The long walk

The wedding party processional order usually follows very strict traditions, with family and wedding party members walking down the aisle in a very specific order, followed by the bride being given away by her father.

For many couples, those traditions can be difficult to follow. Those with complicated family situations, non-traditional couples, or brides or grooms who simply don’t like the thought of being “given away” may wonder exactly how to handle the procession. The good news is that you can change these traditional rules and make them work for your personal situation.

A stand-in: If you still want the feel of having an escort to walk with you down the aisle, choose another family member or friend to escort you. I’ve seen brides be escorted by brothers, uncles, mothers, sisters, or even Jon Bon Jovi.

Congratulations @branksd! May you & Gonzalo have a lifetime of happiness, love & memories together - ALWAYS! pic.twitter.com/JuN8eNKfdi

— Bon Jovi (@BonJovi) October 13, 2013

There’s no wrong answer for a special person to take that walk with you.

Walk yourself: You don’t absolutely have to have someone escort you down the aisle. If you want to enter by yourself, go for it! I’d recommend that you wear shoes you can walk easily in -- you don’t want to stumble down the aisle. Or, if you enter towards the front of the ceremony location, you can simply meet in front of your officiant and avoid a long walk altogether.

Enter as a couple: A favorite of same-sex couples as well as brides and grooms who want to show they’re entering into a marriage as equals -- you certainly can walk each other down the aisle.

As long as you work with your wedding planner and your officiant during the rehearsal so that everyone knows what to expect, you can make the procession yours!