The wedding details have been decided, the décor is set, and the guests are seated. Now, it's time to begin the wedding ceremony. While walking down the aisle is a big moment for the bride, we'd be remiss to mention that the groom needs his own entrance, too. So, who walks the groom down the aisle?
How the groom walks into the wedding ceremony (and with whom) often depends on the type of wedding the couple is having, including any religious affiliations and the formality. Our experts have all the details on the many ways the groom can walk down the aisle and wait for his partner.
For a Christian Wedding
There are a few options for Christian weddings. The most common is for the grandparents to be seated first, followed by the groom’s parents and the bride’s mother. Then, the officiant leads the groom, best man, and groomsmen to the altar, often from the side instead of down the aisle. If the groomsmen and bridesmaids will be walking together, the officiant will lead the groom in from the side, and then the groomsmen will escort the bridesmaids down the aisle.
Alternatively, the officiant can lead the groom and groomsmen to the altar before anyone else processes (followed immediately by the seating of the grandparents), allowing the groom to watch the entire processional.
For a Jewish Wedding
In a traditional Jewish ceremony, the first person to walk down the aisle is the officiant. He or she is immediately followed by the groom, who is escorted by both his mother and his father. Once at the chuppah, the groom waits outside of the chuppah to greet his bride, while his parents take their traditional place beneath the chuppah.
For a Hindu Wedding
In a Hindu wedding, the groom makes a grand entrance during the baraat, where he arrives on a highly-decorated horse accompanied by his family. Guests are often involved in this procession, along with musicians playing as the groom dances from atop the horse. Once the groom and his family arrive at the ceremony, they are welcomed by the bride’s parents, sometimes with sweets and garlands of flowers. Then, the bride’s parents take the groom’s arms and escort him to the mandap, where the ceremony takes place.
For a Muslim Wedding
The primary ritual at an Islamic wedding is the signing of the Nikah, or marriage contract, meaning a processional doesn’t always occur. However, depending on the couple’s culture and where the wedding is taking place, the ceremony may be preceded by a baraat, similar to the one practiced by Hindus, with the groom arriving on a decorated horse.
For a Non-Denominational or Secular Wedding
If you aren’t having a religious ceremony, there are a number of options to consider. The groom might opt to escort his mother down the aisle and to her seat in the front row, followed closely behind by the groom’s father. This gives the groom an opportunity to give his parents a hug before taking his place at the altar. The groom's parents can also walk down the aisle together, followed by the groom as he walks alone. Or the groom might opt to use one of the above options, such as walking down the aisle with both of his parents. If the groom and groomsmen were greeting guests upon arrival, they may choose to simply take their place at the altar before the processional begins, instead of formally making an entrance. And of course, you can create your own tradition! You might want to both enter the ceremony alone, or could walk down the aisle together, symbolizing the beginning of your journey as a couple.
FAQs
Groom. If the groom is walking down the aisle, he may do so solo or escorted by one or both parents. In a nondenominational ceremony, the groom and his crew stand on the right side of the venue.
Who traditionally walks the groom down the aisle? ›
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.
Who walks in first, mother of bride or groom? ›
The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn. She is the last to be seated before the bridal party procession begins.
Does a mother of the groom walk down the aisle with her son? ›
The groom's parents can also walk down the aisle together, followed by the groom as he walks alone. Or the groom might opt to use one of the above options, such as walking down the aisle with both of his parents.
Who walks you down the aisle at a wedding? ›
While walking down the aisle is primarily a moment for you to shine, the person who escorts you makes the experience even more meaningful. Traditionally, the father of the bride accompanies his daughter during her processional. But many modern brides are choosing alternative ways to make their entrance.
Do fathers of the groom walk down the aisle? ›
Walk Down the Aisle
Chief among father of the groom duties is walking the groom's mother down the aisle. If the groom's parents are divorced and the father is remarried, they should, instead, escort their new spouse down the aisle and to their seat.
What is the correct order of a wedding ceremony? ›
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.
Does the mom walk the groom down? ›
Groom and Parents
He walks down the aisle escorted by his parents, with his father on his left and mother on his right. It is customary for the parents of the groom to stand with the couple under the chuppah, on the left side, for the duration of the ceremony.
Does maid of honor walk alone? ›
The Maid or Matron of Honor
The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.
What should a mother say to her son on his wedding day? ›
To my son and his bride, I want you to know that I will always be here for you, supporting you and cheering you on every step of the way. I wish you a lifetime of love, happiness, and adventures together.
Typically, as per tradition, the mother of the groom will bring a gift for the bride to the bridal shower. It can be something small and thoughtful.
What is the appropriate cash gift for a son's wedding? ›
Bottom line: There's no hard-and-fast rule on how much cash to give as a wedding gift. Wedding experts advise starting at $100. From there, you may want to adjust up to $500 based on factors such as your relationship with the couple, your budget and the cost of your attendance at the wedding.
Who is supposed to walk down the aisle with the groom? ›
Groom: Can walk in with the officiant down the aisle, meet them at the alter from the side, or walk down the aisle with their parents. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: They can walk-in together or individually.
Which mother walks down the aisle first? ›
If grandparents and other family members aren't included in the processional, the couple's parents will walk down the aisle first. The mother of the bride walks down the aisle first, and is often accompanied by a male family member; for example, if the bride has a brother, he will often escort her down the aisle.
How to choose who walks you down the aisle? ›
Honor Mom by asking her to walk with you down the aisle. If you were raised by Mom's family as a joint effort, consider asking extended family members. If you are close to your grandfather or an uncle, ask him to walk you down the aisle and give your hand to your groom. Don't forget to think about your brother.
Is it traditional for groom to walk down the aisle? ›
It's not traditional for a groom to walk down the aisle at all, not at the beginning of the wedding.
Who walks the bride down the aisle if there is no father? ›
Ask your mom, uncle, grandparent, sister or brother. You may consider walking alone if you feel no one can truly fill Dad's shoes. Just remember it may be beneficial to have someone who loves you and supports you at your side for this big moment on your special day.
Do the best man and maid of honor walk together? ›
The best man follows the bridesmaids and groomsmen and can walk down alone or with the maid of honor. He may also be the ring bearer for some weddings, and will stand next to the groom at the altar. Should you choose to have the maid of honor walk down separately, they should follow the best man.
Who walks the groom down the aisle when parents are divorced? ›
So, the order would be groom's stepmother (escorted by groom's father or an usher), groom's mother (escorted by new spouse or usher), bride's stepmother (escorted by an usher), and finally the bride's mother (escorted by her new spouse or an usher).
