Who walks down the aisle first?

I always thought that too but since I started WP it seems everyone does it the other way round now. I think its an American thing. Personally I prefer it BMs first cos then I get to make a bigger entrance!

Traditionally UK = bride first, US = bridesmaids first.

Im in a quandry as I dont want my OH's view of me to be obscurred by my BM and FG, but would like them to go first!  Think I'm gonna wait until the BM's are 3/4 way down before I go then I'll only be hidden for a bit, we have a huge aisle!

I will be getting my bridesmaids to go down first, fingers crossed I'll be getting married outside so OH will have plenty time to see me :)

Im having "Pachelbel Canon & Gique in D Major" play while the BMs walk down, then the Bridal March will start for me to make my entrance :)

mrsjaytobe:

Traditionally UK = bride first, US = bridesmaids first.

This. 

I'm normally a fan of keeping to British traditions but my bridesmaids went first. I wanted them to have their moment to be honest. They looked stunning and I wanted everyone to give them their full attention.

Yes as MrsJay2be says, I think the difference is a UK/US thing.

Personally though I think you should do whatever works best for you, bearing the venue in mind.

I think that I will go first. I´m getting married outside and have a really long "aisle" walk - probably about 40m, so if my BM goes first then I will pretty much be obscured the whole way.

Plus if she goes behind me then she can sort my train and veil out, which might end up all over the place given that we´ll be outside.

kharv:

mrsjaytobe:

Traditionally UK = bride first, US = bridesmaids first.

 

This. 

 

I'm normally a fan of keeping to British traditions but my bridesmaids went first. I wanted them to have their moment to be honest. They looked stunning and I wanted everyone to give them their full attention.

 

Exactly this. The BMs spend such a long time and a lot of effort getting ready and I know mine will look beautiful. As soon as the bride comes in, most people's eyes will be following her down the aisle, with perhaps a quick glance at the bridesmaids. I want my girls to have their entrance and I'll follow behind them.

My bridesmaids are going first for the same reasons as Kharv. They get to have their moment and the other guests can be kept waiting in suspense :P

I think it really depends on your own personal preference, unless your venue only allows it a certain way.

If the BMs are behind me people might be looking at them and not me! Im having them go first but I wont start walking down til their all at the front. They'll be the warm up act, ill be the main event! lol

Pinky6:

I think it really depends on your own personal preference, unless your venue only allows it a certain way.

Yes, some churches insist on the traditional British way.

I think I'll be going first. Its my day to shine, something I never really get. All four of bridesmaids are more popular/prettier than me and always look beautiful. So on this instance I'm going to be selfish bridezilla and go first because I want everyone to look at me. 

More importantly, I want to be the first person D sees and not the bridesmaids.

I think the norm for a civil ceremony now is bridesmaids first whereas a church ceremony it's still the bride first. 

Kili:

I think the norm for a civil ceremony now is bridesmaids first whereas a church ceremony it's still the bride first. 

 

Not necessarily, but it depends on the minister and how flexible they are. When my sister told her vicar she wanted BMs first, she said "Hmm...the American way, but ok". She obviously wasn't keen, but let her do it anyway.