Unique Ways
to Walk Down
The Aisle

For decades, most brides shared the same image of what walking down the aisle should look like. You have your father by your side, the wedding march playing in the background, and your bridesmaids follow or lead you in a slow stroll to the front of the church.

Want something a bit different and unexpected? In the last few years, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in couples keen to shed tradition in favor of a more personal wedding experience. These days, there’s nothing to stop you from dancing down the aisle with your best friends, inviting your mother to give you away, or even having the groom approach the bride instead.

The standard wedding march might be a tradition – but that doesn’t mean you have to follow it. Your wedding is all about you – so make it personal. Here are some creative ideas to walk down the aisle your way.

Creative Ideas To Walk Down The Aisle With

Your walk down the aisle, just like your theme, wedding dress, and shoe choice, should be unique to you. This is your chance to celebrate your one-of-a-kind love story, and your individuality. Why not shake things up? Here are some creative ideas to get you started.

• Have your mother give you away: If you have a special connection with your mother, or you’d prefer her to walk you down the aisle instead of your father, why not make the switch? Designating your mother as your escort into married life is a great way to highlight how important she is to you. This could be a great option for brides who don’t have a father around too.

• Walk with both parents: Jewish tradition has both parents accompany their bride down the aisle – you can follow suit. Both your parents probably had a huge impact on your life up until now, and there’s no reason to miss either of them out. Walking with both parents could even pay homage to the relationship you want your new marriage to live up to.

• Pick a unique escort: The person who walks you down the aisle doesn’t have to be one of your parents at all. Some people prefer to take the walk with a brother or sister who has always stood as a rock and source of support. Other brides might want to walk with their best friend, an aunt, uncle, or even a mentor. This is your chance to show someone important how much they mean to you, so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box. All kinds of family members and friends can make the cut.

• Walk with your pet: If you and your partner are famous animal lovers, why not honor your pet on your walk down the aisle? Having your pooch walk you to your partner to be is a wonderful and adorable way to show off one of the most loving members of your family. You can even get creative and dress your dog up with a little outfit of its own – just for the big day. It’s best to have someone on hand to look after the pup after the walk is over, of course.

• Have your spouse meet you half-way: It’s common for the wedding march to culminate at the end of the aisle, when the father passes the daughter over to her new husband. An alternative route would be to have your partner-to-be meet you mid-way down the aisle, perhaps allowing him to walk to a song of his own. Your partner coming to collect you and walk you to the alter can be symbolic of his new part in your life.

• Let the groom walk down the aisle. The bride often uses the walk down the aisle to show off her stunning outfit, and get people excited about the upcoming nuptials. But the groom doesn’t have to miss out. You could arrange for the groom to walk down the aisle before you, perhaps to his own choice of song. Another option is to have him walk to you for a change in pace. If you really want to buck tradition, walk down the aisle together, hand in hand towards your new life. Better yet, if your venue permits, why not walk towards each other?

• Go solo. Having someone walk you down the aisle can be a wonderful way to get a loved one involved in a meaningful moment of your life – but it’s not mandatory. Meghan Markle famously walked down the aisle of the St George Chapel alone when she was marrying Prince Harry. Harry met his bride halfway, but this was a wonderful way for Meghan to showcase her independence. You could even go the full distance on your own if you prefer.

• Change up your music. Changing your music is one of the best creative ideas to walk down the aisle in style. The right tune encapsulates the relationship you and your partner have. Good music also gives you more confidence, so you can focus on enjoying the moment, rather than staying in time to the wedding march. Just like your first dance music, this song should be something you and your partner both love.

• Hire some amazing animals. If making a little change to the wedding march isn’t your style, turn the moment on its head entirely. These days, you can hire llamas and other animals to walk down the aisle with you or have an outdoor wedding when you’re led to your groom on a horse. You could start the march by having birds fly down the aisle before you, as long as they’re well-trained.

• Change the walk to something new. Who said you have to walk down the aisle? If you and your partner are light on your feet, why not dance down the aisle with some awesome choreography? If you’re thrill-seekers, you can race down the aisle on a scooter or moped. If your dress is short enough, you could even rollerblade to your fiancé. Just have a pair of beautiful wedding shoes waiting at the altar too.

• Forget the walk to the aisle. For many people, the walk down the aisle will feel like a mandatory part of the ceremony – but it doesn’t have to be. If you and your partner feel uncomfortable being in the spotlight for so long, meet each other before the guests start piling in. You can still have your favorite song playing as your guests find their seats. Take this moment to give each other confidence with whispered words of love.

