? about your weddings

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've only ever seen groomsmen one time, and they walked up w/ the maids.

Originally Posted by WinniBug

I usually see groomsmen escorting the bridesmaids up the aisle...except the best man/maid of honor. He's usually waiting at the front of the church with the minister and groom, and she walks down alone.

Interesting. I've never seen groomsmen escort bridesmaids up the aisle. With the exception I note below, I've invariably seen the groom, best man and clergy wait at the front, the groomsmen come up the aisle in pairs and stand to the side of the groom, followed by the bridesmaids and then MOH, who come in one-by-one and stand next to the bride. The groomsmen do escort the bridesmaids out.

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

Who is escorted down and when also varies by religion. I did a lot of research on this trying to accomodate the recent divorce of my inlaws. I also had both of my parents walk me down the aisle, which is traditionally Jewish I believe, where as Roman Catholics traditionally just have Dad.

Very true. I've been to Jewish weddings where both the bride and the groom were "escorted" in by both parents. I've been to Episcopal weddings where everyone processed -- a crucifer leading, followed by clergy, groomsmen, BM, groom, bridesmaids, MOH, bride.

Originally Posted by AGDee

I've seen groomsmen do it both ways, walking the bridesmaids down the aisle and waiting by groom. In both cases, they escorted the bridesmaids out. I think which way you do it is just the church's standard and personal preference.

I would think it also has a lot to do with regional tradition. Few things bring out the tradtion sentiment more than weddings. Seriously, I can just see a bride around here saying that she wants the groomsmen to escort the bridesmaids in, and her mother and the wedding director shaking their heads and saying "that's not how it's done."

Originally Posted by Army Wife'79

I noticed when I moved "down South" (GA, SC & AL) that a lot of Dads are the "Best Man". I had never seen that when I was stationed up North or in the Midwest. Isn't it interesting how regional things are? (i.e. the whole "cookie table" notion in another thread)

That's really what I was getting at -- whether this is mainly a Southern thing. It certainly doesn't happen all the time, but I would guess that in about 80% of the weddings I've been to, the groom's dad was his best man. My father was mine and my brother's.