Walking Up and Down the Wedding Aisle: How To - Processionals and Recessionals

[@Haycadwallader]

That's so funny that you said that it's rare for bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk down the isle together. I'm from the Midwest and I've never seen it done another way, or it's very rare to NOT see that. It must be a regional thing!

[@src4409]

Yeah... I've even seen it in movies.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Hah! So funny! In California it is definitely rare for them to walk during the processional together. I would like it more as it makes the processional go faster lol.

[@mariaqumayo9442]

Yes....I think its a regional or cultural thing . I'm from South Africa and they ALWAYS come up together as pairs. 😅

[@rachelstrode652]

Definitely having my bridal party walking together in pairs. From Illinois haha

[@Haycadwallader]

@@rachelstrode652 I'm from Illinois too!

[@lisajohnson5719]

I love how you CLEARLY state the norm/traditon, and then encourage the couple to go a different route if they wish. ❤️

[@cavinelizabeth]

Always - I am a fan of breaking tradition when it doesn't suit you. Knowing the norm is helpful to establish the baseline and then you can tailor it to suit your preferences :)

[@domrules38790]

Hi there Cavin, Thanks for another super helpful video! I had my wedding last weekend and your videos really helped with our planning! Everyone was so happy & surprised with how organised we were with our photos (I made clear bags for the bride/groom items for detailed shots etc). We had an unplugged ceremony, and it worked so to just have the photographers taking the photos! :) Sending love from New Zealand, Dominique

[@cavinelizabeth]

Congratulations! I am so happy to hear everything went so smoothly! Can I share this comment on my Instagram? I am so flattered!

[@domrules38790]

@@cavinelizabeth Yes sure thing! :)

[@adamayman7245]

Thank you so much Cavin for walking down the aisle video I’m going to walk my daughter down the aisle in 2 weeks. I got less nervous when I saw this video.

[@cavinelizabeth]

Aw, I am so glad! Just remember to smile down the aisle - it makes the photos so much better :)

[@dorisrosa62]

I agree so much in not letting no one use a cellphone while the wedding party are walking down the aisle, I seen beautiful wedding photos where it shows ppl arms or on the way of what could of been a nice photo for the bride.

[@cavinelizabeth]

It takes away from the beauty of the moment down the aisle, I think. Makes it about their photo (people get excited about ensuring they get their photo, I get it), but they don't think about the bride or groom at the front of the aisle wanting to witness the walking of their loved ones without arms sticking out with phones and cameras.

[@lex.iii7]

so clear and helpful! thank you for the video!

[@cavinelizabeth]

You're so welcome!

[@Marie_Garwood]

Such a helpful video, Cavin!! And your photo suggestion of kissing at the end of the aisle is adorable. I’ve seen what you’ve suggested of groomsmen/bridesmaids doubling up when it’s an uneven number, and it looks fine in photos! The two weddings I’ve been a bridesmaid in both had an uneven number.

[@cavinelizabeth]

So glad you liked it!! There are so many possibilities for the aisle walks :)

[@ralphfrank1984]

Very nice. Thank you! 😊

[@cavinelizabeth]

Welcome 😊

[@brachet0750]

5:00 : Today i will be the one to walk down the aisle with my Mother (she is the bride). To your collection with this.

[@catherinewhitehead8839]

This video is so helpful! Not seen anything like this, and I didn't know who should go in what order. Appreciate your videos Cavin, they are so informative, and I really want a copy of your book, but having a 5 month old, I'd never get a chance to read it, and it's expensive to get to NZ. Also, can't agree with you more about unplugged wedding. So many beautiful pics ruined by phones, not to mention it's nice for guests to be FULLY PRESENT in the moment with the bride and groom. We are paying a lot for our photographer, and I would be so upset if my photos are ruined by someone not respecting our Catholic ceremony

[@cavinelizabeth]

So glad you loved the video Catherine! I do have e-reader versions of the book in case you are really eager for it. It's about a 2 hour read :) Thank you so much for your support and comments on my videos!

[@samhirsch09]

I'm doing a plugged in ceremony, I want as many pictures, videos etc captured as possible

[@zoerosenthal1922]

Hey Cavin, How many songs is the processional usually? I hear DJ's telling brides to pick two different songs (one for when everyone else goes up the aisle, and one for her) but I want only one song played for both the wedding party and me because there's a certain part of the song I want to enter at. Is a 4 minute long processional too long? I would time it out and tell everyone when to start walking, but if its too long I'm not sure what to do. I am dead set on the song. What are your thoughts?

