Ceremony Etiquette

• Bride Name Change Information • Ceremony Etiquette • Ceremony Music • Cross-Linked Sites • Government Web Sites • Interesting Wedding Facts • Just For The Guys • Online Bridal Planner • Online Store • Wedding Planning Books • Our Newsletter • Rehearsal Helps • Wedding Planning Articles •

evf

We have included answers to some common ceremony questions. Please understand that not everything expressed here is the opinion and or practice of KCW. Also there is a lot of flexibility in ceremony protocol these days...do not be afraid to be creative.

Which side do the guests sit on?

• The left is traditionally the bride's side

• The right side the groom's side

* We really do not think you should worry about who sits where, except for family. Be sure to have close family sit near the front.

* If the two sides look uneven it's perfectly acceptable for the ushers to escort guests to the side that has less people.
* If it’s a Jewish wedding, switch sides...bride on the right, groom on the left

• Reserved seats are for immediate family and anyone else that is important to you. These seats are up front...best seats in the house

• Use bows, decorations or rope off the seats/pews that are reserved

• Let your ushers know who will be sitting in the reserved sections

There are many variations to the processional, here is what we usually recommend:

• Seat the groom's mother

• Seat the bride's mother

• The officiant takes all the groomsmen to the front at the same time

• The processional music starts for the bridesmaids cued by the Officiant

• The bridesmaids come to the front in order leaving some space as the walk...just walk normally...avoid the two step march!

• Maid of honour

• Flower girl and ring bearer come just before the bride unless they may not walk on their own then they should go before the maid of honor

• Bride walks with her father/escort or by herself

* If you have a big wedding party your groomsmen and bridesmaids can walk in pairs

Traditionally, the bride walks on the left side. If the bride has a long train, you might want to consider being on the right side so that the escort doesn’t have to walk around your train to take their seat

• Bride & groom first

• Flower girl & ring bearer next

• Maid of honour & best man

• Bridesmaids & ushers in couple pairs

• Your maid of honour or escort will help you put your veil over your face before you walk down the aisle

• After your escort walks you down the aisle they will turn your veil up and give you a kiss

• Your maid of honour will fix the veil so that it's in place and looks nice

• Before the ceremony put your engagement ring on your right hand

• After the groom puts your wedding band on, you can slip on your engagement ring

* Your wedding band should be worn first so that it's closer to your heart

I'm wearing gloves ... what happens when we exchange rings?

• You can buy gloves with a pre-sewn slit on the ring finger or you can slit the seam of the glove yourself allowing easy access to your ring finger without having to remove your glove.

• Or just remove your gloves

• After your father has kissed you and your maid of honour fixes your veil, you can hand her your bouquet. Your maid of honour will bring your bouquet up to the altar with her when your marriage certificate is being signed and will hand it over to you after you have finished signing. Remember to place your bouquet with the heads of the flowers outwards for the photographer

• Etiquette states that you shouldn't wear white but choose off white or have colored accents sewn into your white dress

• Etiquette also states that you can't wear a veil, choose a tiara, floral head piece or hat

* If you want to stick to etiquette those are the rules. If you don't care about rules then by all means wear whatever you want.

Who walks me down the aisle my father or my stepfather?

• If you are very close to both men your father is the one who gets the privilege.

• Emily Post says it’s a no-no to have both men walk with you but if they get along and you want it that way…go for it. We won’t tell.

If you are not having a reception or a receiving line at your reception location, then yes. Ask the church if they will allow you to have a receiving line on their property first. If there is another wedding immediately following yours, the church may require you to leave the premises.

We will give you two examples of receiving line order.

Not to worry, the Officiant will guide you through the ceremony. They will tell you where to stand, what to say and what to do. Making mistakes and forgetting is a normal occurrence at every wedding.

back to top