How does the processional go?

So, it seems as if I am in every wedding I have attended, and I have no idea how the groomsmen enter the ceremony! The weddings I have attended, the groomsmen are already at the front of the aisle, then the bridesmaids enter, then the bride.



Do the groomsmen walk down the aisle before the bridal party? Our ceremony is (weather willing) going to be outside in a garden, so the guys will have to walk down the aisle to get to the front (I know at some churches they can "appear" from a side door)



I know the bridal party walks out in pairs, but do they have to enter in pairs?



Also, where do the ring bearer %26amp; flower girl go in the order? We are having them, but I can't for the life of me remember when they walk down the aisle!

How does the processional go?
In many instances, the groom and his attendants enter through a side door and are waiting at the alter for the bride and her attendants.

The flower girl %26amp; ring bearer preceed the bride down the aisle (but are after the bridal attendants).



I was a wedding last year where only the preacher was at the alter waiting. The groom was escorted by his parents, then came the bride's parents, then the paired attendants (groom's/bride's), then the ring bearer and flower girl, and then the bride. It was VERY different, but cool because it incorporated the entire family.
Reply:Really the order is up to you. I think it would be nice to have them walk in together. I would then have the ring bearer and flower girl walk in behind them, before you.



For our outdoor wedding, the procession was my husband's parents, followed by my mother escorted by my nephew (my father's deceased and he's her only grandchild), followed by my husband and me. It was wonderful to approach the minister together--after all, we believe we're in this together, so that's how we wanted to arrive at the "alter"/
Reply:The groom and groomsmen usually come in from the side prior to anyone else walking down the aisle. At my wedding (none of this was discussed with me before hand, so I don't know if it's the norm of not) but my inlaws walked down the aisle first. Anyone else have this? But anyway, actual wedding party goes ring bearer and flower girl, usually together. Then the Jr. Bridesmaids (if you have any), bridesmaids, and maid oh honor- all in single file. Last but not least the bride.
Reply:the groomsmen should be standing at the aisle before guests begin to enter. For an outdoor party have them walk up to the front while people are being seated, have them walk up the side and not down the aisle. I have seen it both ways with the ring bearer going first, the the flower girls, and vise versa. It depends on what you want. I know some people choose by the age, the youngest goes first
Reply:Really the processional can go anyway you want it to. I've seen it done a million different ways. The two most common ones are for the officiant, groom, and all of his attendants enter first, then the bridesmaids and MOH one by one, then the ring bearer and flower girl. Another way it's done, is for the officiant, groom, and best man to enter first, and then the bridesmaids and groomsmen enter as pairs, then the MOH, then the ring bearer and flower girl.



They don't have to enter in pairs if you don't want them to. Once again, it's whatever you want to do. Also, the ring bearer and flower girl go right before you (and after the other attendants like bridesmaids).