Bridal Lineup

I want to know about the procession and lineup of the bridal party. I have attended to a lot of weddings and some were not very organized. I just need a little help with the lineup and do's and do not's. Any suggestions will be helpful.

Generally the procession in Christian weddings goes as follows: Any grandparents are ushered in, then the groom's mother (with groom's father walking behind usher & mother), and then the bride's mother gets ushered in. She is the last person to be seated by an usher. If using a runner, this is then spooled out by ushers.

The officiant (minister or priest) takes his/her place, followed by the groom & best man (who usually enter from the chancel door) and stand facing the guests. The groom is next to the officiant and best man one step behind at an angle. The groomsmen then enter from the back of the church (or wedding site), in pairs, by height, with the shortest entering first. If there is an odd number, the shortest walks in first, alone. They leave three or four pews between them as they walk in. Or, if you prefer, all the groomsmen can enter together with the groom and line up at an angle, by height, shortest to tallest.

The bridesmaids walk down the aisle next, shortest to tallest. The maid of honor walks in after the last bridesmaid (so she stands next to the bride). Then the ring bearer and flower girl. As each reaches their place up front, they turn to their right and form a diagonal line from the bride and groom. The ring bearer and flower girl can stand at the altar if they are old enough or they can sit in the second or third pews with their parents during the ceremony if they can't stand still for long periods of time. They stand in front of the attendants if remaining by the altar.

Finally, the bride and her father (or escort) with the bride on her father's left arm. Pages if there are any, come last to carry the bride's train.

Jewish weddings have a different order (which included both the bride's parents walking her down the aisle and often also includes the groom's parents with the groom, all who stand with the bride and groom under the huppah during the ceremony.)

Then for the recession, the bride and groom leave first, followed by the flower girl and ring bearer. Then the bridesmaids and groomsmen walk in pairs down the aisle. Then ushers can escort the mothers of the couple and any other honored guests out. You can go directly to a receiving line for guests if you want (some do this at the reception), but at some time before you leave the church (or the wedding site), the bride and groom, maid of honor and best man and the officiant have to meet to sign the marriage license.