In the current Rite of Marriage, the only two options are bride and groom entering together, or the groom entering with his parents and the bride entering with hers. The cross always leads (although I don't know if this changes with incense), and I believe the priest always comes last. I don't have my book in front of me, but the Rite of Marriage has the specifics.

the bride is me, and the priest is willing to do whatever I want, especially if it's how it's *suppposed* to be done. ;-)

Don't have reference books handy, but a quick note to say that you should clarify whether a) this is a Novus Ordo wedding or a '62 Wedding and b) whether there will be a Mass or just the wedding ceremony (with liturgy of the word).

Also, as principal celebrants, they go last- not the priest:

"If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses. Meanwhile, the entrance song is sung" (#20)

Not pertaining to the procession, but I recently learned the new edition of the Missal calls for the Gloria at all weddings (in appropriate seasons). When my wife and I were married in 2006, we had a Saturday afternoon Mass, and had the Gloria - Durufle's setting of the Cum Jubilo Mass - just because we had the musician-friends there to do it. Little did we know we were in line with the Latin edition of the 2002 Missale Romanum!

I found the "official" text:

"At the appointed time, the Priest, vested for Mass, goes with the ministers to the door of the church or, if more suitable, to the altar. There he meets the bride and bridegroom in a friendly manner, showing that the Church shares their joy.
Where it is desirable that the rite of welcome be omitted, the celebration of marriage begins at once with the Mass.
If there is a procession to the altar, the ministers go first, followed by the priest, and then the bride and the bridegroom. According to local custom, they may be escorted by at least their parents and the two witnesses."

I suggest not having bridesmaids and groomsmen though - if they're not very Catholic and dignified, they won't act appropriately and will detract from the sacredness of the ceremony (think big glimmering smiles and waving to friends as they walk down the aisle). You can have two folks who will be assigned as witnesses who can witness from the front row of the church. This also avoids having to "pick" a best man and maid of honor. Ditto to the parents walking you in - I know it's most father's dreams to walk their daughter in, but there's nothing that takes away from the profoundness of the moment than the symbolism of a father giving his daughter away in exchange for some goats.

Also, I discourage brides carrying flowers. I mean, have you ever seen a bride able to capably maneuver around and keep track of where her bouquet is? It's drama in every wedding I've ever played - and that's hundreds and hundreds. It's the main reason to have a maid of honor: keeping track of where the bride has set her bouquet of flowers that always look like they were at their peak a few hours earlier.

I also discourage long, elaborate trains. Again, they can be pretty, but they're a pain in the neck to deal with. They must be constantly adjusted - and if you're sitting and not just kneeling, you require an attendant there to make sure it doesn't look all kittywampus in all the photos. There's nothing that takes away from the dignity of a chanted First Reading than a bridesmaid crawling around on the floor trying to straight a train that is mangled from the bride sitting down haphazardly.

I also suggest a black mantilla instead of a veil. It offers some contrast to the white dress and is more likely to stay put.

An interesting point here is that the Rites make it clear that Bride and Groom are treated as a pair. The wedding is not about the Bride (or her mother), but rather about the couple and, through their example of love and commitment, about God's love for us.

Yes, the couple, as principal ministers, are last in the procession. This is how I have seen it done, when done the right way, in the postconciliar rite.

oh- Adam Wood, could you clarify what you said-

The Bride processing with the Groom waiting is a remnant of a "Transactional" view of marriage. (As is the veil and the "giving away" of the Bride).

The Rite of Marriage is clear that the Bride and Groom are the principal celebrants of the marriage sacrament (they marry each other, they are not married by the priest), and as such they should both process, preferably together.

did you intend to say "the bride processing with *her father*..." ?

And obviously the groom would pay the father several goats in exchange for him giving his daughter up...

We did have one issue with this - my wife's father had dreamed of walking her down the aisle for years. So, 5 minutes before the ceremony, she walked him down and seated him to a lovely choral prelude piece. Then she walked back to the back and we waited for the procession to come back and "greet" us.

Also, St. Joseph in Detroit has a policy in place that couples are not to "hide" from each other before the Nuptial Mass to satisfy superstitions. My wife and I stood at the door together, greeted our guests and handed out the Mass's worship aid, which was actually a book we published on lulu.

This has been a very fun thread - I really enjoy discussing the reformed Nuptial Mass when it is done properly... I've never actually been able to talk any couples into doing things "the right way," though.

great quote!

Also, St. Joseph in Detroit has a policy in place that couples are not to "hide" from each other before the Nuptial Mass to satisfy superstitions. My wife and I stood at the door together, greeted our guests ...

I'm going to try and use some of that wording to explain it to certain people!