Planning the flow of your ceremony is one of the most meaningful parts of your wedding day, and having a clear line up ensures everything unfolds seamlessly.

Every family looks a little different, and every ceremony has its own traditions. While the outline that follows reflects a traditional structure, think of it simply as a starting point—we’ll tailor everything to what feels right for you.

As you read through this section, begin considering who you’d like included in your processional and recessional, and how you envision everyone entering and exiting.

When you're ready, click the link at the bottom of the page to complete your Ceremony Line Up Worksheet. You’ll be able to share names, family details, escorts, and any special notes. From there, we’ll build your custom Ceremony Line Up Diagram and refine the flow with you as we get closer to the wedding day.

CEREMONY LINE UP

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Guest Seating
Guests are seated by ushers as prelude music begins.

Processional (Entrance)
A traditional order often includes:
  1. Officiant, Groom, Best Man, Groomsmen (no music)
  2. Grandparents of the Groom (grandparents’ song)
  3. Grandparents of the Bride (grandparents’ song continued)
  4. Parents of the Groom (parents’ song)
  5. Mother of the Bride (parents’ song continued)
  6. Bridesmaids (bridal party song)
  7. Maid / Matron of Honor (bridal party song continued)
  8. Flower Girl & Ring Bearer (bridal party song continued)
  9. Bride & Escort (bride’s song)

There are also a few options for how the wedding party enters. Bridesmaids and groomsmen may walk in as couples, or each group may process in separately and then exit in pairs during the recessional. Either approach works beautifully—we’ll help you choose what feels most natural for your ceremony.

Music Note:
Your processional music can absolutely be simplified. Many couples choose to use one song for grandparents and parents, or even extend the prelude music rather than changing songs for each group. We’ll talk through what feels right for your ceremony flow and musical style.

Recessional (Exit)
After the ceremony, everyone exits in reverse order of honor:
  1. Bride & Groom (recessional song)
  2. Maid/Matron of Honor & Best Man
  3. Wedding Party (in pairs)
  4. Flower Girl & Ring Bearer (if standing)
  5. Parents (general postlude music)
  6. Grandparents
  7. Officiant
  8. Remaining Guests

These are simply guidelines—your ceremony can be as traditional or unique as you’d like.

TRADITIONAL CEREMONY OVERVIEW

frequently asked questions

Not at all. It’s common for grandparents (and sometimes even parents) to be seated before the processional begins. It’s 100% up to you and what feels best for your family.

01

DOES EVERYONE LISTED HAVE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESSIONAL?

This is quite common. Just list their name twice. During rehearsal, we’ll walk them through escorting and then returning to their position. For example, a groom may want to escort a grandmother and then take his place at the altar, or a groomsman may escort the Mother of the Groom and then circle back to his spot before processing with the other groomsmen.

03

What if one of our escorts needs to walk more than one person down the aisle?

We often recommend little ones walk down the aisle, share a quick hug or wave, and then go straight to sit with their family for the ceremony.

02

My flower girl/ring bearer is really young and won’t be able to stand with the wedding party. What should we do?

LET'S GET STARTED

Client Worksheet