When you’re planning your ceremony procession, you may have a few questions that come to mind. Who escorts who down the aisle, and why? One question that is on many peoples’ minds is from bride-to-be, Shelley, who wants to know who walks the mother of the groom down the aisle.
She writes, “Hi Emmaline, I’m getting married in a few months and I’m wondering who walks my fiancé’s mom down the aisle. I know the groom will be standing, does she walk down with anyone? Also, who walks down the aisle first, the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom?”
Great question! The mother of the groom plays an important role in the wedding as, of course, she is the groom’s mom.
The Mother of the Groom will walk in the procession and is usually first, escorted by her husband. If you have grandparents in the procession, they will go in front of the mother of the groom.
If the Groom’s mother wishes to be escorted by someone else, it can be another son or close family member; otherwise, it is nice to have an usher walk the mother of the groom down the aisle so she doesn’t need to walk alone (unless she wants to — and that is up to her).
Mother of the Groom with the Father of the Groom
Traditionally speaking, the mother of the groom will walk down the aisle with the father of the groom. They will take their seats on the right-hand side in the front-row.
Who walks down the aisle first: the mother of the bride or the mother of the groom?
The groom’s parents walk down the aisle together in the procession, followed by the mother of the bride (often escorted by her son(s) or ushers).
In the line of procession, the only people who would walk ahead of the groom’s parents are grandparents, if they will be a part of it.
Do ushers escort the mothers down the aisle?
They can, but it is preferred to have a close family member walk them down the aisle instead.
Order of Procession for Wedding Ceremony
Here is a complete order of procession for the wedding ceremony. Before we begin, please note: the groom typically takes his spot at the altar from the side of the ceremony area with his Best Man at his left-hand side.
Note: You can make changes to this if you wish! However, this is the most traditional order to process as soon as ushers have seated the guests.
1. Grandparents
Grandparents are escorted to their seats first by ushers.
2. Parents of the Groom
(Alternate: Mother of the Groom with an Escort OR solo)
The Father of the Groom can walk behind her, taking a seat on the right-hand side.
3. Mother of the Bride
The mother of the bride walks down the aisle escorted by her son(s), a close family member, an usher, or solo.
4. The Wedding Party
Bridesmaids and groomsmen walk down the aisle.
5. The Maid of Honor
The maid of honor walks by herself down the aisle.
6. The Ring Bearer
If you have a ring bearer, now is his chance to shine!
7. Flower Girl(s)
If you have flower girls in the procession, now is when they would walk down the aisle and sprinkle petals ahead of the bride’s arrival.
8. The Bride and The Father of the Bride
Everyone rises: now is the big moment!
I hope this helps as you plan out your ceremony procession. And remember, if you have questions about how someone in your family will walk down the aisle and whom they should be escorted by, just ask them what they prefer. It is OK to make changes how you see fit and in a way that works best with your family.
I know you only asked who walks the Mother of the Groom down the aisle, and that is only one part of the picture; I feel like once you put it all together and plan out the entire order of procession, it makes it so much easier, hence the long-winded reply. :)
Thanks for writing!
xo
Emma
