The Correct Order of a Wedding Processional: Who Walks Down the Aisle First? (Plus Modern Alternatives)

Before your big day arrives, it's helpful to get acquainted with the structure of your ceremony. From walking down the aisle and knowing who'll sit where, to your vows and the final recessional, there's quite a lot to think about. But let's start with one of the biggest moments of the day: your entrance.

It's worth noting that while we’ve covered what happens in both traditional and some modern wedding ceremony processionals here, plenty of modern couples are choosing to do things differently with their wedding entrance order. Whether that's walking down the aisle together, having both parents escort them, or skipping certain traditions entirely, your ceremony should reflect the two of you.

“I always tell my couples that tradition is for couples who want tradition – you can pick and choose which traditions you do or don’t want to do,” says wedding planner Oliver Stanton. “You shouldn’t do something purely because it’s traditional, it should be based on your shared values as a couple.”

In other words, don't feel pressure to follow a template if it doesn't feel like you.

• Wedding Processional Order: When and Who Walks Down the Aisle
• Wedding Processional Order: Traditional, Civil & Same-Sex
• Walking Down the Aisle: Everything You Need to Know
• What Happens After the Processional?

Wedding Processional Order: When and Who Walks Down the Aisle

Got questions about the wedding ceremony processional? Here’s everything you need to know before taking your moment in the spotlight…

When does the wedding processional happen?

The processional marks the official beginning of your ceremony. Once guests have taken their seats, your officiant will move into position and one partner (traditionally the groom) will usually make their entrance from the side alongside their best man, best woman or best person. Your choice of entrance musicbegins to play, and this signifies the beginning of your wedding ceremony processional.

Who will be in the wedding processional?

This all depends on who you have invited to be in your wedding party – it could be one person, or it could be 20 people! Traditionally, the processional would include both partner’s immediate families. Don't forget that the bridal party processional order matters too, and/or groomsmen, flower girls and/or page boys and – of course – yourself and whoever is walking you down the aisle.

But your processional may include:

• Grandparents
• Parents and immediate family members
• Bridesmaids, groomsmen or mixed-gender wedding parties
• Flower girls and page boys
• Children or pets (if they're involved in your ceremony)
• Yourself and whoever you've chosen to accompany you down the aisle

What is the correct order for a wedding processional?

There's no single 'correct' order anymore, but a traditional UK processional generally looks something like this:

• The officiant takes their place
• One partner enters and waits at the front
• Grandparents are seated (optional)
• Parents and immediate family are seated
• The wedding party enters
• The person getting married makes their entrance
• The ceremony begins

Of course, this is simply a guide. Many couples are now adapting the order to suit their personalities, family dynamics and cultural traditions.

Who walks down the aisle first?

The order in which you and your attendants step down the aisle is completely your choice, but traditionally, after your partner has made their way to the altar, it is your immediate families who will walk down the aisle first to take their seats.

Usually a bride’s family is seated on the left and a groom’s on the right, but many couples are forgoing this tradition and encouraging guests to sit wherever they feel most comfortable.

Does the groom walk down the aisle?

Traditionally in UK weddings, the groom often enters from the side and waits at the front alongside their best man. However, modern weddings are becoming much more flexible.

We've seen couples:

• Walk down the aisle together
• Each have their own entrance
• Enter from opposite sides
• Meet halfway before walking the rest of the aisle together

If you're having a civil ceremony, same-sex wedding or simply want to do something differently, there's no reason only one person gets a big entrance moment.

Wedding Processional Order: Traditional, Civil & Same-Sex

Wondering whether the type of wedding changes the processional order? Sometimes, it does! Here's what you need to know.

Traditional Religious Wedding Processional Order

If you're having a church wedding, a traditional Christian wedding processional usually follows this order:

• Groom's grandparents
• Bride's grandparents
• Groom's parents
• Mother of the bride
• The officiant (if they're not already at the front)
• Bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys
• The bride with her chosen escort

Historically, bridesmaids would walk behind the bride, but many modern UK couples now prefer them to walk ahead.

It's also worth remembering that every church and denomination may have slightly different expectations, so it's always worth speaking to your priest, vicar or officiant beforehand.

Different faiths will also have their own traditions.

For example, at Jewish weddings, the order is traditionally:

• Rabbi (and/or cantor)
• Bride's grandparents
• Groom's grandparents
• Best man
• Groom accompanied by both parents

The bride also traditionally walks down the aisle with both parents, and all four will stand under the chuppah during the ceremony.

Civil Ceremony Order: Processional Ideas

Civil ceremonies allow much more flexibility, which is why many couples choose to personalise their entrance.

