No Bridal Party- Ceremony Planning Help

I’ve actually attended several weddings with no wedding parties, and they have never been boring or “lame”. The couple usually has the officiant walk out first, then the groom, during one song. Then they have let that song finish playing before the bride walked out. Just waiting for the end of the song kind of built up that anticipation for the bride. Tbh, I feel like there’s more excitement to see the bride when there is no wedding party, versus a large one. When you are sitting there watching one person after another after another after another walk out, it gets kind of mundane and you stop caring about seeing the bride and just want the ceremony to start lol

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I REALLY appreciate this input. Thank you SO much, this makes me feel much better

Maybe both sets of parents can process before or after groom + officiant? After my in-laws, my dad escorted my mom down the aisle to the front row, then just made a loop around to the back of the church to meet me and walk me up the aisle.

People don’t mind short ceremonies. I am one of them.
We only had our Best Woman and Man walk before me and my Father. My Sister did a reading because I wanted to include her.
You could have someone do a reading to elongate the ceremony. Keep in mind that your guests will be in their seats and waiting prior to the official start of your ceremony so they may not see it as short as you think.

My ceremony will be similar without a wedding party. My FH really does not want to walk down the aisle because he doesn't like being the center of attention, he just wants to be standing at the alter. So our processional will be my mother-in-law escorted by my brother-in-law (my father-in-law passed away 2 years ago) followed by my mom escorted by my brother (who is also officiating) then my dad and I. We are planning 1 song for the moms/brothers and a separate song for dad and I. I hope the timing will work out similar to how Cece described.

We had a very small bridal party. Just two on each side. So it was our officiant that walked first, my husband next, and then his best man walked alone behind him followed by his one groomsman. Then my mom and stepdad walked down, his parents walked down and then my one bridesmaid walked alone and my dad walked my sister after who was my MOH (I walked alone). I too was worried about a short start but I think our entire ceremony was 20 minutes which was perfect. But since you don’t have a bridal party you could always see if his parents want to walk. Or your parents or just mom accompanied by another family member if your dad is walking you down. My husband did this for his aunt at both his cousins weddings. He wasn’t in either wedding party but he accompanied her down the aisle. You could also ask grandparents if they’d like to walk

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Did you have separate songs for each or did you shorten the songs down?

Follow up question.. For all of you who didn't have a bridal party- what did you do in the morning as you got ready? Who was in the room? What were the "getting ready" photos like?

I don't think guests care about "buildup", just seeing the happy couple. Another poster brought up others' anxiety. This may be a factor as well and you should ask any others, the officiant, your partner, (and yourself) how they feel about walking down. You can do anything you like which includes only you and your FS walking down the aisle together towards your officiant already standing there. You can play your first song while everyone sits, and the second song (in part) just for you.

For my wedding, only my MOH walked out [pause] then me with both my parents. We all walked to my song of choice. His parents were shy and preferred to already be seated. The priest, my partner, and his BM were already at the top. I got ready with family who wanted hair and makeup done. As it was not formal, they then left to get their families ready (same hotel). Usually photographers capture only the end of getting ready, so it will be all about you-- shots of you getting makeup done, bridal portraits, you with anyone you care to have with you, your invites, your attire on a hanger. Photographers have also seen a variety of weddings, so they can adapt to capture the day and not pressure you for staged pics.

Same here! We are having no wedding party and our wedding will be about 15 mins long. To me there is no reason to make it “full” because long drawn out ceremonies are boring.


We want ours to be quick, simple, and meaningful. Then we are going to grub!!

View Quoted Comment My makeup artist, photographer, and step mom will be in the room with me

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Are you skipping getting ready photos then?

View Quoted Comment The photographer is going to come when I still have my bridal robe on and I’m almost done getting ready. I only need a few getting ready pics. I want pics of my dress hanging up and of cute things like my shoes and our rings

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I was thinking of doing something similiar, thanks for your input

View Quoted Comment You’re welcome! Enjoy your special day!! 💕

I totally agree with Cece. The wedding is about you both and by the time you finish with the officiant readings your vows and any other ritual you might want to add it will be cutting close to 30 min. I wish I can do my ceremony like yours. Less expense too! It's gonna be great! Trust the process

View Quoted Comment I had two songs! The one everyone else walked to and then the one I walked to. I would’ve loved to hear more of my song but it would’ve bored everyone lol

Hi! I didn’t have a bridal party. I had officiant walk in, fiancé, then y he grandparents walk in, then grooms parents, then my mom. This was all one song. Then the song switched for my processing in with my dad.


Even tho we had no bridal party, our ceremony was still about 25 minutes long.
I’m not sure if you have parents participating but having them walk in later could be a nice way to honor them
Ps. In the morning I got ready by myself becuse I’m an Introvert and needed time to myself. If I had friends with me I would probably have gotten a headache and then had it the rest of the day. I asked my mom to come at a certain time so she could help me button my dress and be in “getting ready photos” with the photographer. (Photographer was with fiancé and his parents while I was actually getting ready, fyi)
Do whatever makes you happy! There’s no rules good luck!

I think while there may be some challenges to planning a wedding ceremony without a bridal party, such as less support during the planning process, many couples have found it to be a beautiful and intimate way to celebrate their love and commitment to each other.

My fiance and I aren't planning on having a wedding party. I was thinking of instead of the processional of the bridal party of doing something with the parents. Like the officiant goes first. Then my fiance and his dad. Then our moms together. Then my dad and I. Or something like that. It stretches out the time a little bit, while also including all of our parents.