Wedding Processional Recessional Guidelines - ANGELA HEIL MINISTRIES INC NY & LI REG,.ORDAINED blog at BridesClub.com

Wedding Processional Recessional Guidelines

The Wedding Ceremony Processional Guidelines
By Rev. Angela S. Heil, DD

1. General Tips:
A. Low Volume Music can be playing during the seating process.
Appointing a member of the bridal party to take charge of starting the music and keeping the volume low will be less stressful for you.
B. The Bride & Grooms appointed friends, relatives or venue hired Ushers should greet each guest as they arrive, and should escort them to their seats by offering females their right arm, the male guests follow behind them.
C. Ushers should fill the front seats first with guests to prevent a look of large empty sections on your photos. Ushers being mindful to leave a few seats open upfront, on both sides, for the wedding party and family.
D. Many couple’s offer their guests a program of the ceremony. Other couples recommended this vendor for affordable programs:
[www.personaltouchweddinginvitations.com]
E. For a traditional Catholic Wedding, the bride’s guests sit on the Left -[Bride stands to the left of Groom]. A Jewish Wedding, the bride’s guests sit on the Right -[Bride stands to the right of Groom].
F. Non-Denominational weddings allow for general seating.
G. Both the Father of the Bride and Stepfather can simultaneously walk her down the aisle. However, Bride chooses who will give her away.

2.The Ceremony Begins:
Prelude Wedding Music: Canon in “D”
Or couple’s choice of processional light music now plays.

A. The Basic Traditional Processional Order:

1.The first to enter and walk down the aisle:**
The Groom
2.The Best Man
He Holds the wedding rings.
3.Followed by all the Groomsmen.

They stand up front facing towards the seated guests.
2.The Usher leads the Grandmother[s] of the Bride to her seat.
3.The Usher leads the Grandmother[s] of the Groom to her seat.
4.The Usher leads the Groom’s mother to her seat.
5.The Usher leads the Bride’s mother to her seat.
6.The Bridesmaids walk down the aisle five steps behind each other and stand next to the Groom’s men.
7.The Maid of honor walks down the aisle.
8.The Ring Bearer [or Aka: ring dude] walks down the aisle.*

[Please note:*Do not tie rings to the pillow or dog collar because they might not come off easily when nervous. Instead, place a faux set on the pillow for same effect and allow the best man to hold the real ones in their boxes.]

**British Weddings the Bride goes down the aisle first followed by her bridal party.

9.The Flower Girl follows behind Ring Bearer, tossing flower pedals.[Optional]

B. Alternate Processional Order:

Groom waits at the front facing guest’s while-
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen walk as couples five steps apart from the couple in front.
Best Man and Maid [Matron] of Honor walk together.
Ring Bearer [Ring Dude] and Flower Girl walk side by side.

Then Wedding March Music or Couples selection-Begins:

10.The Father of the Bride escorts her down the aisle.

3. The Marriage Vows and Solemnizing Process
Note: All may be adjusted to your special needs.

A. The Maid of Honor holds Brides Flowers and helps father lift up her veil from her face.
B. Father gives away Bride,[or the Escort of her choosing] helps lift up her veil, gives her a kiss, Groom than shakes the fathers hand and escorts the Bride to Altar. Father or escort returns to his seat next to his partner.
C. Officiant’s Greeting and Introduction of the Couple starts the ceremony.
D. Hired Singer leads Songs [optional], Officiant leads attendees in Prayer, Reading by family or friends and/or Sermon and your vows are then stated.
E. The Ring Ceremony and blessing may involve the attendees.
F. Next All Other Traditional Wedding Customs and Cultural Elements: passing of coins to each other, Unity candle lighting, knot tying, rose ceremony, sharing of wine and bread, etc..
G. Officiant’s Pronouncement of Marriage.
H. The Final Presentation of the Newlywed Couple - with or without - the Butterfly or Dove Release. Please make sure you keep the weather or time of day in mind to insure their safety and survival - in order for them to make a home or nest. Please ask your vendor for details!
I. Optional Benediction: Last Prayer/blessing.

4.The Recessional

A. Soft Music Playing [ for example: The Wedding March] as the Bride and Groom turn towards the guests, walking down the aisle, to exit together arm in arm.
B. Flower Girl and Ring Bearer follow five steps behind them and exit.
C. Maid of Honor and Best Man follow five steps behind them and exit.
D. Bridesmaids and Groomsmen do the same as above.
E. Next Mother and Father of the Bride.
F. Then Mother and Father of the Groom.
G. Followed by the Grandparents.

5. Eco Friendly Exit Tradition

Many guest choose to throw rice at the newlyweds as they exit the church or venue. Birds will eat it and when the rice swells up in the bird’s belly it could harm them. Perhaps you’ll consider an eco-friendly alternative mix of bird’s seed, [some couples have their names and wedding date placed on the seed packets: www.tenderseedcompany.com] or bubbles, butterflies or dove release, and flower petals or your ideas to be substituted for the handful of rice your guest’s may throw towards you- as you exit the building or ceremony venue.

Please tell your friends, and family about my services. I’m also available for baby blessings and vow-renewals! Thank you for choosing ASH Ministries, Inc.
God Bless You Both As You Begin this Special Journey!

Rev. Dr. Angela Heil, RMP
631-736-1371 Fax 631-736-9350

Email: revangela@angelaheilministries.com
revangela@optonline.net
www.angelaheilministries.com
www.holisticproducts.org

[No part of this blog can be copied without full credit to its author- Rev. Dr. Angela Heil!]