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The Procession & Recession
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Photo by
The Henry Studio
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The bride and groom will each make
their way to the altar separately. This symbolizes the fact that
you are coming from different families and different backgrounds.
Holding hands, exchanging wedding rings and kissing represent the
merging of both your lives into one.
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In a traditional Christian procession, the father escorts the
bride as she makes her way down the aisle to her future husband.
In the traditional Jewish procession both parents escort the bride
and groom.
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Today the bride may choose a person
that she is closest to. For instance, she may choose her
stepfather if she feels closer to him than her biological father.
She may choose both her mother and father or even a favorite
uncle. Or perhaps she may walk down the aisle by herself. The
choice is totally up to the bride.
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The basic Christian procession will go
as follows:
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The officiant, groom and best man will wait
at the altar.
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The groomsmen will either walk in from the
side or will walk down the aisle accompanied by a bridesmaid.
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The bridesmaid who will stand farthest from
the bride at the altar will walk down the aisle first.
Followed by the other bridesmaids.
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The ring bearer and flower girl will walk
down the aisle next (usually they are seated with their
parents after they reach the altar).
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The maid of honor will then walk down the
aisle.
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Finally, the bride will make her grand
entrance and walk to the left of her escort as she makes her
way down the aisle.
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The basic Jewish procession will go as
follows:
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Cantor or Rabbi
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The groom's grandparents.
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The bride's grandparents.
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Groomsmen will walk down in pairs.
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The Best Man will follow.
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The groom will walk down the aisle with his
parents. His father will be on his left and his mother on his
right.
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The bridesmaids will follow. Starting with
the bridesmaid that will stand farthest from the bride.
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The maid of honor will follow.
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Next will be the ring bearer and flower girl
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Finally, the bride and her parents will
proceed down the aisle. Her father will be on her left and her
mother on her right.
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During the rehearsal your officiant
will help you organize the altar arrangement. Traditionally,
during a Christian ceremony the bride will stand on the left with
her back to the congregation. The groom will stand to her right.
During a Jewish ceremony the bride is on the right and the groom
is on the left.
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Traditionally, the attendants will
divide by the sexes. The bridesmaids will be on the bride's side
and the groomsmen will be on the groom's side. However, you can
have the attendants walk down the aisle in pairs and have one
couple pair to the right behind the groom and another couple pair
to the left behind the bride. Alternating until all attendants are
either behind the bride or groom. They will either line up
diagonally behind the bride and groom or create a semi-circle
around the bride and groom. During a Jewish ceremony, the
attendants will stand under the huppah with the bride and groom.
The honor attendants stand one diagonal step behind the bride and
groom followed by the other attendants behind them.
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During a traditional Christian
ceremony, the bride's father will escort her down the aisle and
will either leave her at the altar with the groom or will stand
between the couple until the officiant asks: "Who supports
this woman in marriage?" . Then he will give his blessing and
take a seat next to the bride's mother in the front pew. The
groom's parents will also sit in the front pew (usually on the
groom's side). However, you can choose to have the parents stand
with you at the altar. During a Jewish ceremony, the parents stand
under the huppah on either side of the rabbi.
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If you have children in your wedding,
they can be seated with their parents after reaching the altar.
However, if you feel that they are old enough to stand still, then
by all means, have them stand in the altar line-up.
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If you have a relative or friend who
will participate by doing a reading, seat them close enough to the
front. They will get up to do the reading and then will sit back
down in their seat. So be sure that they have easy access to the
front so they won't have to step on any toes as they proceed to
the altar.
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After the ceremony is over and you've
kissed and been announced husband and wife, it's time to go
celebrate. The recession goes as follows:
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The Christian recession:
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The bride and groom will walk down the aisle
first.
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Followed by the flower girl and ring bearer
(this is optional).
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Maid of honor and best man will follow next.
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Followed by the bridesmaids and the groomsmen
walking down in pairs.
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The
parents will then follow the wedding party.
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The Jewish recession:
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The bride and groom will walk down the aisle
first.
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Followed by the bride's parents
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The groom's parents will follow next.
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Followed by the flower girl and ring bearer
(this is optional)
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Maid of honor and best man will follow next.
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Followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
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Finally, the rabbi or cantor.
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