[@cavinelizabeth]

You could start the song and have it play before people start walking though that is unusual and have the parents start it off, then groom (if there is a groom), then wedding party, then you. Maybe also ask the DJ if they can edit down the song a little? That might be the better solution.

[@ellietydbaby9120]

Its crazy I've just had this conversation with my fiance, i have only seen the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk together down the isle

[@cavinelizabeth]

That saves a lot of time :) I'd prefer it that way on the job lol.

[@anthonycourteaux8165]

Hear that

[@02291992mm]

Hi, love your videos. This is not related to the topic but you look like a Winona Ryder & Judy Greer combination! 💜

[@cavinelizabeth]

I've heard Winona Ryder before :)

[@IAmHaylesLawn]

Hi were trying to pick our ceremony music but how many songs do you need/how long does it take, does the groom, groomsmen, bridesmaid, flowergirl and bride all come down during the same song? Any advice will help please!

[@cavinelizabeth]

Depends how many people you have/how long your aisle and travel time from hideaway spot to front of aisle are - it's so helpful to have an experienced coordinator/planner for this, but at least have a rehearsal. I almost always see the bride walk down to a brand new song from what the wedding party walked down to. It's hard for me to give you an exact time. It really depends so much on your personalized details/location.

[@cda7889]

I had a non-traditional idea...my three siblings and I are very close and it would mean a lot to walk down the church aisle with them. It's not wide enough, but it is quite long so I was thinking to enter with sibling #1 (who would probably help adjust dress/veil before entering), exchange + walk with sibling #2, exchange + walk with sibling #3 (who then takes bouquet and helps fluff the dress). Is that football-passing-style idea just too out there?

[@cavinelizabeth]

That would be cute! You could have the 2/3rd sibling placed in the aisle side of the pews for a pass-off (the sibling walking you would swap places with the sibling standing in the pew). Once you're up at the front being passed to your spouse they could all walk up to the front pews (you just might not want them walking behind you blocking your beautiful dress from the photographer's photos)

[@cavinelizabeth]

Oh and if you do that, make sure to have a reserved card for them where they would be need to be standing in the pew!

[@cda7889]

Thank you so much for your reply!! I hadn't thought of how to handle where my siblings would go after the swap, Iove your idea of them sitting until the procession is over. Then they can settle in for the rest of the ceremony in their proper seats, brillant. One idea I have for a video short is how to walk in a long veil. This is something I don't think I'll really get to practice so any tips would be super appreciated. Haven't found any videos on this yet, maybe it's simple but at this point I feel like I won't know until the moment 😂 thank you again and cheers!

[@cavinelizabeth]

You could take it with you to the rehearsal and practice after your future spouse leaves so they don't see it! And make sure your hair stylist gives you a lot of teasing or a good bun to stick it into so it holds really well so if it drags along the pews, any friction doesn't make it slide out of your hair - texture sprays help a ton!!

[@cda7889]

@@cavinelizabeth wow, great tip! I will request the texture for sure!!

[@anthonycourteaux8165]

No cell phone

[@JenRO415]

Just want to thank you for being inclusive as most videos are not and just assume bride and groom.

[@cavinelizabeth]

:) I try! I'm sure some of my earlier videos from years ago are not as good but I definitely have made an effort in the last year or so at least!! It's important!

[@itsclarissa6033]

Is it normal to have the fear of falling as you walk down,? especially if you don’t wear on heels very often lol

[@cavinelizabeth]

Hah! Yes! If you’re walking down with someone (dad or other figure) just hold on tight and prep them to catch you if you stumble. That’ll help you. Also I’ve shot over 100 weddings and never have I even seen a stumble! You’ll do great!

[@itsclarissa6033]

@@cavinelizabeth thanks so much! That actually helped a lot. 😭We worry about things that are rarer than we would even think

[@anthonycourteaux8165]

That means walk down are up iles

[@ccruz979]

Have you ever seen the bride and groom walking down to the altar together in the beginning? We plan on doing that

[@cavinelizabeth]

at one of my own weddings? I don't think so, but I have seen photos of other people who did. I like the idea.

[@myrthe1203]

This title gave me Monty Python vibes!

[@cavinelizabeth]

lol how so?

[@myrthe1203]

@@cavinelizabeth Marching Up and Down the Square, from the Meaning of Life! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH2taXyCfqpqbpI

[@Kcorrr]

3-7-24 We must refraun ftom automatically placing a bride with the dad as the person to walk her. Lets not make assumptions or even suggestions to tell a bride, that her dad is "The Only One" to walk her down the aisle. And PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE stop saying the words, give her away.

[@trismix_]

@kaitrump