Who is going first down the aisle?

This is a big debate in our house too. Mum says I go down first and its only American weddings that have the bridesmaids go down first. My dress has a fairly long train though and I'm worried about them all walking over it to get past us. To me its logical to have the bridesmaids go down first as thats the order you stand in, as in they'll walk down and step to the side leaving space for you to walk down to the centre

I'm also thinking logistically - BMs first.

Ideally this;

Flower Girl & Page Boy

4 BMS

Me & Dad

Then MOH behind.

I feel a bit bad about having my MOH behind though but my train is quite long so I'm thinking it might need some assistance when I get to the aisle!

Also originally I thought it would be nice (MOH is sister) to walk behind me and Dad but now I'm thinking maybe its not as nice as I first thought.

Everyone else will of had some attention on them when if she is behind me, she won't get as much as everyone will be looking at me (meant in the least big head way possible!)

We're having our bridesmaids walk in first and, only when both are in and at the top, then I will walk in with my brother (he is giving me away). I've been to lots of weddings and it's always that way - all these weddings are Irish ones by the way!

Most of the time if it is a Church then You go first

Most of the time if it is a civil then your Bridesmaids go 1st

I think we are doing it thus: firstly my eldest daughter (CBM) with my 4yo, (FG). Then my sister and stepdaughter, then me and dad. Either that or the Bms first then CBM and FG. But defo me and dad last... I think it's nice to have the build up to the brides arrival and let the attendants have their moment to shine too xx

1. My BMs went first, 2 by 2. I never considered the alternative. They had reached the top of the aisle before I began. It's been a while since I saw anything different (if ever).

2. American tradition =/= bad. And "tradition" makes me laugh. People cherry pick which traditions they want to observe and which they wish to discard.

3. My Dad rearranged my train at the top of the aisle. During the ceremony, my mother couldn't keep her hands off (OK, bit of an exaggeration).

I didn't bother with any bridesmaids. It was all about ME! ?

My mum said she thought it was an american thing too LOL! I totally agree with bridesmaids getting to the front and then the moment being all about me and my dad so I think I'll stick with that idea. Although I hadn't thought about someone sorting out my dress... I'm sure my dad can take care of that :-)

Your day, your way!

We had decided that I'd go first and my one BM would be behind me...my OH said he'd rather see me straight away if he turned round, although he said he would try not to!

This thread has made me think about logistics now though...

"he said he would try not to!"

NO he must turn and look at you as you walk down --he will never forget that view

Mrs P I think general consensus is if BMs go first they should be at the top of the alter (and seated) before you come down the aisle (so he would still just see you).

I'm only having my sister (MOH) and she will go first followed by me and my Dad when she gets to the top of the aisle.

My thinking seems to be the opposite to everyone else, in that people will be watching my sister and not be solely focused on me!! I am SO dreading the ceremony (not in the 'getting married' sense), I just hate being the centre of attention and hate public speaking. Why am I doing this again???????? ?

Got you...hmmm, this has definintely opened a can of worms in my head!

What!? I thought the groom shouldn't turn and look at you coming down the aisle because it's meant to be bad luck?

Never heard of that one.

If he dosent turn around then the first look at you is up close and he wont get the full length effect

I'm having my MOH and my 2 flower girls walking in first then me and my Dad once they are at the top, although I'm not quite sure yet if my 2 flowergirlswill walk down together,my daughter will be 3 1/2 and my niece will be 2 1/2 or whether my daughter might walk down by herself and my niece hold my MOH's hand walking down the aisle...so we'll just see closer to the time as neither of them might want to walk down by themselves xxx

Exactly that hun xxxxx

I sent the BM's down first, my dress diddnt have a train, obvs but the events manager ruffled up my dress for me and made sure I looked hot.

BMs first - it is more the US way.

I had BMs first to build up my entrance. I also figured nobody would really take them in (dresses, hair and make-up) if I was also in view, in my amazing dress and hours and hours in hair (and make-up). I kind of wanted them to have their moment, and then for me to have mine (the main thing ;o))

Bridesmaids and ring bearer are going first. Its only a short aisle, and I fell in love with a rather long dress ? Before I mentioned my dress, the lady at our venue did say usually BM's go first then I would once theyre down the end.

When people say its American, I think it could possibly be because its only been in recent years (mid to late 90's - so after many of our parents married) that civil ceremonies got more popular, as before hand you used to have to get married in a registry office - and from those in my family I know of and saw (well in photos) that had a registry office wedding pre-change in law, they didnt have bridesmaids. It was only church weddings that did. Thats just my take on it - not too sure how acurate that is to why people think its American, but I know churches are more likely to have bride first and a lot of our parents I presume got married in churches...

I had a civil wedding and went down the aisle first.

I would say of the weddings I've been to, it's been about a 50/50 split with which order it's done.

Going to save the best till last... Me lol x

I want to have my bridesmaids first, but like you my mum is quite tradditional and thinks i should go first.

At the end of the day..its your big day so you should choose ;-) go last x

Mine is starting kinda of different to the “norm”. Before the bridal party entrance I am getting the best man to come and walk my mum down – otherwise she would be sitting on her own and I want her to really feel part of the occasion as my dad, sisters and nieces will be with me ... the music will start then it will go;

3 flower girls

1 bridesmaid – my best friend

2 bridesmaids together – my sisters

Me and my dad

I think your start is fairly normal. My brother walked my Mum in after everyone else was seated.

Same here.

Was the Mother being walked in by someone done discreetly? Did they walk arm in arm etc or just generally walked down the aisle together talking?

I've never noticed this happen before so I'm intrigued!

I like the idea of our best man meeting my Mum outside as like you say, otherwise she is flying down that aisle on her own!

I've seen weddings of both, I've been a first bridesmaid and a last. we ate having a church and I'm going in first. I love my girls and they will look beautiful but they had their entrances when they got married its my turn.lol. I would like them to sort my train. And logistics don't make a difference I won't be in the way of where they need to go to sit.

Not really. The MC/manager man announced to the guests that we were ready to begin (more formally than that though!). My brother and Mum, who were outside with me and the BMs then walked through to their seats. No music and they walked at normal pace, with my mother's arm in my brother's.