[puchi57]

My daughter is getting married. She has 1 maid of honor, 4 brides maids, 1 flower girl. She also has 1 best man, 4 groomsmen, 1 ring bearer, she with dad as escort. How do the grooms parents and I go in. Are we escorted? And then can the groomsmen walk with the bridesmaids or separately?

[Jacqueline]

Hi Puchi

Wedding ceremonies whether traditional or not have a processional format to follow. Recently wedding ceremony processionals and recessionals have become a popular topic.

The following is the traditional processional format for protestant wedding:

Groomsmen/Ushers are selected to direct or escort guests to their seats. After the guests have been seated and it is time for the ceremony to begin, the Grooms parents are seated first followed by the brides mother escorted by a Groomsman/Usher. Once the parents are seated it is cue for the officiant, groom, and groomsmen to proceed from the sacristy or waiting area to the altar. Once in place, the Bridesmaids will proceed down the aisle.

There are two commonly used processional entrance for the bridal party:

1)The bridesmaids walk down the aisle and the groomsmen meets them midway and walk together to the altar or

2) they can walk down the aisle together towards to the altar. If your daughter and fiance wish to personalized their processional, make sure they run it by the officiant.

Best wishes to your daughter/fiance and the family...

[Nancy Tucker]

All great information Jacqueline. Also the processional can be dominated by the clergy and church policy. In some instances there are no allowances for anything other than tradition. First check with the church and their policy and then you and your daughter can make the decision together.