Walking down the aisle during a wedding ceremony is a special honor reserved for close family members. The tradition symbolizes giving the bride away to her new husband and family. So which relatives typically have this privilege?
The Father of the Bride
In most traditional Western weddings, the father of the bride has the honor of walking her down the aisle and “giving her away” to the groom. This goes back to when daughters were considered the property of their fathers until they got married. Nowadays, it symbolizes the father entrusting his daughter’s care to her new husband.
If the bride’s father is absent, she may choose another important male figure in her life to fill the role, such as:
- Stepfather
- Grandfather
- Uncle
- Brother
- Close family friend
The bride’s mother does not typically walk her down the aisle. Her role is reserved for the processional.
The Mother of the Bride and Groom
After the bride’s entrance, the mother of the bride is next to walk down the aisle. She is escorted by the head usher or another important male figure. The groom’s mother follows, also accompanied by an usher.
The mothers are formally announced before taking their places in the front rows. Their processional symbolizes their support for the union and acceptance of the new in-laws.
Flower Girl and Ring Bearer
The flower girl and ring bearer are special spots reserved for the bride and groom’s youngest relatives or friends. Typical ages range from 3 to 8 years old.
The flower girl walks down the aisle first, scattering flower petals to set the stage for the bride’s entrance. The ring bearer follows, carefully carrying the wedding rings on a cushion or in a special carrier.
Including these young attendants represents innocence and new beginnings for the couple. It also allows the bride and groom to honor their nieces, nephews, godchildren and other children close to them.
The Wedding Party Processional
After the mothers and young attendants make their way down the aisle, the bridal party is next to walk in pairs:
- Groomsmen escorted by bridesmaids
- Followed by the maid of honor and best man
The best man stands to the right of the groom, while the maid of honor stands to the left of the spot for the bride. The groomsmen and bridesmaids file into the next set of spots in the line.
The wedding party processional signals that the bride is about to make her entrance. Their paired walk symbolizes the joining of the bride and groom’s families and friends.
The Bride’s Grand Entrance
The wedding ceremony builds up to the bride’s walk down the aisle, which is often accompanied by special music. All guests rise to watch her grand entrance.
Escorted by her father or another usher, the bride gracefully walks down the aisle to meet her groom. Her solo walk represents the transition from her old life to starting a new one joined with her husband.
Once she reaches the front, the usher lifts her veil and places her hand in the groom’s hand, entrusting her care to him. This is one of the most emotional moments for many of the wedding guests.
Honorary Roles for Family
Beyond the processionals, family members often take on other ceremonial roles in the wedding:
| Role | Typical Family Member |
|---|---|
| Officiant | Family friend or member ordained as clergy |
| Scripture reader | Sibling, aunt/uncle, cousin |
| Soloist/musician | Musically inclined relative or friend |
| Candle/sand ceremony | Parents, grandparents, children |
| Formal toast | Father of bride, sibling, close friend |
Including meaningful family members and friends helps make the ceremony special and personal for the couple.
Non-Traditional Family Roles
While many weddings follow the traditional format, some couples put unique spins on the event:
- Both parents, or just the mother, walk the bride down the aisle
- The bride walks solo or escorts herself down the aisle
- Children or grandchildren serve as flower girl/ring bearer
- Couple walks down aisle together in unified processional
Same-sex weddings may have both partners walk down the aisle individually or jointly. Gender roles are often minimized or exchanged in LGBTQ+ ceremonies.
At the end of the day, it’s up to the couple whose support they want highlighted at the wedding. The timeline is simply a suggested order that can be customized to fit their family and preferences.
Honoring Deceased Loved Ones
If the bride or groom’s parents or grandparents have passed away, they can still be included symbolically:
- Display photos at the ceremony and reception
- Light memorial candles
- Designate reserved seats in their honor
- Mention them in the program
For the processional, the bride may attach a locket with a photo of her father to her bouquet and walk down the aisle solo or with her brother, uncle, or another loved one.
Conclusion
The wedding processional symbolically joins two individuals and their families into one new union. Traditionally, the father of the bride escorts her down the aisle followed by the wedding party and mothers. However, couples can personalize the event to honor relatives and friends in meaningful ways.
At its heart, a wedding is about celebrating love and commitment with your closest supporters. The aisle walk spotlights those special relationships for all to witness on your joyous day.