Double Wedding
Double Wedding Logistics
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I am in charge of coordinating a double wedding for two sisters. Can you tell me how the brides and bridesmaids enter and leave the church, who goes first, and how the ceremony is performed?
The order of processional and recessional for a double wedding depends a bit on both the relationship of the brides, and their preferences. I've seen a number of different arrangements described in print, although I've never actually seen a double wedding personally.
I've also read that because of the complicated logistics of double weddings, often the minister has the final word in deciding the arrangement. But I imagine that some ministers have not performed double ceremonies, either, so in that case they wouldn't have too much more insight than anyone else involved. I also imagine that a very organized and complete rehearsal would be important, too.
In all cases, the older bride enters first, and does most everything else first, as well. That seems to be a given.
If the church has two main aisles, each bride/ bridal party can use their "own" aisle for the processional and recessional. But since this is fairly unusual, most double weddings have to enter and leave together, in one way or another. The two most likely seem to be:
~Ushers/groomsmen enter in pairs (one for each couple), then take places at opposite sides of the altar. (Although I've not seen any definitive information about how you decide which group has which side.)
~Bridesmaids follow in pairs, one for each couple, then take their places on the sides with the corresponding groomsmen.
~Flower girls and ringbearers enter in pairs, then take their places on either side.
~Maids/matrons of honor enter together, taking their places on either side.
~Brides follow, eldest first with her father. Younger enters after with another male relative (if the brides are sisters) or with her father. If the brides are sisters, it is also acceptable (if the aisle is wide enough) for the father to have one bride on each arm.
Or:
~Ushers/groomsmen enter in pairs (one for each couple), then take places at opposite sides of the altar.
~Bridesmaids, flower girl, ringbearer, maid/matron of the *elder* bride enter and take their places.
~Elder bride and her father enter and take their places.
~Bridesmaids, flower girl, ringbearer, maid/matron of the *younger* bride enter and take their places.
~Younger bride and her father (or male relative) enter and take their places. Or, if they are sisters, the father can escort the elder bride, then return immediately (before the younger's processional) to escort her, too.
The logistics of how they stand at the altar will just depend on how much room you have, etc.
The mothers of the bride (if there are two) can either sit together on the first pew, or the younger brides mother can sit in the second pew.
During the ceremony, the couples can either take their vows simultaneously, or the elder bride's ceremony can be completed first, then the younger's. In a simultaneously-performed ceremony, anytime (as for the ring exchange) the ceremony elements must be done separately, the elder bride and her groom go first.
In the receiving line, if they have a formal one, the order is the same as normal, but the parents of the elder bride stand together, then the parents of the younger, etc. alternating.
Hope this helps, and good luck with the wedding!