5 Great Tips For Walking Down The Aisle

Figuring out some creative ideas to walk down the aisle with is only the first step. Once you find creative ideas that work for you, it’s time start planning your walk. If you’re one of the many brides who sits up at night, haunted by visions of tripping, stumbling, or otherwise embarrassing yourself on the aisle, preparation is key.

Changing up your wedding march routine should give you a little extra confidence when you’re approaching your hubby. The following tips for walking down the aisle will also help.

• Pick the right shoes: Choosing the right wedding shoes to walk down the aisle in ensures you’ll have the stability you need to avoid tripping. Don’t make the mistake of picking shoes that leave you in agony, or you won’t enjoy the walk.

• Manage your time carefully. Start using your favorite relaxation techniques as early as possible on your wedding day. The more organized you are, the less likely you are to feel flustered and panicked by the time you reach the aisle walk. Look for ways to minimize your stress however you can, so you can maintain your calm and grace.

• Take a minute before the walk: This is your day, so don’t allow anyone to rush you into anything. Take a moment to breathe deeply and center yourself before the walk. This could be the perfect time for a hug and pep talk from the person who’s going to walk you down the aisle. You might even just want a moment to yourself.

• Embrace the anxiety: There’s nothing wrong with being anxious on your wedding day – as long as you don’t let it overwhelm you. Embrace the jitters and remind yourself that your spouse-to-be is going to be waiting at the other end of the aisle to hold your hands and make everything better.

• Avoid the alcohol: It’s tempting to give yourself some liquid courage when you’re nervous about walking down the aisle, but a few drinks may make you more unsteady on your feet. Drinking also means you’re more likely to be less “present” in the moment, which means fewer amazing memories later on.

Modern Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Music is an excellent way to give yourself confidence and strength when you’re walking down the aisle, so experiment with some great songs.

• At Last – Etta James: One of the most beautiful love songs in history, this tune mixes traditional romance with a touch of modern freshness.

• Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole: A little fun for those who want to envision their amazing life with their partner after the wedding.

• Lucky - Jason Mraz Ft Colbie Caillat: Bring a touch of vibrancy to the wedding march with a song that’s all about loving your best friend.

• Marry You – Bruno Mars: Easily one of the most perfect songs for a modern wedding, Marry You is perfect for dancing down the aisle to.

• Tale As Old As Time – Beauty And The Beast: This is a great choice of tune if you’re looking for something to show off your inner child (and love of Disney).

• How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding: An instant wedding classic, this song by Ellie Goulding is sure to give your whole wedding party goosebumps.

• Halo – Beyonce: Show off your inner diva with the Queen B. Beyonce’s Halo is great for anyone with a love of epic pop music.

• A Million Love Songs – Take That: If you’re a fan of boybands, this song is a testament to all things romantic, with a fantastic pop vibe.

• Heaven – Dj Sammy: Though a little faster paced than most wedding march songs – this tune has all the right notes for a fun and vibrant wedding.

• Nothing’s Going To Stop Us Now – Starship: We love this song for its message. If you’re looking for a tune that highlights your commitment to your partner, this is it.

• A Thousand Years – Christina Perri: You don’t have to be a fan of Twilight to love this song – A Thousand Years gets people signing along every time.

• Can’t Help Falling In Love – Elvis: This is a classic for any amazing wedding. You can even switch things up with the Twenty-One Pilots version.

• God Only Knows – The Beach Boys: Played at countless weddings around the world (especially since the movie, Love Actually), this is a great song for getting toes tapping.

• Don’t Stop Believing’ – Journey: A celebration of the power of love, and how important it is to keep believing in your happily ever after.

• Kiss Me – Sixpence None The Richer: This is a fun song with a great beat and a romantic vibe. We think it’d be a great for a retro themed wedding.

• Truly, Madly, Deeply – Savage Garden: Another instant classic in the love song landscape, Truly, Madly, Deeply will fill your heart with joy as you walk down the aisle.

• A Moment Like This – Kelly Clarkson: There’s something about this song that always seems to give us goosebumps. Kelly Clarkson knows how to sing a ballad.

• Don’t Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith: Make sure you have tissues at the ready if you choose this song – it always seems to get us choked up.

• One Love – Bob Marley: Get your groove on with a Bob Marley song at your wedding – this will be a great choice for a beach affair.

• Chapel Of Love- The Dixie Cups: Bring the joy of the swinging sixties into your wedding with a fun and upbeat song for your march.