Prairie HiveWhen two people decide to get married, one of the first things they have to think about is how long the ceremony will be. Some couples want a quick, simple ceremony, while others want something more elaborate. But how long does it actually take to walk down the aisle?
Wedding planning can be tricky with all the key moments you need to consider ensuring their perfect execution. How will you exchange vows? What song will you choose for your first dance as a married couple?
However, many couples seem to overlook the first and probably the most important moment, which is none other than the processional.
In general, it takes 30 seconds to 1 minute for the bride to walk down the aisle, while the rest of the bridal party must finish their walk on an average of 3 to 4 minutes. However, the total time can still vary depending on different factors, including the speed of the walk, choice of processional music, and the length of the aisle.
How Long Does a Wedding Processional Take?
A wedding processional typically lasts around three minutes, but it can vary based on the number of people in the procession and the song’s tempo. If there are a lot of guests or if the song is slow, the processional could take up to five minutes.
Generally, the bride and her father walk down the aisle first, followed by the bridal party, then the groom and his parents. Sometimes couples choose to have a more informal procession, such as having everyone enter at once or having just the bridal party walk down.
How Long Will It Take to Walk Down the Aisle for the Wedding Party?
It shouldn’t take over 2 to 3 minutes for the entire wedding party to complete walking the aisle. This means that depending on how long the aisle is, how many people are part of the wedding party, and the speed or pace you like them to walk, this time for walking down the aisle can be adjusted accordingly.
You can choose from any of the three primary ways of how your wedding party can walk down the aisle:
In Groups
When you have an especially large wedding party, or you have an especially long aisle and you want to reduce the time as much as possible, you can divide them into several groups for walking down the aisle.
In Pairs
Another way to cut back on the time of processional is to have all the groomsmen and bridesmaids walk in pairs. You can even have the maid of honor and the best man walk together.
One by One
If you have a smaller wedding party or you have a short aisle, you can just have everyone walk one by one down the aisle. This way, you can be sure that you can cover the 2 to 3 minutes sufficiently.
How Long Will It Take to Walk Down the Aisle for the Bride?
It should take the bride anywhere between 30 seconds to 1 minute to complete her walk down the aisle. But as always, there are several different variables that determine the length of time it takes for brides to walk down the aisle.
There is no such thing as a hard and fast rule on the exact timeframe for walking down the aisle due to different personal preferences and venues.
The following are some of the factors that influence the time it takes for brides to complete their walk down the wedding aisle:
Length of the Aisle
It may sound like a no-brainer, but it is only natural that the walk will take longer if the aisle itself is also longer. On the other hand, the walk will be shorter if the aisle is also shorter. Make sure to get in touch with your chosen venue to ask if it is possible to visit the place in advance so you can time yourself as you walk down the aisle.
Length of the Song Choice
If you like a meaningful song to be played in the background during your walk, especially a song with lyrics, it might be great that you practice getting the right timing of your walk so that it aligns just right with the words.
If your chosen song is an instrumental one, your choice of song will have a lesser impact on how long the walk down the aisle will take.
Personal Pace
While practicing your walk down the aisle, you might want to do it several times and try various speeds and paces. Use your phone’s timer so you can monitor the time of your walk down the aisle. You can also ask a family member or friend to help you gauge how slow or fast your walk should be.
All of these must be determined during your rehearsal. You can also ask the venue if it is possible for you to drop by for one or so to practice everything beforehand. Doing this will help you figure out the processional timing so you can try it during the rehearsal.
At the end of the day, you might want to slow down this special moment as much as you can so you can imprint it on your memory for life. Aside from that, going slower is also better than looking and feeling rushed.
What Order Do You Walk Down the Aisle?
Everybody technically walks down the aisle. Your guests will sort of need to walk down the aisle for them to reach their respective seats. The only difference is that they do it before the start of the ceremony, which means it is not yet a part of the official walk down the aisle.
Just imagine how long it will take if your guests are also included. This is obviously out of the question. So, what happens here is that your guests will go in first, wait for the wedding party to be complete, and the ceremony will begin.
The moment the ceremony starts, the beginning will be signaled by the people’s procession down the aisle. These people are the ones who are officially a part of the wedding ceremony itself.
But who are these people in the first place and in what exact order do they walk down the aisle?
The following are the people who walk down the aisle in typical Christian weddings:
- The Officiant
- The Mother of the bride
- The Groom
- The Best man
- The Groomsmen
- The Bridesmaids
- The Maid of honor
- The Flower girl
- The Ring bearer
- The Bride together with the father of the bride
Does the Groom Walk Down the Aisle?
Traditionally, the groom walks down the aisle with his father or another male relative. However, more and more grooms are choosing to walk down the aisle alone or with their bride. There are many reasons why a groom might choose to walk down the aisle alone or with his bride.
Some couples want to show their unity as a team, while others believe that it is more important for the bride to be the focus of attention on her big day. Walking down the aisle together can also be a beautiful way to start your married life together.
Does the Best Man Walk Down the Aisle?
Traditionally, the best man has escorted the bride down the aisle. But these days, with more couples choosing to have a destination wedding or an intimate ceremony, the best man may not be walking down the aisle at all. If you’re wondering who will escort the bride down the aisle on your big day, here are a few ideas.
If you’re having a traditional wedding, the best man is a natural choice to walk down the aisle with the bride. He’s been by her side throughout the planning process, and he’s probably one of her closest friends. He’ll be able to help her keep calm and enjoy her big day.
If you’re having a destination wedding or an intimate ceremony, you may want to choose someone other than the best man to walk down the aisle with you. Maybe your brother or your father would be a better choice.
What Time Does the Bride Walk Down the Aisle
Traditionally, the bride walks down the aisle at the beginning of the wedding ceremony. This is a time for her to make her grand entrance and show herself off to all of her guests. However, more and more couples are choosing to have their ceremony start with the exchange of vows, instead of the bride walking down the aisle.
If you’re looking to do something a little different, consider having your wedding start with the exchange of vows. This will allow you to save the best for last – your bride walking down the aisle!
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to consider how long the walk down the aisle will be when planning your wedding. For most couples, a slow and steady pace will do the trick. However, if you want to make a grand entrance, you may need to allot more time for your walk. No matter what, be sure to take your time and enjoy the moment!
