Etiquette & Guests
Wedding Ceremonies and Traditions Etiquette
Our etiquette experts answer all of your ceremony- and traditions-related questions.
Q: What are the rules about escorts, attire and dances for second weddings?
Q: During the procession, in what order do the kids in the bridal party walk down the aisle?
Q: Both my father and grandfather have passed away, and I've never been close to my stepfather, but my mother says he should escort me down the aisle. Can I walk down the aisle by myself?
Q: What's the rule—does a bridesmaid who's Jewish have to go through the motions of our Christian service?
Q: We're worried a receiving line will eat into our reception time. What should we do?
Q: My divorced parents are both remarried. How do I work the ceremony seating and the receiving line?
Q: May our dog participate in the wedding ceremony?
Q: Whose mother should be seated first at the ceremony, the bride's or the groom's? In what order do they exit the church?
Q: I was married by a justice of the peace in 1994. Now that we're older and can afford it, I'd like to have a formal wedding with the works. Can I wear a white dress with a train and a veil? Do we have to hold the ceremony on our anniversary? And how do we tell guests that we don't expect gifts?
Q: Who holds the rings when there is no ring bearer?
Q: I'm getting married for the second time, though it's my fiancé's first marriage. I feel funny wearing white, but can we still have a decent-size wedding? His family's so excited about the wedding, and I don't want to disappoint them.
Q: I'm pregnant—can I have a big wedding? And should we invite the family members who are against it?
Q: I think the garter toss is tacky, but everyone says it's a time-honored tradition and we should include it in our reception. Do we have to do it, or is there an alternative?
Q: Our parish priest has always struck me as a bore, but my father wants him to officiate. What can I do?
Q: I hate my name, Gwendolyn. Can our minister use my nickname, "Lynnie," during the vows?
Q: What's a proper way to honor my late grandmother at the wedding?
Q: My mom's a widow—can her sisters sit with her in the front row?
Q: I'd like to have both my father and my stepfather give me away, since I'm close to each of them. Do I just walk between them down the aisle?
Q: Can I tweet someone else's wedding if I am a guest? How about posting pictures I take during the wedding on my Facebook page?
Q: We're not Jewish, but we love the significance and look of a chuppah. Can we still use one at the ceremony?
