Who walks down the aisle first? You guessed it—there are no rules! Usually, the 'maids walk down first, followed by the MOH with the bride last. If you're just having one maid or matron of honor, it's a simple line-up.
Either a maid or a matron of honor may walk first in the wedding processional. Typically carrying a floral bouquet, they'll often walk down the aisle alone or alongside the best man. If you include both a maid and matron of honor in your ceremony, you have the flexibility to choose either person to walk first.
A matron of honor is anyone who occupies the same role and fulfills the same duties as a maid of honor, but has already had a wedding of their own. The title holds the same rank as "maid of honor" does in a wedding party.
The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone. The Ring Bearer(s) and/or the Flower Girl(s): The ring bearer walks down the aisle followed by the flower girl. They then sit with their parents after walking down the aisle.
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
After those people take their places, the best man and the groomsmen traditionally walk down the aisle, in order to protect the groom from evil spirits or attackers. Then the bridesmaids make their way down the aisle, followed by the maid of honor.
Maid of Honor/Matron of Honor
Before starting down the aisle, she should take a moment to look over the bride's wedding gown, dress train, and veil to see that they are perfectly in place. Then she walks down the aisle, after the bridesmaids and groomsmen, and stands next to the bride, on her left.
Maid or matron of honor walks down the aisle by herself immediately following the bridesmaids. Ring bearer proceeds down the aisle. Flower girl proceeds down the aisle.
The matron of honor is no more important (or less important) than the maid of honor. The job is exactly the same — the only real difference is the title.
It's really easy—a matron of honor is a head bridesmaid who happens to be married, while a maid of honor is unmarried. In both cases, these roles are considered leaders of the bridesmaids, meaning it's an extra-special honor often bestowed upon the bride's sister, other close relative, or best friend.
If she is married, the title matron of honor is used. In modern day weddings some brides opt to choose a long-time male friend or brother as their head attendant, using the title man of honor.
There's no reason you can't have two maids or matrons of honor. These are the two women you feel closest to, and you want them by your side on your wedding day. But even if you're a super-chill bride, it's wise to give them each a set of responsibilities that play to their strengths and interests.
Definition: A Maid/Matron of Honor is someone who is chosen to be the bride's right hand person leading up to the wedding and on the big day! She is in charge of planning some of the pivotal events before the wedding. On wedding day she is there to stand by the bride's side if she needs anything!
The maid of honor, along with the rest of the bridal party, is expected to cover all wedding attire costs. This includes the dress (plus any necessary alterations), shoes, and any jewelry you'll be wearing the day of. Occasionally, the bride will gift her bridesmaids with whatever accessories she wants them to wear.
Usually she is dressed the same as the bridesmaids, although some brides will reflect her status with a different colour, piece of jewellery or slightly different dress design. Note that if she is married, the correct term is matron of honour. Here is a more detailed look at a Maid of Honour's duties.
The day before the wedding
Take the lead in ensuring all the bridesmaids have all the details the date, the time, and the location. And that they also have their dresses, shoes and accessories ready to go. Check that the bridal party understands the events' running order for the day ahead.
The Matron of Honor is expected to give a toast to the happy couple. This special honor is reserved for the bride's close friend.
The Maid and Matron of Honor share the same duties. These include making speeches, wearing a special gown, and helping with planning/day of duties. Really, the only difference between the two roles is the title!
Grand Dame of Honor.
The maid of honor usually stands closest to the bride and holds the bride's bouquet. If one of your besties is a matron of honor, you can ask her to stand in the second spot. But if they're both equal MOHs, you'll just have to decide who stands where.
A Groomsman
This is the traditional choice and gives the guy another few moments in the spotlight. If the bride has a stepmother, she would be escorted to her seat by a groomsman before the mother of the bride; the bride's mom should be the last person to be escorted down the aisle, just before the bridal party.
“The Maid of Honor refers to a bride's honor attendant who is NOT married. The Matron of Honor refers to one who is married. Honor attendants are usually a best friend or sister. Recently though, some brides have selected their mother for this role.
The wedding party members can walk down the aisle individually or in pairs. The person or people standing farthest away from the couple would enter first.
Officiant stands at the altar. Groom and best man enter from a side door and stand at the altar. Bridesmaids and ushers walk in pairs (if there are uneven numbers, the odd person can walk alone, or two maids or groomsmen can walk together). The maid or matron of honor walks alone.
Simply line up your bridesmaids and groomsmen from shortest to tallest or tallest to shortest (up to you!) aside from your maid of honor and best man, who should stand next to the couple regardless.