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The Top 7 Most Frequently Asked Aisle Runner QuestionsBy: Cathy Ward
Published: 07/30/09 |
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There comes a point in the planning of every wedding when the big issues have been decided. The cake has been ordered, the bridesmaids have relented on their dresses, the groom has been chosen. However, numerous little details can continue to haunt you right up to your wedding day. Should the mini bubble bottles be tied with pink ribbons? Should there be crayons for the kids? Should I use an aisle runner?
The aisle runner. It's such a simple concept, but behind its innocent exterior lurks a host of troubling questions that may not even occur to you until your wedding day, when the last thing you have time to do is worry about aisle runners for weddings or anything else. To help you deal with unexpected problems before the excitement of your ceremony, we've created a list of the seven most common aisle runner questions and some useful answers. Consider this a preemptive strike against aisle runner disaster.
Do I have to have an aisle runner?
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Many brides choose to use unique aisle runners for weddings, but it's not necessary. Historically, aisle runners evolved from the necessity of keeping the bride's dress clean. Guests tended to track dirt and mud into the church from unpaved roads. Aisle runners also served as protection from evil spirits, which were believed to live beneath the surface of the earth and could rise up through the floorboards to possess the bride. These evil spirits were attracted to her purity.
While today's bride may not be concerned about muddy floors or evil spirits, an aisle runner does add a regal atmosphere and is a staple of many classic weddings. However, if you are planning an outdoor wedding or a simple wedding, your guests won't question its absence.
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To have or not to have an aisle runner -- the choice is all yours.
When and how do I use my aisle runner?
Aisle runner etiquette is flexible: When you lay out your aisle runner depends on the type of runner you have. Some couples choose a decorative unique aisle runner to grace their path. These runners are often hand-painted or feature other designs, and are meant to be enjoyed by the guests. A decorative aisle runner should be placed on the aisle after the rest of the decorating has been completed, but before the guests arrive. Ushers should be directed to seat guests from the sides of the aisles instead of the center to avoid traffic on the runner. To help keep guests off the runner, some couples even opt to rope off the center aisle with ribbons.
If you are using a plain, single-colored aisle runner for your wedding and don't intend for it to be a focal point of your decorations, simply tape the end of the aisle runner to the floor near the altar, but leave it rolled. After the guests have been seated, and the mother of the bride has taken her place, have two groomsmen unroll the aisle runner. This will serve as a sign to guests that the wedding is about to begin.
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What are some possible mistakes I might make with my aisle runner?
You will first want to be careful that unrolling the aisle runner doesn't interrupt the flow of your wedding. Some couples unroll their runner before the bride walks down the aisle, but after the rest of the bridal party has already passed. This can build anticipation for the bride's appearance, which is fine, but if you had planned for a smooth and continuous procession this will create an unnecessary lull.
Others neglect to firmly tape their aisle runner to the floor, creating a runaway runner that can trip up members of the procession. If you steer clear of these simple errors, your wedding aisle runner experience should go much more smoothly.
Is it possible to have other aisle runner mishaps?
Yes. You should be aware that aisle runners and high heels aren't compatible. The wrong combination of aisle runner material and heels can result in you or your bridesmaids' shoes getting entangled in the aisle runner, causing problems for the procession or detracting from the regal look you've created.
Aisle runners for weddings were traditionally made of cloth, which is still ideal for its durability. Cloth aisle runners, however, are generally cost prohibitive, which has led to the rise of rayon fabric aisle runners as reliable alternatives. Rayon's tear resistant qualities make it an excellent aisle runner fabric, but even this won't completely prevent a mishap. Any material will tear in the wrong circumstances; sharp heels can puncture any fabric, and even heavy cloth runners can bunch up and snag a high heel. For your safety and the safety of your bridal party, consider wearing wide-based heels or slippers if you plan to use an aisle runner.
The surface your aisle runner is placed on is also important. For outdoor weddings on the grass, a solid surface such as plywood should be positioned underneath the runner to prevent heels from puncturing the fabric. For indoor weddings you should note that smooth surfaces such as linoleum or hardwood floors can be especially dangerous because the runner will slip and slide. For those surfaces, use a cloth or non-slip runner. Also, all aisle runners should be taped down if possible. A special extremely adhesive double-sided tape is available from your florist for this purpose.
In addition to being wary of your heels, your aisle runner material, and the surface of your floor, there is one more precaution you and your procession can take before venturing down the aisle: look before you step. Simply being aware of where the aisle runner is in relation to your feet can do a world of good when it comes to making it safely to the altar.
How do I decide on the length of my aisle runner?
This is a good question because at first glance it seems fairly self-explanatory -- your aisle runner should be as long as your aisle. However, your aisle runner should in fact be slightly longer than the length of the aisle. For example, if your aisle is fifty feet long, you should use a 75 foot aisle runner. This probably seems counterintuitive, but there is a reason behind it. The extra material not only helps weigh down the rest of the aisle runner and keep it in place, it also prevents one of the edges from "curling" back down the aisle. Your aisle runner should be rolled out as far as it as needs to be with the extra left on the roll to weigh it down.
Of course, if your leftover aisle runner ends in a place where members of the bridal party or even the guests could trip over it, you will have to cut the runner and thoroughly tape the edge down. Be extra careful about stepping over this loose edge as it could get caught up in dresses or shoes and end up accompanying you or your bridal party down the aisle. It might help to have someone pick up your train and lay it behind you to keep the runner from rolling up under your dress.
Every venue is unique, so be sure you measure the lengths for your aisle runner well in advance of your wedding day.
What is the wedding processional order for my bridal party?
This is a complicated question. The wedding processional order can vary by location, culture, and even by personal preference. In England the bride leads the bridesmaids portion of the bridal party procession, while in America the bridesmaids lead the bride. In some European countries the bride and the groom walk down the aisle together, escorted by their families. In Scotland the bridal procession is led by a piper.
In a traditional American wedding procession order, the groom and best man will wait at the altar. The groomsmen will escort both sets of grandparents and mothers to their seats, and then escort the bridesmaids to the altar. The bridesmaid who will stand the farthest from the bride should walk down the aisle first. The maid of honor follows the bridesmaids and often walks alone, although the best man can escort her. The ring bearer walks next and is either followed by the flower girl or walks with her. Then the bride walks down the aisle with her father or another escort. To see a full breakdown of wedding processions by denomination and for tips for dealing with etiquette and common issues, read our complete Wedding Processional Guide!
What do I do with my aisle runner after the ceremony?
After the ceremony, simply ask one or two of the groomsmen to roll up the aisle runner and set it aside. This will ensure that none of your guests trip over it, especially if they happen to be wearing high heels. Your leftover aisle runner can be discarded or it can be kept as a reminder of your wedding day. Some couples even choose to recycle their aisle runner in creative ways, such as using it as a table covering at picnics or to keep frost off their gardens. Finding unique and inventive uses for your aisle runner after the wedding can be a pleasant reminder of your wedding memories and it's good for the environment!
Hopefully, these answers have covered some of the basics of your aisle runner questions, leaving you to concentrate on other concerns, such as where you're going to find something old or something blue, or what sandals you should take on your honeymoon. The questions surrounding aisle runners and weddings and everything in between are endless, but worth it. Good luck!
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