| Wedding Ceremonies are changing. Gone are the | | | | arm, and walks the following few steps to meet |
| days when everything is done as prescribed by | | | | the groom. (This is a great option if you want to |
| tradition and ritual. Contemporary brides are | | | | include your mother, but she doesn't want to |
| looking for innovative ways to say "I do" and that | | | | escort you all the way down the aisle) |
| often starts with the processional itself. Here are | | | | 7. After the bridal party enters, the Bride and |
| some unique ways to get down the aisle: | | | | Groom walk in together. Why not start your |
| | | | ceremony as you live your life...together! |
| 1. Groom waits up front with best man and | | | | 8. The bridal party enters. As the Bride begins her |
| groomsmen. Bridesmaids enter one by one, | | | | entrance, either with one or both parents, she has |
| unescorted, followed by flower girl/ring-bearer, | | | | no flowers. Her father (and mother) hand her a |
| with Bride entering last. Note: This is the best | | | | flower and she begins walking down the aisle. At |
| choice if your numbers of men and women in | | | | the end of the rows, lining the aisle, the Bride's |
| your bridal party are not equal. | | | | girlfriends, bridal party, or any family members |
| 2. Groom wait up front with best man. | | | | stand and hand her a flower as she passes |
| Groomsmen and bridesmaids enter as couples, | | | | by--giving her a hug as they do so. The Bride is |
| followed by children and then Bride. | | | | gathering her bouquet as she makes her entrance! |
| 3. Groom begins processional, either with his best | | | | (Consider having your groom, or your |
| man, or by escorting his mother to her seat. | | | | grandmother hand you the last flower.) Once at |
| Bridal party to follow as couples, with Bride | | | | the front, the maid of honor, who has brought a |
| entering last. | | | | ribbon just for the occasion, takes the Bride's |
| 4. Same as #3, except that groom is escorted | | | | flowers from her and ties them into a bouquet. |
| by both parents. | | | | 9. Forgo the processional altogether (it's |
| 5. After everyone else is down the aisle, Bride is | | | | nerve-wracking anyway!). Simply meet and mingle |
| escorted by her father or both parents. | | | | with your guests until the ceremony starts and |
| 6. After everyone else is down the aisle, Bride is | | | | then have your officiant gather everyone around. |
| escorted by her father (or other male escort). | | | | It's very informal and intimate. |
| Upon arriving at the front row, Bride's mother | | | | 10. Wow your guests at the start! Dance, skip, |
| joins Bride and her father, taking Bride's other | | | | ride your bikes, or roller blade in! |