Wedding Ceremony Protocols

Barbados Destination Weddings Onsite Magazine

TRADITIONAL CEREMONY ETIQUETTE FOR THE BRIDE

The Aisle - The bride traditionally walks on the left side of her Father or Father-giver.
The Church - The left side is known as the bride's side of the church (Jewish ceremony favours the right side for the bride).
The Ring - Engagement ring is placed on the right hand before the ceremony and placed after the wedding band once it is positioned.
Bouquet - Your bouquet is usually in the capable hands of your maid-of-honour. Depending on the type of ceremony this can be at various times. After your father or father-giver has kissed you the bouquet should be handed to her, she will be in charge of it until you have finished signing the book when she will hand it back to you. Or sometimes when it is time to exchange rings. Your officiate will guide you for your particular ceremony.
Veil - Traditionally your veil should be over your face when you walk down the aisle. Your father should turn it up to give you a kiss, or in some ceremonies your new husband will turn it up on the pronouncing and kiss you.

TRADITIONAL ETIQUETTE FOR THE GROOM

Church - The right side is known as the groom’s side of the church.
(Jewish ceremony favours the left side for the groom)
The Aisle - The groom traditionally waits for the bride to join him at the altar end of the aisle with his best man

Tradional Etiquette For The Best Man	Traditional Etiquette - Maid-Of-Honour
Ushers - It is your resposibility to coordinate the ushers. Rings - It is your responsibility to safeguard the rings, including pinning the rings for the ring bearer if you are not holding it yourself. Witness - You are expected to bear witness to the signing of the book and sign as such. Role - You are a representative of the groom at all times.	Veil - It is your duty to look after the bride’s veil and see that it remains attractive Gown - It is your duty to regularly observe the gown, in particular the train to see that it is smooth and trails nicely for the special walk up the aisle. Check the skirt too to ensure a smooth hang. Bouquet - It is your duty to hold the bride’s bouquet when necessary.

Traditional General Ceremony Etiquette

General Attire

For brides ... Etiquette states that you should not wear pure white or a veil if you have children or have been married before, opting instead for off white or other tints. However, it is your choice you do not have to stick to any rules. You may not fancy a hat and suit. If you wish to fulfil your dream wedding by all means wear white and a veil, feel happy in and enjoy your wedding.

Grooms and groomsmen should be suitably dressed as befitting the occasion and the type of wedding. No open necks or bare chests in church. However open necked shirts are perfectly suitably for a casual beach wedding.

Please also check with your officiator for other issues concerning low necklines, off-shoulders etc for certain churches.

This precautionary check also includes the bridesmaids attire.

Processional/Recessional

There are many variations to the processional; some have the flower girl and ring bearer going first, others have the groomsmen going first, it is entirely up to you. However, one thing never changes the bride and father giver always go last in a processional and the bride and groom always go first in a recessional.

Receiving Line

In Barbados the receiving line is usually conducted at the reception but if you decide not to have a reception it is advisable to have it on the church or venue premises. However, check first to see that you will not clash with any other function time wise.

Reserved Seats

These are typically up front occupying the first few pews. Traditionally reserved for immediate families and special guests and are sometimes decorated slightly different from the rest of the pews. Weddings with this differentiation usually state the seating preference in some way on the invitation for the benefit of the ushers.

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