how does a typical wedding ceremony go

How does a wedding ceremony go step by step?

Traditional Wedding Ceremony OrderThe Processional. First off, the processional. ... Words of Welcome. Once everyone is in place, the officiant will say a few words of welcome. ... Introduction. ... Readings. ... Officiant Addresses Couple. ... Exchange Vows. ... Ring Exchange. ... The Kiss.More items...•

What normally happens in a wedding ceremony?

Vows: Promises to one another, either handwritten or selected. Exchange of Rings: Ceremonial giving of the sign of love and loyalty. Blessing or Closing Remarks: Final words from the officiant. Pronouncement: Official declaration of marriage.

What is the order of a wedding ceremony entrance?

Officiant stands at the altar. Groom and best man enter from a side door and stand at the altar. Bridesmaids and ushers walk in pairs (if there are uneven numbers, the odd person can walk alone, or two maids or groomsmen can walk together). The maid or matron of honor walks alone.

Who walks the mother of the groom down the aisle?

groomsmanAs the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.

How do you structure your ceremony?

This is the basic wedding ceremony structure.Processional. Every ceremony kicks off with a processional. ... Opening remarks. Once everyone is in their rightful place, the officiant will begin the show. ... Charge to the couple. ... Exchanging of vows. ... Exchanging of rings. ... First kiss. ... The signing. ... Recessional.

Who walks down the aisle and in what order?

The Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right. The Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride. The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.

Does the groom walk down the aisle alone?

Groom. Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.

Who comes down the aisle first in a wedding?

1. Officiant. Your officiant is generally the first person to walk toward the altar, signifying the ceremony is about to commence.

How long is a wedding ceremony on average?

between 20 and 30 minutesWedding ceremonies usually last between 20 and 30 minutes, which is ample time to cover the basics (words of welcome, a few readings, your vows, the ring exchange, and the final pronouncement).

Who walks down the aisle and in what order?

The Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right. The Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride. The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.

What to say to officiant of wedding?

It is traditional for the officiant to say a few words of welcome, thank the guests and welcome them. And it is also important to follow the wedding ceremony timeline as the officiant offers some thoughts on marriage, the ceremony itself and its meaning. Wedding Vows.

Who is the next party to arrive at a wedding?

It is traditional that the next party to arrive is the groom with his best man and groomsmen. However, sometimes the groomsmen are the same people as wedding ushers. The groomsmen wait for the bride and her bridesmaids outside, while the best man settles all money matters.

What do bridesmaids do for the bride?

Bridesmaids also help the bride with the last-minute improvements – they check her hair, gown etc. Flower Girls. The music starts playing, marking the beginning of the ceremony. Here don’t forget to check the wedding day itinerary to guarantee you haven’t forgotten anything.

What does the father do at a wedding?

In a traditional wedding ceremony, the father walks his daughter down the aisle. However, it might change depending on your family situation. Bride & Groom. When the bride and the groom meet, she gives her bouquet to one of the bridesmaids.

How early should a usher arrive for a wedding?

No doubt, wedding ushers are quite important for wedding order of service. Usually, they arrive in advance – about half an hour before the ceremony. In particular, their task is to greet the guests and show them their places, hand out the programs of service etc.

What side of the aisle do parents take?

Parents and close family are the next to arrive. As they take their seats, ushers help them to find their places. The left side of the aisle is usually reserved for the bride’s immediate family and the right side for the groom’s relatives. The parents, except for the father of the bride, take the first pew.

How long should a wedding ceremony be?

Wedding ceremonies are usually anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour long, but keeping them at about 30 minutes is the ideal length for a wedding ceremony. You don’t want them to be too fast, nor do you want your guests to start to fall asleep!

What is the processional in a wedding?

The Processional. This is essentially when the wedding party and the couple enters the ceremony space… ceremoniously! So, traditionally, the groom wouldn’t get a big or main entrance for himself. He’d enter with his mom or perhaps the officiant at the beginning of the processional. This is followed by the entrance of the wedding party.

What does the officiant say in a wedding ceremony?

We have the declaration of marriage, which is usually the last bit of a wedding ceremony! This is where the officiant says “I now pronounce you married. You may kiss.” OR something along those lines. You can adjust the wording to fit your style.

What is cocktail hour?

The cocktail hour gives the guests a chance to mingle and get loosened up before the reception, and also gives the couple, close family members, and the wedding party a chance to take photos with the photographer.

What is the ring exchange?

The ring exchange usually follows the vows. This is where the officiant asks the ring bearer, or whoever’s holding onto the wedding rings, to bring them forward. The couple is asked to place a ring on their partner’s ring finger, and the officiant may ask them to repeat a few standard lines — or not — it’s up to the couple.

Why do people do handfasting ceremonies?

