Catholic Processionals, Recessionals & Seating
Here's the lowdown on who sits where and who walks when at a Catholic wedding.
TAKING SIDES
In Catholic ceremonies, the bride's side makes up the left side of the church and the groom's side fills the right, when looking from back to front. The bride's mother is always seated last (the groom's mother is seated just before her). The seating of the bride's mother signals that the ceremony is starting. Usually, brothers of the bride and groom seat their respective mothers; the head usher can do this if the brothers are in the wedding party, or a brother can seat his mother and then take his place with the other groomsmen. If there is no male sibling in your family, ask your mom whom she'd like to escort her down the aisle.
Ushers may roll out an aisle runner after the bride's mother takes her seat. Traditionally the runner was believed to protect the couple from evil spirits lurking in the floorboards. A red runner connotes honor, while a white runner represents a pure path.
THE CATHOLIC PROCESSION
For a Catholic ceremony, the wedding party enters in this order:
The priest, groom, and best man wait at the altar.
Groomsmen (who walk in from the side or accompanying bridesmaids)
Bridesmaids (starting with the attendant who will stand farthest from the bride -- typically the tallest)
Ring bearer and/or flower girl (child attendants can be seated with their parents once they reach the front)
Honor attendant(s)
The bride, walking to the left of her father or another close male family member. In a Catholic procession, the bride is not given away by her father; he simply accompanies her to the altar.
Or, the priest can welcome the bride and groom at the church entrance. In this instance, the priest may lead the couple and their families from the entrance to the altar, symbolizing family unity.
THE CATHOLIC RECESSIONAL
After the ceremony, the procession is reversed, and the men escort the women in this order:
Bride and groom (bride at groom's left)
Flower girl and ring bearer (optional)
Honor attendants (maid/matron of honor and best man)
Bridesmaids and groomsmen, in pairs
Parents leave the pews directly after the wedding party recesses, followed by the congregation.
TAKING SIDES
In Catholic ceremonies, the bride's side makes up the left side of the church and the groom's side fills the right, when looking from back to front. The bride's mother is always seated last (the groom's mother is seated just before her). The seating of the bride's mother signals that the ceremony is starting. Usually, brothers of the bride and groom seat their respective mothers; the head usher can do this if the brothers are in the wedding party, or a brother can seat his mother and then take his place with the other groomsmen. If there is no male sibling in your family, ask your mom whom she'd like to escort her down the aisle.
Ushers may roll out an aisle runner after the bride's mother takes her seat. Traditionally the runner was believed to protect the couple from evil spirits lurking in the floorboards. A red runner connotes honor, while a white runner represents a pure path.
THE CATHOLIC PROCESSION
For a Catholic ceremony, the wedding party enters in this order:
The priest, groom, and best man wait at the altar.
Groomsmen (who walk in from the side or accompanying bridesmaids)
Bridesmaids (starting with the attendant who will stand farthest from the bride -- typically the tallest)
Ring bearer and/or flower girl (child attendants can be seated with their parents once they reach the front)
Honor attendant(s)
The bride, walking to the left of her father or another close male family member. In a Catholic procession, the bride is not given away by her father; he simply accompanies her to the altar.
Or, the priest can welcome the bride and groom at the church entrance. In this instance, the priest may lead the couple and their families from the entrance to the altar, symbolizing family unity.
THE CATHOLIC RECESSIONAL
After the ceremony, the procession is reversed, and the men escort the women in this order:
Bride and groom (bride at groom's left)
Flower girl and ring bearer (optional)
Honor attendants (maid/matron of honor and best man)
Bridesmaids and groomsmen, in pairs
Parents leave the pews directly after the wedding party recesses, followed by the congregation.
