How do wedding processionals work?

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The wedding processional is the formal entry of the wedding party at the ceremony. Wedding processionals generally follow a precise order, but alternatives are utilized as circumstances require. There are differences in processionals based on religion. For non-religious ceremonies, the processional is entirely in the hands of the wedding couple.

1. Members

   • The members of a wedding processional include the bride, groom, best man, maid and/or matron of honor, ushers or groomsmen, bridesmaids, grandparents of the bride and groom, parents of the bride and groom, ring bearer and flower bearer. Smaller weddings may not have all of these members. Larger weddings go beyond this list to include junior ushers or junior groomsmen and bridesmaids.

   Religious Differences

   • There are differences between Christian and Jewish wedding processionals. For example, in a Jewish ceremony, the groomsmen walk down the aisle in pairs, whereas at a Christian ceremony, they walk in from the side at the start of the processional, or they accompany the bridesmaids down the aisle. At a Christian ceremony, the best man and groom enter with the officiant after the guests are seated, while at a Jewish ceremony, the groom may come in with the rabbi or with his parents. At Jewish ceremonies, both parents accompany the bride down the aisle, while it is usually only the father who accompanies his daughter during a Christian ceremony.

   General Order

   • Most wedding processionals follow a particular order, with some exceptions based on religion and others based on circumstance. The grandparents of the bride and groom are escorted to their seats by the ushers or groomsmen, followed by the parents. Next, the ushers or groomsmen walk down the aisle, followed by, or accompanying, the bridesmaids. Some processionals have the ring and flower bearers go first, while others have them after the maid or matron of honor. Depending on the preferred tradition, the groom may enter next, accompanied by his parents, followed by the bride and her parents, or the father of the bride may accompany the bride alone if the groom is at the front already.

   Music

   • The music for a wedding processional typically starts after the parents of the bride have been seated. Common selections for processionals include Beethoven's "-Moonlight Sonata,"- Schubert's "-Ave Maria"- and Gershwin's "-Rhapsody in Blue."- The processional music typically changes or increases in volume right before the entry of the bride.

Source: www.ehow.com

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