I love handfasting ceremonies for many reasons, but one big reason is that it offers an opportunity to involve more loved ones in the wedding. The “tying of the knot” (which is where this phrase originated) allows opportunities for specially chosen people to bring forward cords to be tied around the couple’s hands.

What do you need to do to be a good wedding guest?

You only need to do what feels right for you and your partner. And that probably means taking into account your specific cultural and religious practices, as well as your personal preferences — instead of simply following an order of events from a blog you read online, or even from weddings that you’ve been to personally as a guest.

What is the part of the wedding ceremony where the bride walks down the aisle?

The Procession . This is the part where the wedding party walks down the aisle and takes their places for the ceremony. You can each make your way to the altar separately, symbolizing the fact that you're coming from different backgrounds.

How many times can a bride and groom circle?

Circling: "The bride and groom may circle each other three times and then circle together once, creating seven circuits," Friedlander explains. "By doing this they are each saying that the other is the center of their universe and they are creating that universe together."

What is the difference between a Jewish wedding and a Christian wedding?

The biggest difference between a Jewish wedding and a Christian wedding, Friedlander says, is that the bride and groom a Jewish wedding are both led in by their parents. When the bride enters with hers, they stop halfway up the aisle where the groom goes to meet them and the two continue their walk to the chuppah after her parents take their places.

What is recessional ceremony?

Generally, the recessional simply follows the reverse order of the processional, with the couple leading the way and the officiant the last to leave. The officiant may exit down the center of the aisle or exit to the side after any closing remarks or offering instructions for wedding guests.

What is required to get married legally?

Typically, all that is required of couples who want to wed from a legal standpoint is a completed state-issued marriage license, an exchange of vows, a verbal agreement to enter a marriage contract and a proclamation that the couple is legally wed.

What is a vow?

Your vows are your promises to each other. You may repeat the familiar "to have and to hold, for better or for worse" vows, or recite ones you've written yourselves.

Do bridesmaids go one by one at a mixed gender wedding?

Mixed-gender wedding parties are more common these days, particularly for LGBTQ+ weddings, Rae says, so more often than not, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other bridal party members are no longer entering two-by-two with linked arms. "Sometimes they will go one-by-one, sometimes it will be one side then the next," she explains.

What is the processional of a wedding?

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.

What does the officiant say at a wedding?

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.

What does the officiant say in the 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…” .

Why do couples write their own vows?

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.

What is the unity ceremony?

Some unity ceremony ideas include the mixing of two different colors of sand or water to symbolize two becoming one or a candle lighting.

Can you share readings at a marriage ceremony?

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.

Is the order of a wedding the same?

As you gear up for the big day, you’ve probably put a lot of thought into the order of ceremony for your wedding. The most important thing to know is that no two wedding ceremonies are alike. Even though most follow the same generic order, the couple is free to customize their order of 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.

What are the phases of a wedding?

Traditionally, a wedding is broken down into three phases: the processional, ceremony, and recessional. Find what makes you most comfortable and happy for your perfect wedding day! Weddings are joyous occasions: celebrations of love, of family, and of life. Part of what makes weddings so magnificent is their individual uniqueness.

What is the traditional wedding order?

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Order. The tradition of weddings in the US is heavily informed by Judeo-Christian wedding rites. Many weddings follow the basic structure of this tradition, regardless of the religious identity or practices (or lack thereof) of the spouses-to-be.

What does an officiant say in a wedding ceremony?

To begin, the officiant welcomes all parties and speaks about love and marriage, in general, and then about the marrying couple and ceremony.

How long does an Indian wedding last?

You might have heard that Indian weddings are elaborate affairs, lasting anywhere up to a week, which is absolutely true. Indian wedding ceremonies are so complex that one paragraph can’t simply do them justice. Some highlights of what to expect, include:

What happens when the processional comes to a close?

Whatever form it takes, as the processional comes to a close, the ceremony proper begins.

What does the speaker share with the spouse?

Literature: The speaker may share a piece of a poem, novel, play, or something of significance to one or both of the spouses-to-be.

Where do you put a wedding band?

Then, each spouse-to-be places a wedding band on the other’s finger. Traditionally, each partner says “With this ring, I thee wed,” and then the groom places the ring on the bride’s finger, followed by the bride placing a ring on the groom’s finger.

What happens during a wedding music?

Music typically changes between the seating, the wedding processional, the interludes (i.e., lighting of the candles, before or after a reading, during a cultural element, etc.), the recessional, and the postlude as guest exit the ceremony area.

Why is the wedding ceremony the shortest part of the wedding day?

Although the ceremony is typically the shortest part of your wedding day, it is also the essential reason that you , your fiancé, and your friends and family are gathered to celebrate. Unfortunately, too many couples end up disappointed after relying on their officiant to handle the details of the service without any input.

