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Just Said Yes May 2017

Nontraditional Processional Ideas

Chloe, on April 14, 2017 at 10:11 AM Posted in Planning 0 14

My fiancé and I are quite non-traditional, and everything about our wedding embraces that - right down to the wedding party. We have 12 members of the wedding party (6 on each side), 10 of which are women (the best man and one groomsman are the only men standing with us). On top of that, the best man is also our officiant. We just can't seem to find many (or really any) ideas for our processional that seem to fit well with our party setup. Has anyone else had experience with processionals that don't fit into the traditional bridesmaid/groomsmen setup, or just have any ideas for us? (Note - if it helps, we're not getting married in a church, and we're creating our own ceremony script, so really anything goes!)

14 Comments

Latest activity by Liz, on March 15, 2021 at 2:30 PM
  • A. L.
    Master July 2017
    A. L. ·
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    Is your best man a professional officiant, for a living?

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    I got nothing. If you had a real officiant, they could work this out with you. As well as writing a logical inspiring script

    Anything, truly, will go.

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  • Kristin
    Super August 2017
    Kristin ·
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    Hmmm, are you just asking what order the people should come down the isle? I love it when two girls come down together in flowing dresses. It seems so fairy tail like. But I am a Big Vanderpump Rules fan too. And they had Ariana come down in a tux and she look awesome in a tux as a grooms man too. Its just your choice.

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  • Steph
    Super June 2018
    Steph ·
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    You could really do anything you'd like. If you like the idea of pairs walking down the aisle, you could have two girls walk together, or you could always have them walk individually. Whatever feels right will work!

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    Hi Chloe! I think you can really do whatever you want:

    - Have everyone enter single file from the side (not process down the aisle)

    - Have everyone process down the aisle individually

    - Have the officiant and groomsman enter from the side and stand up front while all the women process down the aisle and go stand on their respective sides

    - Have everyone walk down the aisle in pairs, the girls don't have to loop arms Smiley smile

    It's really whatever you want. Try not thinking about "bridesmaid" and "groomsman" orders, but just "how do I want everyone to get up front" Smiley smile

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  • Samtoine2017
    VIP May 2017
    Samtoine2017 ·
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    I also have a wedding party of 12, only 4 guys, not getting married in a church and not doing an aisle.

    We're entering from side doors of the venue, and everyone is technically walking in alone, but two at a time will get to their places. It'll only be a 20-30ft walk. Our officiant will already be up front.

    The women on FH's side will be standing on his side.

    It's okay to have two women walk in arm in arm if you're having the traditional aisle.

    Good luck. It's really whatever you want to do.

    Your officiant should also be able to help you with this.

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  • Nancy Taussig
    Nancy Taussig ·
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    In England, the BMs follow behind the bride instead of in front of her -- if you want something different.

    With that large of a wedding party, have a rehearsal. Hopefully, your officiant is experienced in wrangling a crowd. Or have an experienced planner/coordinator get everyone down the aisle.

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  • StPaulGal
    Master July 2017
    StPaulGal ·
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    We have slightly complicated uneven sides, too. FH has four groomsmen, and I have one man of honor plus two bridesmaids. I think we are going to have the officiant go down the aisle first, followed by the groomsmen in single file, then FH escorted by his parents, then my side of the wedding party single fine, then me with my parents.

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  • caitlin
    Super May 2017
    caitlin ·
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    We've got a non-traditional mix too, and my 2 brothers who are standing on my side are also playing/singing our processional song. as of now, the plan is to have them walk in first after our officiant, start playing, and the rest of the WP come in 2 by 2 (we're not really worrying about gender balance in the pairs), then FH, then me and my parents.

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  • Ashley
    Devoted August 2017
    Ashley ·
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    Mine is also fairly nontraditional. I have just looked online (google, Pinterest, other social media) for nontraditional ideas. From that, I take portions I like and I'm creating my own vision. Hope this helps!

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  • A
    Just Said Yes October 2017
    Amanda ·
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    Have your FH and the best man/officiant enter, then have the single groomsman walk down the aisle, kinda like an introduction to the procession, followed by pairs of each of the ladies.

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  • V
    Savvy May 2017
    Violet ·
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    We're also doing a mix of people in our wedding party and for a variety of reasons (uneven girl:guy ratio, we're not calling anybody bridesmaids or groomsmen, people wearing different outfits that they choose - some girls in dresses, some in suits, etc.) so here's how ours is working:

    -officiant processes and stands at front

    -groom and groom's parents process and stand at front side

    -wedding party processes single file and takes their seats in the first two pews with their spouses/partners who are already seated there (the wedding party is only standing for part of the service at a later time for us)

    -bride and bride's parents process and stand at front other side

    -bride's parents and groom's parents do a blessing of the marriage and then sit

    Would love to know what you decide on. Smiley smile

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  • Madi
    Beginner September 2021
    Madi ·
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    I am not sure if this was your intention but this comment comes off judgmental. Their officiant is a "real officiant". Whether you look at it spiritually, or by state law, just about any officiant is a real officiant.

    Officiants who have officiated weddings previously may have ideas on processions but they are not wedding planners and most importantly, not the couple.

    I am also looking for an answer to OP's question as we are in a similar boat! I think I will try asking close friends and family who are familiar with my planning thus far to share what they have already envisioned for the processional to see if anything strikes our fancy.

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  • Liz
    Devoted August 2021
    Liz ·
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    We're having our non traditional wedding party escort important family members down the aisle. I.e. our parents, our adult siblings etc. All your first/second row people. Groom is also escorting officiant down the aisle (his sister).
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