This might include:

• Walking down the aisle with both parents
• Walking alone
• Being escorted by a sibling, grandparent, child or close friend
• Entering together as a couple
• Having no formal processional at all

Many couples are also moving away from the idea of being 'given away', instead choosing wording that reflects an equal partnership.

Same-Sex Wedding Processional Ideas

Same-sex weddings offer even more opportunities to create a ceremony that feels unique to your relationship. "The vast majority of my same-sex couples have both partners doing an aisle walk, whether that's together or separately," says Oliver. "It's definitely something all couples can consider, especially as we move towards a more equal society with less emphasis on gender roles."

Popular options include:

• Walking down the aisle together
• Each partner having their own entrance
• Entering with parents or loved ones
• Meeting halfway and walking the rest of the aisle together
• Having mixed-gender wedding parties

Many same-sex couples also choose to remove assigned seating altogether and simply ask guests to choose a seat, not a side.

Walking Down the Aisle: Everything You Need to Know

Wondering who, when and how the nearlywed will make it down the aisle? Don't worry, we've got the answers!

Can two people walk you down the aisle?

It’s absolutely possible to have two people walk you down the aisle, if that’s what you want, particularly at civil ceremonies and partnerships where there is more room for personalisation of your ceremony.

Those people don’t need to be your parents, either. It can be whoever you want. Likewise, both partners might want to make a grand entrance – either separately or together.

What side do you walk down the aisle on?

If you're following tradition with your wedding ceremony lineup, you'd usually take the right arm of whoever is accompanying you down the aisle, meaning you'll carry your bouquet in your left hand. Once you've reached your partner at the front, your escort will move to the left-hand side before taking their seat.

How long does it take to walk down the aisle?

“This will vary depending on the size of your wedding party as well as whether your ceremony is being held inside or outside,” says Oliver, “but typically a processional would rarely last longer than the average three-minute song.

“At outdoor ceremonies, the wedding party will usually have to line up further away from the top of the aisle so as not to be seen by guests. With an indoor ceremony, the wedding party can usually just line up outside the room, so I would usually add on an additional minute for outdoor ceremonies,” he adds.

Try to keep your wedding music to around 3-5 minutes to ensure it lasts the duration of getting everyone seated. It may be that you only need a snippet of that, depending on how many people you have walking down the aisle before or after you.

If you reach the altar before the music finishes, you could have someone fade out the song. If you’re having live music – a singer or a quartet, for example – they will know how to adjust.

If you’re still unsure, speak to your wedding planner or venue coordinator about how long it generally takes couples to walk the length of the aisle. Or, if you’re planning a rehearsal, do a timed run!

What Happens After the Processional?

Once you’ve worked out the order of walking down the aisle, it’s good to be clear on what will happen next.

Sometimes the groomsmen will walk the bridesmaids to the front row, walk around the aisle and then seat themselves at the back – this puts them in a good position to open the doors for you and your partner at the end of the service if there is no one else around to do it.

Typically, your maid of honour or chief bridesmaid will be seated closest to you so you can hand her your bouquet when you reach the altar. She can hand it back to you once you’ve signed the register. If you’ve chosen to not have any bridesmaids, your father or escort could take the bouquet and either place it on the front pew or hand it to someone else.

“In modern ceremonies, in most cases, the bridesmaids will immediately take their seats rather than lining up at the front,” says Oliver. “And on that note, it’s always good to have clearly signed reserved seats for anyone walking down the aisle so there is space for them to sit when they get there.

“Something you absolutely have to do before all of this is have a discussion with everyone involved about how the wedding ceremony processional will work so everyone knows what their role is,” he adds. “This includes having a conversation with the groomsmen, who are often less involved in the planning process.”

• How fast to walk down the aisle. The word to remember is ‘promenading’ – to walk as to be seen by others!
• The order everyone will walk. It’s also useful to have someone that’s in an aisle seat on the front row who can quickly fluff the bride’s train and take her bouquet once the ceremony starts, so this person would probably be the last of the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.
• Where everyone will sit after their aisle walk. Usually the bridesmaids will sit on the first couple of rows on one side and the groomsmen will do the same on the other side. For LGBTQ+ weddings, the same principle may also apply.
• Whether the bride wants to be ‘given away’ or just walked down the aisle (if being escorted at all). If the bride’s dad is simply walking her down the aisle, he will take his seat once the walk is done. If he is giving her away, he will stay stood for part of the ceremony and the officiant will ask, “who gives [bride’s name] to be married to [groom’s name]?” To which her father will respond, ‘I do”.

Most importantly, remember that your processional doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Your wedding ceremony should feel personal, meaningful and representative of your relationship – whether that's steeped in tradition, completely modern or somewhere in between.

And don’t forget your choice of music will also shape your big arrival. If you’re looking for something different, we’ve got plenty of alternative inspiration in our edit of the best emo wedding songs!