Ceremony Order

Wedding processionals (and recessionals!) are the order in which everyone walks down the aisle. As a Charlotte, NC wedding planner, I work with my couples to plan out their wedding processionals and recessionals so they go smoothly on the wedding day. If you’re wondering what order your wedding party and family should walk in, you’re in the right place! Let’s talk about some common orders that I’ve seen, and 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 down the aisle (i.e., Mother of the Bride) - before the wedding party enters

• Grandparents included in the processional (they will typically walk in before the wedding party)

• Bride walking in with both parents or two escorts (i.e., her 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 (they will typically walk out after the wedding party)

• Flower Girls and Ring Bearer included in the recessional (they will typically walk out after the wedding party, with family)

Top Tips for Wedding Processionals and Recessionals

• General Tip: Design the processional and recessional before your ceremony rehearsal so that there’s no confusion

• Processional:

  • Line up your wedding party starting with the person/people farthest from the couple then work your way in

  • Everyone (except the bride and her escort) walk at a slow pace but not too slow - like walking through a pool. The bride and her escort should walk very slowly, like a graduation march

  • When walking, ladies should have their bouquets at their belly buttons (hold with both hands) and guys should walk as normal. If walking in a pair, ladies should hold their bouquets with their outside arm, guys will offer their inside arm to the lady, and the lady will loop their hand through the guy’s elbow

  • When the groom gets to the altar, the next person can go. The following person should wait until the person in front of them gets halfway down the aisle to start walking

  • For the wedding party, when they get to the top of the aisle, they will split and go to their spots

  • If the ringbearer is carrying the rings, he should walk up to the best man, who will take the rings

  • Show flower girls where and how often she should sprinkle her petals

• Recessional:

  • Hold hands while walking down the aisle

  • Stop halfway down the aisle and do a kiss (perfect time a dip kiss!), then keep walking, and 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, delaying your timeline

Having a wedding planner or coordinator will take the stress off by collaborating with you on creating the walking orders and implementing them on the day of.

Vendor Credits

Photo – Aureola Spectrum Photography

Planner – SC Signature Celebrations