The head ushers are so designated by the
groom. One usher escorts the groom’s mother to
her pew on the right. Just before the ceremony is
to start, the head usher escorts the bride’s
mother to her pew on the left —and she is the last
person to be seated. All guests should be seated
before the exact time designated for the wedding
to begin. When there is a soloist, guests should
wait quietly at the rear of the chapel until the
conclusion of the song before they are seated.
Latecomers are expected to seat themselves in
the back of the chapel; however, guests are not
expected to be late.
THE PROCESSIONAL.—Generd instruc-
tions at the wedding rehearsal for this portion of
the ceremony are as follows:
The procession forms upon the completion
of the ushers’ duties, with the ushers taking their
places at the head of the procession in the back
of the chapel.
The first note of the wedding march is the
signal that the ceremony is beginning. By this
time, everything is in order, and everyone is in
place. (See figure 4-20.) The order is:
a. The chaplain enters the chancel area and
takes his place before the guests.
b. The groom enters, followed at about two
paces by the best man, and both are in the same
marching step as paced by the chaplain. Upon
reaching the chancel steps, they turn and face
the guests and the direction from which the bride
will enter.
c. Simultaneously with the appearance of
the groom and best man, the first ushers start
forward in pairs. The pairs of ushers are sepa-
rated by the approximate distance of six pew
spaces. Ushers are paired so that the shorter
ones precede the taller. (In some chapels the
ushers may process singly.)
d. The ushers face the front of the chapel
until all are in position, then they turn together
and face the approaching bride.
e. The bridesmaids follow the ushers, walk-
ing singly with the approximate space of six pews
between them. The bridesmaids face the front of
the chapel until the arrival of the maid of honor
(figure 4-21). (The bridesmaids may also walk in
pairs.)
f. The maid or matron of honor is approxi-
mately eight pew spaces behind the bridesmaids.
She also faces the front of the chapel, then she
and the bridesmaids together turn and face the
assembled guests.
g. When a ring bearer and flower girl are
used (in that order), they walk approximately
five pew spaces behind the maid or matron of
honor, and five pew spaces in front of the bride.
(A ring bearer and/or flower girl may walk
singly or in pairs.)
n. The bride processes to the front of the
chapel on the right arm of her father (guardian
or family representative). The members of the
bridal party are now facing toward the chaplain,
and the guests are facing the front of the chapel.
i. When the bride reaches a point between
the groom and the maid of honor, the groom
advances to meet her and the wedding party
turns to face the front of the chapel (figure
4-22A). Figure 4-22B shows the positions which
may be held at a Jewish wedding.
j. The guests maybe seated or remain stand-
ing throughout the ceremony as directed by the
chaplain. The procession is ended and the wed-
ding ceremony begins. (The various wedding
ceremonies, religious rites are discussed later in
the chapter.)
THE RECESSIONAL.—The bride and
groom are the first to leave the chancel (figures
4-23A and B and figure 4-24), with the bride on
the right arm of the groom. The maid of honor
and the best man walk out together, followed by
the bridesmaids and ushers in pairs. Designated
ushers will escort the bride’s mother and the
groom’s mother to the back of the chapel. The
chaplain may choose to depart the chancel area
by joining the recessional at this point.
There is no effort made to keep step with the
music during the recessional, but everyone walks
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