Car Etiquette

Where does the bride's mother sit?

The bride's mother should sit in the front of the wedding car with the bridesmaids occupying the rear seats. On arrival at the church the chauffeur will open the doors and assist you from the car.

Who goes and in what order to the church?
The bridesmaids usually meet at the house of the bride beforehand.
When it is time to go to the church, the bride’s mother drives away in the first car, usually alone, or she may, if she chooses, take one or two bridesmaids in her car, but she must reserve room for her husband who will return from the church with her. The maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girls go in the next vehicles, which may be their own or else are supplied by the bride’s family; and last of all, the bride’s wedding car.

The bride drives to the church with her father only.

If she has no father, this part is taken by an uncle, a brother, a cousin, her guardian, or other close male / female connection of her family. The bride's car arrives last and stands in front of the church until she and her husband return from the wedding ceremony and drive to the reception venue for the breakfast or reception.

Where does the bride sit?
The bride sits in the rear of the car on the same side that she will exit the car.

What is the order of arrival at the church?
Wedding guests should arrive at the church before the bride's mother and the bridesmaids. They should be seated before the arrival of the bridal car. The bridesmaids should be waiting outside the church for the bride.

Who gets out of the wedding car first on arrival?
The chauffeur will exit the car and let the bride's father or person giving the bride away first. The Chauffeur will then assist the bride from the car at which point the father or person giving the bride away will accompany the bride for the classic "arrival photograph". The bridesmaids then assist the bride at this point with the wedding dress and train as she and her father approach the church.

Who leaves the wedding first?
Usually, the bridal wedding car followed by guests leaving for the reception first so that the bride and groom arrive in time to welcome their guests.

The best man should escort the bride and groom into their car.

The bride’s car leaves first, then the bridesmaids car, then the bride’s mother and father, then the groom’s mother and father, then the nearest members of both families, and finally all the other guests in the order of their being able to find their vehicles.