Before the wedding ceremony

40 Minutes Before
Ushers arrive to direct guests to their seats and give out order of service sheets.

30 Minutes Before
Church bells ring.

20 Minutes Before
Bridegroom and best man arrive. Photographs are taken and then they take their seats in the front right-hand pew.

15 Minutes Before
Guests take their seats, bride’s family to the left-hand side of the church and the bridegroom’s to the right. The bride and bridegroom’s closest family at the front.

10 Minutes Before
Bridesmaids and bride’s mother arrive. Bridesmaids wait at the door.

5 Minutes Before
Bride’s mother is escorted to her seat by an usher or a male member of the family. Traditionally she is the last to be seated and it is a signal that the ceremony is due to start. The bride and her father are last to arrive (allow time for photographs). Just inside the church, the chief bridesmaid arranges the bride’s veil; bride makes sure her engagement ring is on her right hand. Attendants take up their positions. The bridegroom and best man to Chancel steps (best man on the bridegroom’s right). The bridegroom turns to greet the bride.

The Ceremony Begins

During the Wedding Ceremony

This diagram shows the positions taken up in church. (Make sure there is enough space in the pew for the bride’s father
after he has given the bride away. Display a list of names on the entrance to the first three rows)
MINISTER
              BRIDE                                BRIDEGROOM
BRIDES FATHER                                BEST MAN
CHIEF BRIDESMAID
BRIDESMAIDS
BRIDE’S SIDE                                                BRIDE GROOM’S SIDE
    Grandparents, Mother,                                 Best Man, Mother, Father
             Father                                 Grandparents
Close Relatives                                 Close Relatives
Distant Relatives                                  Distant Relatives
Friends                                 Friends

After the Ceremony

This is the correct grouping for the bridal party leaving the church after the ceremony.

ALTAR
              Bride’s Father                                Bridegroom’s Mother
Bridegroom’s Father                           Bride’s Mother
Ushers                                               Bridesmaids
Best Man                                            Chief Bridesmaid