It’s a well-known fact that no two wedding ceremonies are alike, and that includes the order of wedding ceremony. Even though most follow the same generic order, the couple is free to customize the order of their ceremony to their own unique style. Whether that means incorporating religious or cultural traditions or throwing a celebratory fist in the air during the kiss, each couple can and should make their ceremony a reflection of their personal relationship. We’ve compiled a list of the complete order of wedding ceremony to help shape your special day, from the processional to the recessional. Once you’ve added your creative touches, add the order of your ceremony to beautiful wedding programs and be sure to pick up other great day-of wedding stationery and accessories, including menus, guestbooks, napkins, and more.
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Order Of Wedding Ceremony
Processional
The processional begins with bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle, typically paired up. The maid of honor and best man walk down after all other bridesmaids and groomsmen have made their way down the aisle. The ring bearer will then carry the rings to the altar, followed by the flower girl.
In a traditional Christian processional, the bride is walked down the aisle by her father while the groom waits at the altar. In a traditional Jewish processional, the groom’s parents escort him down the aisle, followed by the bride being escorted down the aisle by her parents.
Opening Remarks
Next, come the opening remarks. These include any words of welcome that the officiant may express. Typically, they begin with “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…” or some may just address the crowd as “Friends and family…”.
The officiant may then share the significance of marriage with the crowd or a small antidote of your love story. You can delegate what you would prefer your officiant to open with ahead of time if you wish to do so.
Readings
A few people may be invited up to share or exchange readings at this point in the ceremony. Whether these readings are religious, spiritual, or excerpts from your favorite romance novel, you can tailor the readings to reflect you and your partners idea of love and marriage.
Officiant Addresses the Couple
The officiant will then address the couple, emphasizing the significance of the responsibilities or marriage and vows in which the couple is about to take.
Exchange of Vows
The wedding vows provide the couple with a great opportunity to add a personal touch to the ceremony. Couples may choose to write their own vows to each other, exchange how they first met and reflect on their relationship or use the traditional phrasing guided by the officiant. This is your opportunity to make a special promise to your love, so plan how you wish to express this feeling in advance.
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Ring Exchange
Right after the vows comes the ring exchange. The officiant will prompt the ring bearer to present the rings. Typically, you will say “With this ring, I thee wed…”. Remember to place the ring on your partner’s left hand, as this side is closer to the heart. The bride’s wedding band will be placed on the same finger as the engagement ring.
Pronouncement of Marriage
Once the rings have been properly placed, the officiant will pronounce you and your love husband and wife. Now it’s time to officially seal the deal.
The Kiss
Next comes the most anticipated moment of the whole ceremony. The officiant will say “You may now kiss the bride”. Some grooms will choose to dip their bride as they kiss them or lift them off their feet in a warm embrace. No matter what you and your partner choose to do, it will definitely be a magical moment and a must-have wedding photo that you’ll look back on for the rest of your life.
Unity Ceremony
Some couples opt to have a unity ceremony after the first kiss. Some unity ceremony ideas include the mixing of two different colors of sand or water to symbolize two becoming one or a candle lighting.
Closing Remarks
The officiant will end the ceremony with a few closing words. For a religious ceremony, he or she will also include a blessing for the couple to have a long and happy marriage.
The Recessional
The bride and groom are the first to exit during the recessional. They are then followed by the flower girl and the ring bearer. The maid of honor and best man will then make their way down the aisle, followed by the remaining bridesmaids and groomsmen. The bride and groom’s parents will then exit. The guests should be the last to exit and will make their way to the co*cktail hour or reception.
More Great Wedding Ideas
When adding the order of wedding ceremony to your wedding programs, be sure to mention who’s who in the wedding party to properly acknowledge your friends and family who helped to make this day so special. And be sure to check out our wedding invitations, save the dates (including the ever-popular save the date magnets),wedding announcements, and more wedding cards.
Now that your wedding ceremony has gone off without a hitch, it’s party time! Celebrate your marriage with all of your family and friends at the reception where you’ll pop some bubbly, indulge in a fabulous wedding cake and dance the night away.
