How to Walk Down the Wedding Aisle as a Same-Sex Couple

There are some wedding traditions that don’t always translate in a same-sex wedding. Take, for instance, the ‘walking down the aisle’ part.

So, how does a same-sex couple walk down the wedding aisle?

Who walks first down the aisle when there are two brides? Who walks the lover down the aisle when it’s a queer couple? Can a same-sex couple walk down the wedding aisle together? So many questions. 

We asked six LGBTQ+ couples how they walked down the wedding aisle as a same-sex couple.

One Walks First, The Other Walks Second

Why shouldn’t each of the lovers have the chance to walk down the aisle?  There’s no right or wrong way to go about choosing who goes first. Maybe it’s a game of rock paper scissors at the top of the aisle. Maybe one person just wants to go first. Whatever feels right for you.

How Ari & Lucy Walked Down the Aisle

We didn’t put a lot of thought into who would go first. In fact, we can’t actually ever remember having a conversation about it until our wedding officiant asked us about two weeks out from the wedding date!

For no real reason, other than Lucy putting her hand up first, Lucy walked first with her Mom, and Ari followed with both of their parents.

How Rosie and Sky Chose Who Walked Down the Aisle First

We were so indecisive about who would walk first, and then second, so we went about it in an unconventional way. We started our wedding morning together – with a celebratory champagne breakfast, of course. Then, we tossed a coin before we separated to get ready with our respective wedding parties. We actually kept it a secret from our guests right up until the last minute! Rosie ended up walking down first with her younger brother and Sky walked second, by herself.

Sky had always wanted to walk alone. To her, it signified an independent woman making a choice to commit to her bride for the rest of her life.

Unconventional, sure, but it was the perfect solution for us.

One Person Waits, While the Other Walks Down the Aisle Toward Them

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do things a little more traditionally. If one partner doesn’t want to walk down the aisle, they can wait at the bottom of the aisle, under an arbor if you have one. 

How Sarah & Sarah Walked Down the Aisle

Sarah R cringed at the thought of walking down the aisle. Her parents have unfortunately been unsupportive when it came to her marrying Sarah and the tradition just brought up too much emotional angst. So, Sarah R waited at the altar under our beautiful copper and floral arbor (that she built herself!) and Sarah W walked toward her arm in arm with her Dad.

It actually worked out great because it meant that Sarah R was there to greet guests and share the rollercoaster of excitement and nerves with all of our guests and Sarah W, who has a tendency to always be late, had an extra minute (or twenty!) to finish getting ready.

Have Two Wedding Aisles

Not every ceremony location can accommodate this, but if they can, why not? Have two aisles, and walk down them together towards one another. If you can’t accommodate two aisles all the way to the ceremony spot, you could have two aisles that meet where you can walk part way separate, the final part together. 

How Meaghan & Kate Walked Down Two Wedding Aisles

We actually both walked down separate, but at the same time! Instead of having one walkway down the center of the ceremony venue we opted to have two walkways cut through our seating arrangement.

We were incredibly thankful to have the support of our parents. Each of us walked down with both of our parents! We know not every venue can cater to the way we had it set up, but we know this worked so well for us.

Walk Down The Aisle Together

It might feel right to walk down the aisle together. You might have gotten ready together, or shared a first look before the ceremony and so it feels right to walk down the aisle together.
You’ve got options too. Maybe you just walk together, or you might each have a loved one and the group of you walk down the aisle together. 

Why Lara & Nicole Walked Down The Aisle Together

We decided early on (if we are honest before we were even engaged) that we would have a ‘first look’ at our wedding. So, after we had our first look, and we had a chance to wipe away all the happy tears, we had our photographer invite our parents in to share a special moment together before we wed.

Our parents each walked us to the top of the aisle, said their congratulations, and we walked the rest of the way together.

Don’t Walk Down the Aisle at All

Just because traditionally there is an aisle, and traditionally at least one partner will walk down it, doesn’t mean you have to have a wedding aisle at all. You might want to be there to greet your guests, and then when the time comes, you just head to the ceremony spot, or you might choose to get married at a big dinner table, where no one stands. 

Why Suzy & Ryn Chose Not to Have a Wedding Aisle

Neither of us walked down the aisle.

When it came to wedding planning every single decision, including decisions to include more traditional elements, was matched with us asking ourselves and each other why we wanted to include it. We had a small and intimate wedding of just 23 of our closest friends and chosen family, neither of us liked the idea of being ‘given away’ and having an entrance just wasn’t important.

Together we greeted our guests as they arrived at the ceremony. When the time came, our officiant announced the start of the ceremony to us all. We simply walked up to the front of the room from where we were standing at the time and everything began after everyone found their seats.

Although we hadn’t heard of other couples doing it the same way as us, we knew it was right for us.

However you choose to walk down the aisle on your wedding day, choose to do it that way because that’s what feels most authentic to you as partners. Really think about it, rather than just doing what you feel like you should do.