take the rings.
Flower girls should know where and how often to sprinkle their petals.
Recessional:
Hold hands while walking down the aisle
Stop halfway down the aisle for a kiss (perfect time for a dip kiss!), then continue walking. The wedding party can start exiting one by one (or pair by pair) — starting with the Maid/Matron of Honor and Best Man, and then going in the reverse order of the processional.
Follow the same guidance for walking as in the processional
Have a place to go after you walk down the aisle that’s away from guests so you don’t get stuck talking to everyone, which could delay your timeline.
Having a wedding planner or wedding coordinator ensures that your ceremony order runs seamlessly. They will help with creating the walking orders and implementing them on the day so that everything is taken care of, and you can enjoy your moment!
Vendor Credits
Photo – Aureola Spectrum Photography
Planner – SC Signature Celebrations
