not walking down the aisle before wedding ceremony?

[questionaboutsettings]

Hey ladies! I thought y''all might have some creative thoughts of this:

I really don''t like the idea of walking down the aisle at the start of the wedding ceremony. I am pretty shy, and just would be trying to walk as fast as possible probably! It''s just not my thing. I suggested to my FH that we already be at the ceremony location (like 1/2 hour before the ceremony) greeting people and chatting with them (it''s not a very formal wedding, though there are 150 people invited probably.) He was fine with the idea of not walking down the aisle, but didn''t think it would be fun to have to greet and chat with everyone right before. Any other ideas? There is only a very small bridal party (MOH and BM) and I just would love to do something more informal and more "me" - if only I could think of what!

Thanks for any ideas!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Okay, since no one has replied yet, I guess I will be the first. I would think it very strange if I went to a wedding and the bride did not walk down the aisle. You can obviously do whatever you want but there is no reason to be shy. Your friends and family love and support your FI and you. Can you pick a venue with a shorter aisle? Is your dad going to walk you down? If so I am sure it would mean a lot to him. People LOVE watching the bride come down the aisle. It''s all about anticipation. People were sobbing at my wedding and taking pictures. I think it is something you should think about.

 

[larussel03]

I understand not wanting to have all the attention focused on you, but I think alot of your guests, if not all, would be dissapointed in not seeing you walk down the aisle. It takes less than a minute, so I think you should just muster all your courage and do it, and pay attention to not walk too fast so that everyone can see how beautiful you look. It''s awkward and nerve wracking (esp if you''re a cryer like me) but I think that in the end you will be really glad that you did walk down the aisle.

That said, if you really cannot do it, then I guess you could stand at the front when it started--would you not be having your BMs walk down as well then?

 

[questionaboutsettings]

Thanks so much for the replies - great food for thought! You girls are right that people definitely like the walking down the aisle part... I guess the thing is that I wanted a really small wedding (like, 30 people) and in order to make sure feelings weren''t hurt, ended up agreeing to invite 150 people - some of whom I will have never met or barely know! I guess I am just trying to find a way to keep the "feel" that I wanted - informal, relaxed, comfortable that would have been possible with a really small wedding. If it was a smaller wedding, or just family and good friends, I think I''d be more comfortalbe with the whole idea...maybe I''m weird, but I just don''t like the idea of walking down the aisle just to make the guests happy.

Hmmm...thanks again for the replies!

 

[wifey2b]

Is coming from the side as opposed to an aisle an option or where you are having your wedding? Your MOH and BM and yourself could come from one side, and your FI and his men could come in at the same time from the other side...everyone meeting in the middle. I know how you feel, and I understand those who try to convince you of the coming down the aisle...all I say is, remember hon, it''s your wedding and whatever makes you comfortable, then I know all us gals are there behind you in whatever you decide - giggle

Well, we do have to stick together in all these pressures - giggle
I just wish you the happiest day of your life :}

 

[KimberlyH]

Hey questions,

I had an informal wedding (only 28 guests, no bridal party, skipped the veil, wore the beatiful dress, hubby in a suit etc.) and we took pictures beforehand and then mingled with the guests and it was a blast. My dad did walk me down the aisle, but to an informal song (our guitarist revised a college victory song for me, it''s my dad''s and my favorite team and we have watched games together for many years). Perhaps to assist with shyness have both parents walk you down the aisle so you''re flanked by people...and if your that nervous let FI know that mingling beforehand might loosen you up.

Good luck to you! I''m sure it will be great no matter what you choose.

 

[mia15]

Hi-

How about walking down the isle with your fiance?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Kimberly, that is a good idea about have both parents walk her down. There were 130 guests at our wedding and honestly I cannot imagine chatting with that many people before hand! How tiring. Your mind is focus elsewhere and while FI and I saw each other privately (with photographers) before hand it felt pretty good to greet everyone as a married couple after the ceremony. I understand you feeling uncomfortable. My walk was pretty long (the longest of any wedding I have been to since we got married on a golf course and it is very open) and I was worried about it too but I just focused on getting to my DH (and some last minute laughs with my dad) and honestly I almost didn''t notice the people. In the end it is your wedding and you should do what you want. I am just trying to encourage you to be brave.