A traditional church wedding ceremony follows this order of events in the lead up to the ceremony, during the wedding service, and after the ceremony when the participants process out of the church.
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
