Wedding Procession – Your Royal Wedding
For the past few days, the number one topic on all wedding portals has been the Royal Wedding. The wedding of the royal couple is undoubtedly a big event, so it’s no surprise that the eyes of the world were on Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan. Many commentators focused on the stunning beauty of the bride, her modest yet undoubtedly beautiful and symbolic gown. Queen Elizabeth II, Duchess Kate, and celebrities attending the event also garnered attention for their outfits. However, what caught my attention was the wedding procession.
I must admit that just a few years ago, I thought there were only two possible ways for the couple to enter the church:
- The couple enters the church together, followed by the witnesses
- The groom and his best man wait at the altar, while the bride is escorted by her father
I had an epiphany when my husband (then fiancé) invited me to a wedding in Spain. The moment of entering the church was spectacular because it involved as many as 20 people:
- Flower girls scattering petals
- The priest
- 5 bridesmaids and 5 groomsmen
- The bride’s mother with the groom’s father (in Spain, parents serve as witnesses)
- The groom with his mother
- A boy carrying the rings
- The bride with her father
- Children carrying the veil
Starting the ceremony this way made a huge impression, as it looked dignified and special while building anticipation for the arrival of the bride.
As it turned out, there are many more ways to “enter” the church, some of which I’ll outline below 🙂 . It all depends on the type of ceremony, the number of bridesmaids and groomsmen (if there are any), family dynamics (e.g., parents may be divorced), and the personalities of your closest loved ones – not everyone feels comfortable with all eyes on them. So, remember to discuss the procession with the people you want to include before surprising them with the plan. Don’t forget to ask for the priest’s approval (for a civil ceremony, inform the officiant as well as the organist). They usually have no objections, especially if you emphasize that this is a very important moment for you. However, to avoid unnecessary stress, make sure to agree on everything in advance.
It’s also crucial to have a Plan B, especially if there are children involved in the procession, as they may become overwhelmed, cry, or run away. Decide in advance who will carry the rings in such a situation (brother/best man/friend). A key element is rehearsing the procession. It’s best to plan this a few days before the ceremony after arranging it with the priest.
Pay attention to the order and pace – it should be calm but not too slow, and note the timing of when each pair enters. Having someone to signal when to enter is a great help, whether it’s a sister, a friend, or a wedding planner.
IMPORTANT: Don’t forget to smile, as it is the most beautiful accessory for every bride. Only with it will the wedding procession be perfect 🙂
I encourage you to explore different versions of the wedding procession and choose the one closest to your heart.
- Wedding procession involving all close family members (very elaborate) Flower girl scattering petals Grandparents Bride’s mother with groom’s father Siblings Bridesmaids and groomsmen (in pairs or in a line) Witnesses Groom with his mother Boy carrying the rings Bride with her father Children carrying the veil
- Wedding procession – the couple enters together Flower girl scattering petals Priest Boy carrying the rings The couple Optionally, children carrying the veil
- Wedding procession – groom waits for the bride at the altar Groom and best man waiting at the altar Flower girl scattering petals Bridesmaids and groomsmen Maid of honor Boy carrying the rings Bride with her father Optionally, children carrying the veil