What to add to a wedding ceremony?

You can add your personal touches to different elements of the ceremony, such as music, vows, readings, and incorporating other cultural traditions . One thing you want to be sure to review with your officiant is the opening remarks. Make sure that you work on these remarks together with your officiant prior to the wedding day so that you are comfortable and at ease with what will be said.

How to make sure your vows are not short straw?

Make sure your vow exchange doesn’t draw the short straw of the day – familiarize yourself with the standard outline of a wedding-ceremony service and consider in advance what you’d like to lose or incorporate.

Which side of the aisle should the bride be at a Jewish wedding?

If you do choose to follow this tradition, be aware that bride’s side is to the left in a Christian wedding, and the on the right for a Jewish wedding.

Who enters the processional?

The processional begins with the officiant entering from the side. The grandparents of the groom are seated first, followed in order by the grandparents of the bride, the parents of the groom, and then the mother of the bride. After all family members are seated, the groom enters from the side along with the best man.

Can you alter the order of a wedding processional?

Depending on your religion and the participants in the wedding, this order can be altered to best suit your needs. For more ideas, get tips on how to order wedding processionals for nontraditional families.

What is a processional in a wedding?

While others ask, what is the processional in a wedding? For starters, the wedding processional refers to the specific people who walk down the aisle at a wedding ceremony. Aside from the couple, other members of the ceremony take to the aisle, from the parents and grandparents to the officiant and wedding party.

Who will be the last in the wedding party procession?

The bridesmaids and groomsmen will follow. Oftentimes, they will partner up and usher themselves down the aisle together. The best man and maid/matron of honor will be the last in the wedding party procession as they will take their places closest to the altar.

What does a flower girl do at a wedding?

The flower girl rounds out the wedding procession right before the bride enters. She will scatter flower petals and make her way to either the wedding party at the altar or her family in the crowd.

Which side of the aisle should the groom sit on?

Depending on your wedding preferences, you may ask the family of the groom to sit on the right side and the family of the bride on the left side. 4. Mother of the Bride. If there is a mother of the bride, she will be next in the wedding procession. Usually, she will have someone ushering her down the aisle.

Where do grandparents sit in a wedding?

2. Grandparents. Typically the grandparents of the couple are next to walk down the aisle and find their seats in the front row. 3. Parents. Next, the parents of the couple follow the grandparents down the aisle, sitting in the first two seats in the front row, next to the grandparents.

Who is the next member of the wedding procession?

The ring bearer is the next member in the wedding procession to walk down the aisle. Depending on his age, he can either stand with the groomsmen or take a seat with his family members.

Is it ok to ask questions at a wedding?

While there's a lot to keep straight, it's ok to ask questions. In fact, many couples ask us questions about the correct wedding procession order. Who goes where and when? While others ask, what is the processional in a wedding?

What is the purpose of a wedding ceremony?

The primary goal should be to give each guest a clear impression that you, as a couple, are making a solemn, eternal covenant with each other before God. Your wedding ceremony should be a testimony of your lives before God, demonstrating your Christian witness.

What is the central focus of a wedding?

The wedding vows are the central focus of the service. The Bride and Groom promise publicly, before God and the witnesses present, to do everything within their power to help each other grow and become what God has created them to be, despite all adversities, as long as they both shall live.

Why is it important to give away the bride?

The giving away of the Bride is an important way to involve parents of the Bride and Groom in the wedding ceremony. When parents are not present, some couples ask a godparent or a godly mentor to give away the bride.

What is the call to worship?

The Call to Worship. In a Christian wedding ceremony the opening remarks that typically begin with "Dearly Beloved" are a call or invitation to worship God. These opening remarks will invite your guests and witnesses to participate together with you in worship as you join in holy matrimony.

What should be included in a Christian wedding?

Your Christian wedding ceremony can be individually tailored, but ought to include expressions of worship, reflections of joy, celebration, community, respect, dignity, and love. The Bible gives no specific pattern or order to define exactly what should be included, so there's room for your creative touches. The primary goal should be ...

Where do bridesmaids enter the bridal processional?

If the Groomsmen are not escorting the Bridesmaids down the aisle to the altar, they also enter together with the Minister and Groom. Bridesmaids enter, usually down the center aisle, one at a time.

What is the opening prayer of a wedding?

The opening prayer, often called the wedding invocation, typically includes thanksgiving and a call for God's presence and blessing to be upon the service which is about to begin. At some point in the service you may wish to say a wedding prayer together as a couple.

Traditional Wedding Ceremony Order Outline

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Cultural & Religious Wedding Ceremony Order Ideas

Common Questions About The Wedding Ceremony Order