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Lynnie
WeddingWire Admin October 2016 North Carolina

Doing or Ditching: Bride standing on the left side?

Lynnie, on April 1, 2019 at 09:05 Posted in Wedding ceremony 0 43

Traditionally, the bride stands on the left side of the altar for the wedding ceremony so that the groom can keep his sword arm free in case he needs to fight for his bride! Thankfully attempts at stealing the bride seem to be a thing of the past, but brides still keep up the tradition of standing on the left side.

Which side are you going to stand on for your wedding ceremony? If you’re a same-sex couple, how are you deciding which side to stand on?


Doing or Ditching: Bride standing on the left side? 1

Photo from Cecil Green Park House in Vancouver


Next Question: Are you ditching the traditional wedding party?

Back to the Beginning: Which wedding traditions are you ditching?

43 Comments

Latest activity by Candace, on April 7, 2019 at 11:59
  • Candace
    VIP May 2019 Ontario
    Candace ·
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    We never even thought of switching this up so we are keeping it! It's interesting how all those traditions started.

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  • Allen
    Devoted April 2019 Ontario
    Allen ·
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    Definitely keeping. Hopefully my right side of my face is a good one angle
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  • Terresa
    Curious October 2019 British Columbia
    Terresa ·
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    Doing, but to the left of the officiant, at the centre of the circle of our friends and family.

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  • Summer
    Devoted May 2019 Ontario
    Summer ·
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    I never thought about this but yes the girls are on the left side
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  • BunnyBride
    Super August 2334 Nova Scotia
    BunnyBride ·
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    I didn't even know this was still a tradition...I don't think we will actively ditch or do this. It'll more depend on the layout of space once all the final details are squared away (A.K.A whether the weather is poop and we have to move inside)

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  • Samantha
    Curious June 2019 Ontario
    Samantha ·
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    Wow didn’t even think about this! But I’m thinking standing on the left , as it seems like the norm!
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  • Kaisha
    Super March 2019 Nova Scotia
    Kaisha ·
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    We chose sides based on where the ramp was, it left a nice spot for my dress to lay.

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  • Geneviève
    VIP September 2020 Ontario
    Geneviève ·
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    I hadn't even thought about this! With both brides, I think we'll just flip a coin or something

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  • Allison
    Frequent user June 2019 Ontario
    Allison ·
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    I think we will stick with it too, my FH feels it would look odd if we changed things up.

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  • Amanda
    Super June 2019 Ontario
    Amanda ·
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    Haven't given any thought to this at all. We are both brides. We will stand where we end up

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  • Robyn
    Super June 2019 Ontario
    Robyn ·
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    Doing this one, just because it's what everyone expects to see, so if we changed it, I think it would look a bit odd.

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  • Maegan
    Frequent user August 2021 Ontario
    Maegan ·
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    Doing this one! Didn't know it was tradition, this way just looks right to me
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  • Rachael
    Super October 2019 Ontario
    Rachael ·
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    I didn't know this was a thing, but we'll likely do this.

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  • Alexandra
    VIP November 2019 British Columbia
    Alexandra ·
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    We will, just to keep it easy. I think everyone naturally goes that way so why not?
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  • Leah
    VIP April 2019 British Columbia
    Leah ·
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    Ummm. Tbh we don’t know and won’t figure it out until the rehearsal
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  • Erin
    Super May 2022 Ontario
    Erin ·
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    We will be following suit, only because I can't really picture it the other way, also no reason not too stand on the left.

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  • Amanda
    Frequent user October 2019 Ontario
    Amanda ·
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    Wow I had no idea this was a thing. But so interesting that the bride stands on the left just in case he needs to whip out the sword!

    I'm just going to stand wherever my priest tells me to.
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  • Lydia
    Devoted June 2019 British Columbia
    Lydia ·
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    Haha i wasn't actually even aware that this was a thing that was needed / tradition. Especially with that being the reason (we do swordfighting Smiley xd) we'll keep that (but we probably did it anyways since that's what you always see)
    We don't have sides for the guests though
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  • Stephanie
    VIP May 2019 Ontario
    Stephanie ·
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    Doing! Just because I think it's standard more than anything? I think???? Is there something to this?

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  • Janaya
    Expert August 2019 Saskatchewan
    Janaya ·
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    I didnt know this was a tradition, but yes, this is how we will stand

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  • Casey
    Master October 2019 Ontario
    Casey ·
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    We have not gotten this far into the planning yet. I am sure when it comes down to the rehearsal with our Officiant he will let us know!

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  • Michelle
    Expert April 2019 Alberta
    Michelle ·
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    I'll stand on the left- it is what I am used to seeing!

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  • Jenn
    Frequent user April 2019 Saskatchewan
    Jenn ·
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    View quoted message
    Definitely doing! And for the same reason. My FH couldn't imagine being up there on the wrong side! Smiley winking
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  • Caitlyn
    Super January 2020 Ontario
    Caitlyn ·
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    We'll be doing this because we both like the reasoning behind it of having the bride on the left so the groom's sword hand is ready. He's a big fantasy fan and I'm a Disney/fairytale fan.

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  • Meghan
    Devoted April 2019 Ontario
    Meghan ·
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    We are unintentionally doing this...its habit for me to always be on that side of him...on the couch, in bed, etc

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  • Stephanie
    Master July 2018 Alberta
    Stephanie ·
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    We did this. Didn’t know it was a tradition, it’s just how we stood during rehearsal.
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  • Kassandra
    Frequent user May 2020 Alberta
    Kassandra ·
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    Doing this one 😊
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  • Bianca
    Master August 2019 Ontario
    Bianca ·
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    Doing. In my head this is the way it's been, so this is how we're having it.

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  • Allison
    Master October 2019 Ontario
    Allison ·
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    I didn't know this was a thing, but now that I think about it, all the wedding photos I see are the bride on the left (with opposite-sex weddings).

    I kind of want to do the opposite of the tradition, since my FH and I are both left-handed so his sword arm is technically his left lol.

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  • Holly
    VIP June 2019 Ontario
    Holly ·
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    I did not know this was a thing and I have no idea...
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  • Seleena
    Super September 2019 British Columbia
    Seleena ·
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    I think I will actually do this one. My right side is my “good side” anyways haha
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  • K
    Expert September 2018 British Columbia
    Kim ·
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    I didn't know there were "proper" sides, but it turned out we stuck with tradition without even knowing we were doing it!

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