If you have a smaller guest list or want a more intimate celebration, check out these inspiring backyard wedding ideas. As the night draws to a close, have your guests participate in a unique wedding send-off idea to match the theme of your wedding. Regardless of how you choose to execute your ceremony and reception, it is sure to be a day that you and your partner cherish for the rest of your lives.
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FAQs
In a traditional wedding ceremony, the processional begins with the bride's mother before the groom, best man, wedding party, flower girl, and ring bearer follow. The bride, who is escorted by her father, is the last to make her way down the aisle.
Who walks down the aisle in what order? ›
This would be considered a traditional order of walking down the aisle: start with the officiant and groom, followed by family members - grandparents, parents of the groom, and mother of the bride. Next is the wedding party, ring bearer, and flower girl. Lastly, the bride enters, escorted by the father of the bride.
Do vows or declaration of intent come first? ›
In a secular wedding ceremony, which Dent notes is most common today, the wedding officiant will start with an opening, followed by any readings. Then, she says, the couple will do their exchange of vows and immediately follow them with the declaration of intent.
Do you say "I do before or after the rings"? ›
In a traditional wedding ceremony order, the vows are followed by the ring exchange. The groom usually goes first, though we invite you to be progressive. He puts the wedding band on the bride's finger while repeating a phrase like, “I give this ring as a sign of my love.” Then, it's the bride's turn.
Who comes first in a wedding ceremony? ›
The ushers enter first, then the groomsmen and bridesmaids enter one couple at a time, each with the partner they accompanied down the aisle during the wedding processional, then the best man and maid of honor, followed by the bride and groom. What order do people walk out in a wedding ceremony?
Who walks in first, mother of bride or groom? ›
Parents. Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
Who walks mother of the bride down the aisle? ›
Traditionally, a groomsman should walk the mother of the bride down the aisle.
Does the maid of honor walk alone? ›
Maid of Honor/Matron of Honor
Before she walks down the aisle, she should do a final check to make sure the bride's veil, dress, and train look perfect. Then she walks down the aisle solo, following the rest of the bridesmaids, and stands at the bride's side during the ceremony.
Who says "I do first"? ›
In a traditional wedding, the groom is usually the one to say his vows first. But today, either part of the couple has the option of saying their vows first. This preference on vows varies depending on what you select as a couple, your beliefs, what your officiant recommends, or the order of events you choose.
Do rings come after declaration of intent? ›
Typically, the declaration of intent will happen towards the beginning of your ceremony. It usually happens before your vows and ring exchange. Check out our sample wedding ceremony to find out exactly what happens and when during a ceremony.
You must exchange vows for a marriage to be legal. Generally, you can either say the vows yourselves, repeat them after your registrar or clergy member, or say “I do” to them.
Do you wear your engagement ring on your wedding day? ›
Traditional Ring Etiquette
Traditional etiquette would require the bride to wear her engagement ring on her right ring finger to walk down the aisle. During the exchanging of the rings, the groom would place the wedding band on the bride's left finger.
How does the officiant introduce the vows? ›
Officiant (to bride and groom): As I guide you in exchanging your vows, you, (Groom's name), and you, (Bride's name) will declare your intentions for a lasting partnership in love and marriage. Are you prepared to do this? Bride and Groom: Yes!
How do you end a wedding ceremony? ›
The traditional wording is, “Alex you may kiss your bride!” But contemporary options include, “You may share your first married kiss!” or “Bailey you may kiss your groom!” for a twist. Of course, they may have asked that you not say anything at all; you just step back and they have at it.
Who says vows first? ›
In a traditional wedding, the groom is usually the one to say his vows first. But today, either part of the couple has the option of saying their vows first. This preference on vows varies depending on what you select as a couple, your beliefs, what your officiant recommends, or the order of events you choose.
Who walks down the aisle first? ›
1. Officiant. The officiant can be given the opening spot in the processional and walk down the aisle first. Alternatively, the officiant can enter the ceremony from the side of the venue to take his/her place at the altar.
What is a traditional wedding ceremony script? ›
Traditional Wedding Ceremony Script
We are gathered here today to join [Name] and [Name] in holy matrimony. [Name], I promise to cherish you always, to honor and sustain you, in sickness and in health, in poverty and in wealth, and to be true to you in all things until death alone shall part us.
Who walks the mother of the bride down the aisle? ›
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
