'The Seating of the Mothers' traditionally begins the wedding ceremonial procession down the aisle to their designated seats of honor.
With blended families, the seating has become more complicated. In the case of step mothers it is not as common for them to proceed down the aisle unless they have had a hand in raising the bride or groom, or are thought of as an honorary mother. Taking into consideration that all family dynamics are different, one must decide if it is best for his or her family to have their step mother partake in the Seating of the Mothers.
In the blended family processional, the step mother is escorted down the aisle in front of the biological mother. The mother of the bride is always the last person to be seated. This signals that the ceremony is about to begin and that no other guests may be seated or escorted to their seats through the center aisle.
Ceremony Seating image by Kevin Kramer Advantage Photography.
Ceremony Seating Protocol For The Mothers
The Order Of The Ceremonial Procession
In all weddings the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom have a designated role of honor in the wedding ceremony processional. 
The following is the general protocol for the Ceremonial Procession in order:
The Step Mother of the Groom can be escorted down the aisle by:
The father of the groom.
An usher.
An usher with the father of the groom following behind them.
The Step Mother of the Bride can be escorted down the aisle by:
The head usher.
A groomsman.
Other family member.
The Mother of the Groom
is traditionally escorted down the aisle by the father of the groom. She may also be escorted by the head usher or the groom himself. If remarried, the current husband may choose to follow behind his wife, or escort her to her seat himself.
The Mother of the Bride
is escorted down the aisle by the best man, or other family member. If remarried, the current husband may choose to follow behind his wife, or escort her to her seat himself.
Seating of the Mothers image by Kevin Kramer Advantage Photography.
Protocol for Rolling Out Aisle Runners
Aisle Runners have been used from the beginning of time and are steeped in folklore and mythology.
Long ago, when streets were unpaved and muddy, guests would arrive tracking dirt and mud into the church. Not wanting the bride to drag her hem along the grime, an aisle runner was laid down the pathway to the altar.
According to a Spiritual Myth, it was believed that evil spirits lurked beneath the earth’s surface. Fearing these spirits would rise up through the floor boards of the church, an aisle runner was placed upon the floor for the couple to walk on protecting them from those spirits. The white runner symbolized a pathway of purity.
Recently I was asked to explain the proper protocol for rolling out an aisle runner. Depending on the type and purpose of your aisle runner, the protocol will vary.
If you have chosen a custom hand painted aisle runner as part of your ceremony décor, your intention is to draw attention to the path you will walk down to take your vows. It is the focal point of your entrance, and should be unrolled and put in place after the floral decor is complete.
I recommend that you rope off your center aisle with beautiful satin ribbon or chiffon fabric and instruct your ushers to seat guests from the side aisles. After all, the center aisle should be sacrosanct for the bridal party only. Make sure your wedding photographer takes an image of it and don't forget to assign someone to roll it up and remove it. You want to make sure it gets safely delivered back to you.
A simple runner requires less organization. It should be placed in front of the ceremony site and should remain unrolled until all the close family members have been ushered to their seats. Once the mother of the bride has been escorted to her seat, no other guests may be seated using the center aisle. The runner should then be unrolled by an assigned ushers or groomsmen as an indication that the ceremony is about to begin. When the aisle runner has been unrolled to the entrance way, this could be the cue for the entrance music to begin.
Who Will Walk You Down The Aisle?
In marriage, this is a tradition that was pretty much set in stone when families were a simple defined unit. The biological father always knew that this would be his pleasure one day. As family dynamics have changed we now have to meld the idea of tradition with the realities of our current lifestyle.
After all, this is 'your wedding' and rules can be broken. What we don't want to break is someone else's heart who may be dreadfully hurt by your decision. This is a time for happiness and creativity when it comes to applying etiquette and protocol.
Here are a few suggestions in order of preference:
Your biological father who has been dreaming of this day.
Both your father and your stepfather.
Your stepfather, if your biological father is not available.
A brother, significant family member or close friend.
A bride also has alternative options to walk alone, be escort by her mother or have both parents do the honors. Now here is where it can get tricky. It is not recommended that both parents escort the bride if they have been divorced and remarried. If they are divorced and have not been remarried, it may still be better for the bride to choose another option. Of course, this is where creativity comes into play. Innately you know what will feel right. Walking down the aisle is about making memories. Make sure your choices are created out of love, affection and sensitivity.
Photography by The Luxurious Wedding Photography Team.