Planning/Wedding day etiquette
Wedding day etiquette · CeremonyWho walks, and when
The processional is the most choreographed minute of the day. Here is the traditional order for the ceremonies we photograph most, and the recessional that reverses it.
- Typical lengthThree to six minutes
- SpacingHalf the aisle between walkers
- RehearseWith the real music
- RecessionalThe reverse, but faster
There is no wrong order, only an unrehearsed one. Pick a tradition, then make it yours.
The orders below are the most common versions. Families adapt them constantly: a grandparent walks with a grandchild, siblings replace a parent, the couple walks in together. Your officiant and coordinator will help set the final order at the rehearsal.
Seat the honoured family first, so they are in place for the wedding party’s entrance, and always leave space between walkers so each person has their own moment.
The traditional processional
| Order | Who | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Officiant | Takes their place at the front, sometimes with the groom and best man from a side door. |
| 2 | Grandparents | Groom’s first, then the bride’s, escorted to front-row seats. |
| 3 | Groom’s parents | Seated on the groom’s side, usually the right facing the altar. |
| 4 | Mother of the bride | The last person seated; her entrance signals the start. |
| 5 | Groom and best man | If they did not enter with the officiant. |
| 6 | Groomsmen and bridesmaids | In pairs, or bridesmaids alone with groomsmen already at the front. |
| 7 | Maid or matron of honor | Walks alone, or with the best man. |
| 8 | Ring bearer and flower girl | Together or one after the other. |
| 9 | The bride and her escort | Guests stand as the music changes. |
A Catholic ceremony
A Catholic processional closely follows the traditional order. The priest and the groom often enter from the sacristy or a side door and wait at the front. Parents and grandparents are seated first, then the wedding party walks, followed by the bride with her father or both parents. Some parishes have their own customs; ask the wedding coordinator at the church early.
See how we approach a church timeline in our church wedding photography timeline.
A Jewish processional
| Order | Who |
|---|---|
| 1 | Rabbi and cantor |
| 2 | Bride’s grandparents |
| 3 | Groom’s grandparents |
| 4 | Groomsmen, in pairs or alone |
| 5 | Best man |
| 6 | The groom, between his parents |
| 7 | Bridesmaids |
| 8 | Maid or matron of honor |
| 9 | Ring bearer and flower girl |
| 10 | The bride, between her parents |
Parents often stand under or beside the chuppah during the ceremony. Read more about the ketubah signing that comes before.
A Hindu wedding entrance
The baraat
The groom arrives in a procession with music and dancing, on a horse, in a car or on foot, with his family and friends.
The welcome
The bride’s family greets the groom’s family at the entrance, often with a milni or aarti, and the groom is led to the mandap.
The bride’s entrance
The bride walks in, often escorted by her brothers or uncles, sometimes beneath a canopy of flowers held over her.
Exact customs vary widely by region and family. See our South Asian wedding photography page and our auspicious wedding dates guide.
The recessional, in reverse
The couple
Out first, ideally slowly, and with a kiss halfway.
Flower girl and ring bearer
If they are still standing up front.
Maid or matron of honor and best man
Together, arm in arm.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen
In pairs.
Parents and grandparents
Bride’s parents, then the groom’s, then grandparents.
The officiant
Last, or remaining at the front to release the guests.
Spacing is everything. When walkers bunch up, three couples share one frame and nobody gets their own photograph. Ask your coordinator to send each pair when the previous one is halfway down.
Lulan Studio · wedding photographers & filmmakers
The processional, answered
What is the order of a wedding processional?
Traditionally: officiant, grandparents, groom’s parents, mother of the bride, groom and best man, wedding party, maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl, then the bride and her escort.
Who walks first in a wedding processional?
Usually the officiant takes their place first, then grandparents and parents are seated before the wedding party walks.
What is the Jewish wedding processional order?
Rabbi and cantor, grandparents, groomsmen and best man, the groom with his parents, bridesmaids and maid of honor, children, then the bride with her parents.
What is the recessional order?
The couple leads, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer, the maid of honor and best man, the wedding party in pairs, parents, grandparents and the officiant.
Keep reading, before the big day
All twenty guides live in our wedding day etiquette collection.
Planning the day? Let’s talk it through.
Tell us who is speaking, who is walking and when the dancing starts. We will help you build a timeline that gives every one of these moments its light, and photograph them so they last.