If you have ever been to a wedding — or watched a wedding take place in a movie — you may have noticed all the guests standing up when the bride enters. At one point, you may have wondered why people do this in the first place.
Standing for the bride is a sign of appreciation and regard toward her. In some cases, guests stand for the bride to make the ceremony more joyful. Provided below is a more in-depth answer to, “Why do we stand for the bride?” along with related frequently asked questions.
Why Do We Stand for the Bride? Answered
At its core, the tradition of standing for the bride is a way of showing her respect and admiration as she enters the wedding venue. Standing allows the guests to move closer to the aisle and marvel at the bride’s and her dress’s beauty.
Another reason why we stand for the bride is to make the ceremony feel more festive. Guests can get on their feet, clap for the bride, and give the event a more joyous celebration. This is particularly true for Jewish ceremonies and cultural weddings.
Historically, people wait for the bride’s mother to stand before following suit. In lieu of the bride’s mother, it can be a grandmother, stepmother, or mother-in-law. In the past, if a mother figure does not initiate, then guests remain seated for the entire processional.
However, nowadays, the wedding officiant will announce prior to the bride’s entrance that guests must rise. In some cases, officiants do not have to ask at all; the act of standing up for the bride comes naturally to many guests.
Standing for the Bride: Frequently Asked Questions
Can you skip the tradition of standing for the bride?
Couples are perfectly free to opt out of making their guests stand for the bride as she walks down the aisle. There are no strict rules about having this tradition at your wedding.
If you want to skip this tradition, make sure to tell the officiant or master of ceremonies. This way, they can omit the announcement at the processional. In its place, the guests can simply turn in their seats to watch you walk down the aisle.
However, given that this tradition is so ingrained in the public consciousness, you may find that even if you intend to skip the tradition, some guests will still stand for the bride. They might stand to admire your dress, take photos, or move closer to the aisle.
Is it okay to tell the guests to remain seated?
As illustrated above, some couples opt to remove this part of the ceremony through an announcement from the officiant. You might be worried about coming across as rude.
However, you can avoid any misunderstanding or miscommunication with effective wording. A simple, “Please remain seated,” before the processional begins can go a long way.
You can also be straightforward and have your officiant say, “As per the bride’s request, please remain seated as she walks down the aisle.”
To go the extra mile, you can tell your guests you will be having an “unplugged ceremony.” They cannot take their phones and cameras out to capture pictures and videos. Doing so can help you encourage guests to stay seated, as photos and videos are a major motivation for them to stand.
Are there benefits to asking your guests to stay seated?
According to couples and guests, here are some of the reasons why they enjoyed not having to stand for the bride during the recessional:
- Shorter guests do not have to worry about anyone obstructing the view.
- The bride does not get distracted by guests taking pictures.
- The photographer can take photos without worrying about blocking the view.
Can you also stand for the groom?
Some brides feel awkward about guests standing for them during the processional; one of the reasons is that their guests do not stand for the groom.
If you are wondering, “Why do we stand for the bride and not the groom?” there is no clear and definitive answer.
With that said, you can incorporate this small gesture into your ceremony with a few adjustments to your officiant’s script and timeline. Let them know beforehand that you want them to announce to the guests that they will stand for the groom as he enters.
Can guests stand up for the entire processional?
Yes, guests can stand not only for the bride and groom but also for the entire bridal party. The order of the processional can vary depending on the couple, but in general, the mother of the bride typically enters first.
Before the first member of the bridal party walks down the aisle, have your officiant ask everyone to stand up for the processional. Afterward, have them signal when your guests can sit down again.
What if it is a same-sex wedding?
As for a gay, lesbian, or non-binary wedding, there might be some confusion about what part of the processional the guests should stand for.
However, there is one basic, uncomplicated principle: guests should stand for the individual if the individual wants them to.
If the first bride wants guests to stand for her as she enters, but the second bride does not want that for her, then it is as simple as respecting their wishes.
The reasons why we stand for the bride, groom, or newlywed remain the same in the context of a same-sex or non-binary wedding.
Final Thoughts
Even though the tradition does not have a clear historical basis, ultimately, the answer to “Why do we stand for the bride?” is respect and admiration. If the bride prefers her guests to remain seated, following her wishes is still a sign of your respect and admiration toward her.
