Everything to Know About a Wedding Recessional, According to the Experts

After saying "I do" and sealing a new marriage with a kiss, the wedding recessional takes place. This portion of the nuptial ceremony is part logistics and part tradition. The chosen recessional songs will play as the couple proceeds from the ceremony site, followed by members of the wedding party and close family. Other guests during the recessional will cheer on the couple as they enter this new stage of their lives and maybe even throw rice or flower petals to add a special celebratory note to the ceremony finale. Then, the couple proceeds out of the ceremony space into the next wedding phase.

The recessional should follow a structured formula so the end of the wedding goes off without a hitch. Ahead, learn everything about wedding recessionals, as well as the traditional orders for certain cultures. To find an officiant to help with all things recessionals, search The Knot Vendor Marketplace for pros in your marrying location.

In this article: What Is a Wedding Recessional? | Wedding Recessional Order | How to Plan Your Wedding Recessional

What Is a Wedding Recessional?

Photography: Julia K.

Curious about the definition of a recessional? The meaning of a recessional is the end of the wedding ceremony, where the newly married couple goes back down the aisle after the exchange of vows and pronouncement of marriage. The recessional also includes the time when the couple is followed by their wedding party and families walk the aisle as well.

Wedding Recessional Order

The order of a wedding recessional depends on the traditions of your culture's wedding ceremony order. Read a breakdown of a few common recessional practices ahead.

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Modern Wedding Recessional Order

Photography: Kapsule Co.

A modern wedding doesn't have to follow exact traditions, yet many follow a general recessional order. The couple usually begins the recessional, followed by any wedding party members, family and officiants. A good rule of thumb? Follow the reverse of the wedding processional order.

1. Couple
2. Wedding party
3. Family
4. Officiant

Catholic Wedding Recessional Order

In a traditional Catholic wedding, the wedding timeline of the recessional continues as follows. "As soon as the bride and groom are presented as husband and wife and after they kiss each other, they turn and face their families and guests," shares Catholic officiant Father Jerry Bellamy. "All applaud. The recessional music begins to play. The officiant motions for all to stand. The bride's bouquet is handed back to her. The bride and groom process down the center aisle. The ring bearer and flower girl then come to the center aisle and follow immediately behind the bride and groom. When the bride and groom reach the last row of guests, the best man and the best woman come to the center, join arms and begin walking down the aisle. The remaining members of the wedding party process out as couples in the same fashion. Lastly, the mother and father of the bride process out, followed by the mother and the father of the groom. The officiant then follows the parents."

"In many instances, the bride and groom will go directly into the church office, along with the witnesses, to sign the church marriage book and the marriage license," he adds. "At this time, the best man might offer a gratuity to the officiant or make a donation to the church. After everything is signed, all leave the office and participate in the festivities." Here is what a typical Catholic wedding recessional looks like.

1. Couple
2. Flower girl and ring bearer
3. Best man and maid of honor
4. Wedding party
5. Parents of the couple
6. Officiant

Jewish Wedding Recessional Order

Photography: Paige Eden

Planning a Jewish wedding? Rabbi Stacy Bergman says the wedding ceremony recessional proceeds as follows: "The ceremony concludes with the breaking of the glass, followed by the kiss under the chuppah. The bride and groom recess out together, often planning for another special kiss at the top of the aisle. Then the remaining participants recess out—usually the bride's parents first, then the groom's parents." She continues, "The bridesmaids and groomsmen pair up and recess out in pairs or triples and the grandparents and others bring up the rear. As the bride and groom leave the ceremony space, they continue to a private area to enjoy 20-ish minutes of Yichud, a special few moments alone to toast to themselves, share a snack and embrace the idea that they have just gotten married."

1. Couple
2. Marrier one or bride's parents
3. Marrier two or groom's parents
4. Wedding party in pairs or triples
5. Grandparents
6. Other family members seated in reserved areas

Christian Wedding Recessional Order

A Christian ceremony also has its own traditions of how the wedding concludes. "The recessional itself begins, not with the music but rather with the blessing over the couple right before they kiss, turn and process out as official newlyweds," explains Pastor Jane of Fab Weddings. "That blessing, the declaring of the union as sacred, is the officiant's privilege. Whether called a prayer or a blessing, inserting this right before the announcement speaks to all the hopes I have for the couple, for their marriage, family, home and beyond. This kicks off their first kiss, the announcement of their new names, and then, after the applause dies down, the couple beams their way down the aisle."

"But the couple's travel down the aisle as newlyweds doesn't end the ceremony! After any attendants in the wedding party process down, congratulating the couple's parents from the front is a joy, whether verbally or with handshakes," she continues. "They've been a significant part of bringing the newlyweds to this moment in time. It's lovely to invite them to walk together down the aisle, a symbol of the unity of the two families. If the aisle isn't wide enough for that, the parents can either pair up as moms together, then dads, or simply leave as couples." Below is the traditional wedding recessional order for a Christian wedding.

1. Couple
2. Wedding party
3. Couple's parents
4. Officiant

How to Plan Your Wedding Recessional

When crafting your own wedding ceremony exit, you can follow any order you wish. But, it is always advised to have the couple kick off the recessional. The most important thing is to make sure it's set in stone and your entire wedding party, nuclear family and officiant are aware of the order. This can be practiced at your wedding rehearsal so that the end of the ceremony doesn't feel disorganized.