Ceremony, vows & readings: Order of the ceremony

Prelude, processional, welcome, readings, vows, rings, pronouncement and recessional — 20–30 minutes for many ceremonies.

The key points

Prelude as guests arrive
Processional order
Readings and vows
Recessional

Processional order

Grandparents and parents seated, wedding party, honor attendants, children, then the final entrance.

Recessional

The couple first, then attendants in pairs, then family.

Quick answers

Who walks down the aisle first?

In many Western ceremonies: officiant and groom take their places, then grandparents and parents are seated, then attendants, the maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl, and finally the bride. See the ceremony order guide.

The wedding partyAll questions

Who walks down the aisle first at a wedding?

Usually grandparents and parents are seated, then the wedding party walks, the maid of honor, ring bearer and flower girl, and finally the bride.

Ceremony & traditionsAll questions

What is the order of a wedding ceremony?

Processional, welcome, readings, vows, ring exchange, optional unity ritual, declaration and kiss, recessional.

Ceremony & traditionsAll questions

How many songs do you need for a wedding ceremony?

Usually 20–30 minutes of prelude, plus one song each for the processional, the entrance and the recessional.

Reception, food & musicAll questions