Comments on: Aisle-free ceremony

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 28 May 2009 21:04:35 +0000

Now I see the good side of 40 years of communism and a the disappearance of patriarchal traditions … there's no walking down the aisle, the couple simply walks down together hand in hand

By: Thee, Hannah

Thee, Hannah — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:20:04 +0000

Not that I'm asking anyone to convert, of course, I'm just bringing this up to illustrate a way the "march" might be avoided. I don't expect anyone to follow all our religious stuff, but the physical format is nice and low-key:

Quaker weddings typically do not involve walking down an aisle because most modern Quaker meetings have seats arranged in a circle or square, and thus do not have aisles. The couple usually sits in one of the front benches (in the middle of the room), but you don't have to parade in in front of everyone if you don't want to. Everyone is settled for silent worship for awhile before the actual exchange of vows. Far less hoopla than most mainstream Christian weddings, and even sitting in the front bench is not as nerve-wracking because you're sitting at the same level as everyone else, not standing on a raised platform.

Also, Quaker brides very often give themselves away, although that is up to the woman herself.

By: Tiff

Tiff — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:17:29 +0000

I actually need help here for our upcoming wedding. We've both been married before and now divorced, we've been living together forever, we have a son together and kids from our previous marriages. I don't particularly believe I need to be "given away" by my dad, at this juncture in my life. And it's such a hokey concept anyway.

We've already got an aisle leading up to the arbor under which we'll be wed…now I just need an idea for the grand entrance, sans the father/daughter march.

Any thoughts, anyone?

By: nicole

nicole — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:14:42 +0000

My future sister in law did this at her wedding and I think we'll copy her:
the family members each brought up a rose and placed it in a large vase during the ceremony. It's a great way to include the family AND take the attention away for you for a minute.

By: Liz

Liz — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 22:24:43 +0000

Or you can reverse things, kind of like slythwolf recommended. Get yourselves in a room with the officiant, then have your parents or friends invite your guests/observers/admirers in to the room to share in the moment. If a crowd comes in, they'll be watching their step, fiddling with their own scarves, ties, socks, etc., and not as intent on just watching you.

By: MayaSB

MayaSB — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:27:02 +0000

I've also had the bride and groom just hanging out before the wedding, greeting guests (a good way to calm nerves, you aren't suddenly "On display") and they just casually made their way up/over/to the officiant.

Of course, Ariel, you know my love for weddings in the round or half-round is undying.

By: slythwolf

slythwolf — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 08:05:19 +0000

What about getting everybody in position and then allowing the guests in? Like, house doors open at 4:30, ceremony begins at 4:31. Or something.