Weddings 101: The Wedding Processional Order | Austin’s Best DJs

The wedding processional order will depend on the type of wedding ceremony you’re having. We usually see a religious or civil ceremony, and sometimes a military wedding ceremony. We’ll discuss what we normally see at our weddings and events, but remember, this is your big day, so you can do whatever you’d like, traditional or not! 🙂 Here are the processional orders, explained.

Christian Wedding Ceremony Processional Order

We provide our DJ and photo booth services for numerous weddings, every month, all year long. Most weddings that we do are traditional, Christian weddings. The Christian processionals and recessionals usually follow the same order. The wedding processional order in a Christian, heterosexual wedding ceremony is:

1. First, the officiant walks down the aisle. Then, the officiant stands at the altar. Sometimes, the groom will walk with the officiant, but usually not. 
2. Next, the groom and best man walk to the altar; sometimes, they will walk down the aisle, often they will approach the altar from a side entrance, then they stand at the altar.
3. Next, the wedding party enters. They usually enter in pairs. If there are uneven numbers, usually two bridesmaids or groomsmen can walk together, with the escort.
4. Next, the maid or matron of honor walks down the aisle, usually alone. If there are more than one, then we’ve seen them walk down the aisle, separately, and we’ve also seen them walk together. 
5. Then, the ring bearer walks down the aisle, alone; then, the flower girl, or boy, will follow, or all of the children can walk together. 
6. Finally, the bride and her father (or whoever she chooses) proceed, with the bride walking on the right side of her father. We’re also seeing the trend that both parents will escort the bride. We’ve also seen step-parents walk in, as well. Again, this is your big day, so do what feels right for you! 

Once everyone is at the altar, the bride stands on the left, and the groom on the right, facing the officiant. The best man stands on the right, with the ring bearer and ushers to his right.

The maid of honor stands beside the bride, with the flower girl and bridesmaids to her left. (If the ring bearer, flower girl/boy or other children are too young to stand quietly throughout the wedding ceremony, usually their parents will wait for them at the end of the aisle, and sit with them during the ceremony. ​

Same-Sex Weddings Processional Order

Today, wedding ceremonies are becoming less traditional. Whether the ceremony is religious or not, couples should do what they want to do. There are no set rules and there is no set order for a same-sex wedding. You can borrow procedures from a religious ceremony, or simply create your own.

Just discuss what works for you, write it down (or your planner will), and practice it at the rehearsal. Again, what’s most important is that the ceremony feels right for you! 

Here’s an example of the wedding processional order in a same-sex wedding ceremony.
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1. First, the officiant walks down the aisle. Then, the officiant stands at the altar. Sometimes, bride/groom #1 will walk with the officiant, but usually not. 
   • Keep in mind, in Texas, anyone can be “ordained” and become the wedding officiant. We see friends and family often perform the wedding ceremony, which can be more meaningful.
2. Next, the bride/groom #1 and best man/woman walk to the altar; sometimes, they will walk down the aisle, often they will approach the altar from a side entrance, then they stand at the altar.
3. After this, the wedding party enters. They usually enter in pairs. If there are uneven numbers, usually two bridesmaids or groomsmen can walk together, with the escort.
4. Then, the maid/matron of honor, or man of honor, walk down the aisle, usually alone. If there are more than one, then we’ve seen them walk down the aisle, separately, and we’ve also seen them walk together. Again, do what feels right. 
5. Following the bridal party, the ring bearer walks down the aisle, alone; after, the flower girl, or boy, will follow, or all of the children can walk together. 
6. Finally, bride/groom #2 and his/her parent (or whomever he/she chooses) proceed, with the bride/groom walking on the right side of the parent. We’ve also seen both parents escort the bride/groom. 

The Ceremony Begins

Once everyone is at the altar, the bride/groom #2 stands on the left, and the bride/groom #1 is on the right, facing the officiant. The best man/woman stands on the right, with the ring bearer and ushers to his/her right.

The maid/matron or man of honor stands beside the bride/groom, with the flower girl and bridesmaids to the left. (If the ring bearer, flower girl/boy or other children are too young to stand quietly throughout the wedding ceremony, usually their parents will wait for them at the end of the aisle, and sit with them during the ceremony).  

We hope this wedding processional order article has been helpful. By no means is our lists the only way. As always, feel free to contact us and we’ll be happy to help! For more great info, check out the How to Organize a Wedding Procession article. For help with wedding music, read our Choosing the Perfect Wedding Music article! 

– Austin’s Best DJs & Photo Booths