Who Walks the Mother of the Bride?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing who should walk the mother of the bride down the aisle, as this decision must be made individually by each couple based on family dynamics and traditions.

Parents or someone special to the couple escorting their daughter down the aisle is important – however it doesn’t have to be just parents themselves; siblings, uncles, cousins or close friends could also serve. It is crucial that someone special accompany her down.

Father of the Groom

Fathers of the groom bear great responsibility both before and during a wedding day. In addition to financially supporting their couples and hosting engagement parties or pre-wedding events, fathers often give speeches during receptions about their relationship with their son as well as offer any wisdom or advice that might help.

While traditionally, the father of the bride walks his daughter down the aisle, they can opt to substitute someone special to them such as their brother, close friend or groomsmen for this function if desired. This can make the day extra-special without depriving their mother from walking down her own aisle.

Bride’s mothers are usually seated by an usher at the front row of a church before her daughter enters into her ceremony. She can choose whether or not to be escorted by their son, husband, children and step-children or another family member (this includes step-children). Or she may walk down the aisle alongside their daughter.

Mother of the bride ceremonies often include giving away both daughters at once. This practice can especially benefit divorced parents looking to honor both of their daughters on their special day.

At Jewish ceremonies, a bride’s stepmother may accompany her husband during the processional in order to assist in getting her seat ready. This tradition has since been adopted by those outside the faith as well.

Once seated, her father and the groom can begin their walk down the aisle together – an elegant tradition which can be customized to any couple’s taste. It allows the father of the bride time to spend with his daughter prior to having to give away his bride-to-be; and prevents awkward moments during giving away time. While this option works well for some families, it shouldn’t necessarily be applied universally and should be discussed thoroughly with both of your families involved.

Brother of the Groom

As the brother of the groom, you can play an integral part in his ceremony by walking his sister down the aisle or leading her to her seat, giving him a meaningful role that shows your support as his sister becomes his wife. Additionally, this provides a great opportunity to add some humor into your speech; perhaps include some shared jokes between siblings or mention his quirks so as to make your toast truly unforgettable!

Traditionally, the father of the bride walks her down the aisle. However, more recently it has become common for groom’s mother or another close family member to escort her down instead – it can be tailored specifically to your family dynamics and what feels most natural to you.

Other than her mother of the bride, other people that can accompany the bride down the aisle include her son(s), grandson(s), brother, best man or trusted usher. What matters is that she feels supported and cared for during such an emotional time.

The bride’s father usually follows behind, walking her to her seat after her mother has given them away to the groom and giving their blessing with an upturned veil and kiss to signify this momentous occasion. Grandparents may then follow down the aisle as long as it can be safely achieved.

Once seated in front of the officiant, bride’s parents are joined by mother of the groom and his/her siblings; then the best man enters either from outside or walking down the aisle; finally the groom takes his place at the head of the aisle (either walking alone or being escorted down by parents); his best man will then join him, holding bride’s ring while the rest of wedding party join them afterwards.

Groomsman

Tradition dictates that the mother of the groom should be led down the aisle prior to the arrival of the officiant and wedding party at their ceremony. She may walk alone or be joined by her son or daughter-in-law as well as another family member or usher; her arrival signaling that it is now time for guests to take their seats for this landmark event.

Finding an escort for the mother of the bride can be challenging for same-sex couples. To ensure a successful experience and ensure they will keep pace with her down the aisle, he or she must feel at ease in his or her role as an escort.

When necessary, the best man may serve double duty by also accompanying the mother of the bride down the aisle. He will first perform his main walk with bride before switching gears to take on this role for mother. Or alternatively he may ask another groomsman or family member to perform this duty for him.

While it might seem strange, having a male accompany the mother of the bride down the aisle may actually be beneficial in several ways. First of all, it gives someone who wouldn’t normally participate in wedding processional an important role and provides comfort during her big day – whether that means her son-in-law, sister of mother of bride or even just well-behaved teenager escorting.

Groomsmen play an invaluable role in any wedding ceremony and reception by helping escort their mother down the aisle, standing alongside their best man during the ceremony, offering support as needed and helping plan pre-wedding events such as bachelor parties or rehearsal dinners, renting or purchasing their attire, paying rental costs for ushers who require it, greeting guests at the venue early and showing them where their seats are; in addition to supporting any tasks required during wedding day itself.

Groom’s Mother

At a wedding ceremony, the groom’s mother can either be escorted down the aisle by one or more family members or decide to walk alone. Sometimes his sister or matron of honor will accompany his mother down the aisle; if there are children involved in this procession they may also join her. Traditionally speaking, her place should be on the left side of the first row in the procesional.

As part of her duties, the mother of the groom can assist in creating and collecting mailing addresses for save-the-dates and wedding invitations, collecting guest lists for guest lists from her side, making rehearsal dinner arrangements and making sure guests from both sides arrive on time to events such as rehearsal dinners. She can also ensure guests from her side make it on time; and be invaluable when planning destination weddings where transportation needs to be coordinated between venues and hotels.

Mother of the Groom: Lighting Family CandlesDuring ceremonies, typically mother of the groom lights family candles placed on an altar as part of tradition and to bring together couples at this important point in their ceremony. Later at receptions she may help organize family photos with both sides of family as well as making sure that groom’s parents join her daughter and her new husband for their traditional parent dance at receptions.

Dependent upon their relationship with the bride, mothers of grooms may also be asked to deliver a toast at weddings. This provides an incredible opportunity for her to express how much she cares for both their son or daughter-in-law as well as why she thinks they make such a great match – perhaps including anecdotes about when they met and why they knew they’d make an ideal family unit.