My Gripe with Aisle Runners

This isn't my normal type of blog topic, but I have to vent a little. I HATE HATE HATE aisle runners in a wedding. There's so much to consider that most don't even realize. When does it get rolled out? Who rolls it out? Who should walk on it? They're such a P.I.T.A. quite honestly and there are so many other creative ways to decorate or signify an aisle. I thought that I had one at my wedding, but I had to look at the pictures to see if I was the only one who walked on it or if the bridal party walked on it too. It appears that I was the only one and look how wrinkled it was! If I hadn't been barefoot because my shoe broke, I'm sure I would have tripped and fallen on my face. And why in God's name did I have an aisle runner outdoors? I'm thinking it was to avoid an inevitable fight with my mother. Had the "aisle" been on the grass I think it would have been completely pointless. Had I been wearing heels, they would have likely gone right through it.

If brides ask me about an aisle runner, even in a church, I advise against it. There's always confusion as to first, when it gets rolled out. Well that depends on who you want to walk on it: the entire bridal party or just the bride. Then there's the debate about who rolls it out. You can have your ushers (or wedding coordinator) roll it out before guests arrive if you want the bridal party to walk on it. In this case, guests should be escorted to their seats on the outer aisles of the church instead of the center aisle where the runner will be. Or you can have two groomsmen roll it out after the mothers walk down the aisle. Then the darn things never stay put and I usually end up having to pin them to the carpet (if the church is carpeted). If not, plan to bring the heavy duty industrial tape to keep the runner taped to the floor.

I've literally woken up in a panic over these things.

Bottom line: aisle runners are usually more hassle than they're worth. Let's work together to try to find a creative and more manageable alternative!