How to Order Wedding Processionals for Nontraditional Families

Now even amongst brides and grooms that consider themselves traditional with nuclear families, there are subtle variations. For example, the groomsmen may escort the bridesmaids, or the groom may walk in with his parents, as is the case in the Jewish faith. However, for blended families with different parenting situations, or for same-sex couples, trying to make your processional traditional ends up feeling incredibly complicated because it is not a one-size-fits-all situation. To help you put together alternative options, see some ideas below: 

If one or both of you are children (or grandchildren!) of divorce, there may be stepparents you feel the need to honor. You are more likely to want to include stepparents if you grew up with them in your life, rather than if one of your parents remarried when you were an adolescent or an adult; however, you should make a point not to exclude anyone in either case. If you are close with both your biological father and your stepfather, it can be a lovely gesture to have them both walk you down the aisle. If that may cause tension with your dad, some brides choose to have one father figure start off the walk, while the other meets in the middle and finishes escorting the bride down the aisle. Otherwise, if you choose to only walk with your dad, or to walk alone, this would be a good way to order the family portion of the processional: The groom’s stepmother walks with the groom’s father, followed by the groom’s mother with her partner – if applicable – or an usher. If the bride has a stepmother, she would go down the aisle next, escorted either by an usher or the bride’s father if the bride plans to walk alone. 

If you were raised by two men or two women, you may choose to have them both walk you down the aisle, or one parent may prefer the honor and another will choose a different role – such as giving a toast. As a bride, don't feel like it has to be a man who walks you down the aisle, a mother who raised you on your own is a beautiful choice for an escort.

Same-sex weddings provide an opportunity to examine and subvert gender norms, though of course heterosexual couples may change up their ceremony because of this as well. The two grooms or brides may choose to each walk down the aisle in whatever order they decide, they may walk at the same time with two aisles, or they may choose to walk down the singular aisle together, indicating the step they are taking. For some couples, there may be someone who takes more of a "bride" or "groom" role than another, and choose to follow what's considered a traditional ceremony. Unlike when dealing with stepparents and additional family matters, there is no fear of hurting someone's feelings, so you can do whatever you're comfortable with!

Gather ideas for your wedding processional songs here, take a look at nontraditional wedding songs, discover a step-by-step guide to your ceremony, and view images of gorgeous ceremonies from real weddings in our photo galleries!