So here is something crazy to consider, because you KNOW I love to shake things up and do something different. So let’s talk about the bride side vs the groom side at your wedding ceremony. Note: we are talking tradition so if for example, two ladies are marrying, then think about your respective families. Read on, it will make sense.
You know at the ceremony (if facing the altar), the Christian and non-religious tradition is to have the Bride’s family and friends on the left side and the Groom’s respective family and friends on the right side.
At one of our weddings at the beautiful West Baden hotel, something happens seconds before the families walked down the aisle. There was some confusion and gathering of a large processional. So when the mother of the bride and father of the groom was escorted, they accidentally went to the “wrong sides”. The bride’s mother was sitting on the right side (front row) and the groom’s father was sitting on the left side (front row). However, like tradition, the bride stood at the “altar” on the left and the groom stood on the right.
Standing in the back, immediately I saw this and thought DOH! I still had a ring dog and three wiggly flower girls and a ring bearer to contain.
Oh well, that is how weddings go. No such thing as perfection … just roll with it.
But wait, as the ceremony began I realized, this mishap is kinda brilliant. You see, the bride’s mom can now watch her baby’s face during the ceremony instead of seeing the back of her head. The same for the groom’s dad.
featured and images: amy shepherd photography
There are many speculations as to how this tradition started with having the bride on the left and the groom on the right. My feeling it really comes from the right side traditionally being reserved for men as it is considered a position of privilege and power, (think Jesus is “seated” at the right side of God”. )
I suggest, keeping the tradition, but for the families, switching it up. Who cares where the parents sit? For us, the most important part is being part of the ceremony, the emotion, and enjoying it. And as a mother, I would rather watch my son’s face while he takes his vows (15 years from now) than watch his new wife. Call me crazy.
What do you think? Love for you to weigh in … if you’re getting married, will you consider this shake-up of this tradition?
I have talked of this for the 2 years since my oldest daughter got married. We have another wedding this fall and we will be on the right hand side. !!
That’s awesome!!!!
It may have been deliberate. My daughter asked us, mom and dad, to sit on the right so she could see us if she got nervous or emotional. As it turned out, she never took her eyes off her groom, but I loved seeing her face.
I don’t think so, it was an accident, they just didn’t listen to our instructions as to which side to sit on. That’s okay, that mistake was the best thing ever!
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