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The Wedding Ceremony
A rehearsal for the wedding ensures smoothness
and grace. Schedule the rehearsal at the actual scene, preferably the day
before the wedding and all participants should attend. If you decide to have a
rehearsal party, hold the party after the rehearsal. Here's a breakdown of a traditional wedding ceremony: Thirty Minutes Before § Prelude music begins; ushers escort guests to their seats Guidelines for Ushers § Left side of the church is reserved for friends and family of the bride § Right side of the church is reserved for friends and family of the groom § The ushers stand at inner doorways and ask guests if they are "Friends of the bride or groom?'- and then offers female guests his right arm and escorts her to the appropriate side § The ushers also unroll the white aisle runner if one is being used Twenty Minutes Before § The groom and best man meet the officiant, who checks the marriage license and is given the fee Ten Minutes Before § The attendants, bride's mother, groom's parents and other immediate family members arrive § Relatives, except for the parents of the bride and groom are now seated § Grandparents are escorted in
Five Minutes Before § Groom's parents are seated § Bride's mother is seated-the solo begins § Two ushers unroll the white floor cover § The clergy, groom and best man take their place § Processional music begins § The wedding party enters § The groomsmen enter first, followed by the bridesmaids § The flower girl and/or ringbearer come in just before the bride and her father § The bride and groom then join the officiant(s) for the ceremony § The best man stands to the groom's right holding the brides ring § The other attendants and groomsmen may be seated in the front row of the church or synagogue The Recessional § When the marriage ceremony is completed, the bride turns first to her honour attendant for her bouquet § The bride then takes the groom's right arm and together they lead the recessional down the aisle with the attendants § The attendants may double up or walk single file, depending on which looks best
The Receiving Line
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