How should I order my wedding party?

The usual order for a wedding party processional is to start with the ushers and grandparents, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen, followed by the best man and maid of honour, and finally the couple. The mother of the bride often walks just before the bride, and the groom may enter from the side or walk in with his parents. If you have flower girls or page boys, they usually walk just before the bride or after the bridesmaids.

For the recessional, the order is reversed: the couple leads, followed by the best man and maid of honour, then the bridesmaids and groomsmen, then the parents and grandparents. You can also mix it up to suit your relationships. For example, if you have a step-parent or a close friend acting as a witness, you might want them to walk with you or just before you. There is no legal rule, so you can decide what feels natural. Just make sure everyone knows the order and where to stand once they reach the front. A simple rehearsal or a written plan helps avoid confusion on the day.