Aisle runner question

Is the bride and her father (or whoever is walking her down) the only ones that are supposed to walk over the aisle runner when the ceremony starts? Is the runner rolled out just before the bride walks down or can other people walk on it too? I'm planning to decorate my aisle runner and have rose petals along the edges but how is that possible if the runner is supposed to be rolled out just before i walk out? Is that only a 'myth'?
I'm planning to close it off so that the GUESTS don't walk all over it but it's ok if my bridal party walks on it right?


*Does this make sense?

I've seen it done both ways.

At my best friend's wedding, the parents and bridal party walked down with no aisle runner and then a close family member ran the runner down the aisle for the flower girl to walk and sprinkle roses and then the bride.

But I believe when people have special runners (like monogrammed), the are run prior to the start of the ceremony so that the entire bridal party walks on it.

In some places, they may only permit you to use the aisle runner if it is secured properly with doublestick tape so that it doesn't bunch and pose a tripping risk - in this case, it would have to be run/placed prior to the start of the actual ceremony.

Hope that helps!

But what if you have rose petals decorated on the sides of the runner? You wait until later to spread it on the sides?? And what if you have a monogramed runner? People don't see it until you walk out?

Is there any etiquette or rule behind who gets to walk on the runner before the bride does??