TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OVERVIEW

Guest Seating
Guests are seated by ushers as prelude music begins.

Processional (Entrance)
A traditional order often includes:
  1. Officiant, Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen (no music)
  2. Grandparents of the Groom (grandparents’ song)
  3. Grandparents of the Bride (grandparents’ song continued)
  4. Parents of the Groom (parents’ song)
  5. Mother of the Bride (parents’ song continued)
  6. Bridesmaids (bridal party song)
  7. Maid / Matron of Honor (bridal party song continued)
  8. Flower Girl & Ring Bearer (bridal party song continued)
  9. Bride & Escort (bride’s song)

There are also a few options for how the wedding party enters. Bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk in as couples, or each group may process in separately and then exit in pairs during the recessional. Either approach works beautifully—we’ll help you choose what feels most natural for your ceremony.

Music Note:
Your processional music can absolutely be simplified. Many couples choose to use one song for grandparents and parents, or even extend the prelude music rather than changing songs for each group. We’ll talk through what feels right for your ceremony flow and musical style.

Recessional (Exit)
After the ceremony, everyone exits in reverse order of honor:
  1. Bride & Groom (recessional song)
  2. Maid/Matron of Honor & Best Man
  3. Wedding Party (in pairs)
  4. Flower Girl & Ring Bearer (if standing)
  5. Parents (general postlude music)
  6. Grandparents
  7. Officiant
  8. Remaining Guests

These are simply guidelines—your ceremony can be as traditional or unique as you’d like.

My flower girl/ring bearer is really young and won’t be able to stand with the wedding party. What should we do?

02

We often recommend little ones walk down the aisle, share a quick hug or wave, and then go straight to sit with their family for the ceremony.

What if one of our escorts needs to walk more than one person down the aisle?

03

This is quite common. Just list their name twice. During rehearsal, we’ll walk them through escorting and then returning to their position. For example, a groom may want to escort a grandmother and then take his place at the altar, or a groomsman may escort the Mother of the Groom and then circle back to his spot before processing with the other groomsmen.

DOES EVERYONE LISTED HAVE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESSIONAL?

01

Not at all. It’s common for grandparents (and sometimes even parents) to be seated before the processional begins. It’s 100% up to you and what feels best for your family.
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