trip down the aisle

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How to Walk Down the Aisle

Last Updated: November 26, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Karen Brown . Karen Brown is the Founder and Creative Director of Karen Brown New York, a full service event planning company. Karen has planned hundreds of successful weddings, corporate parties, award ceremonies, product launches, galas, and fundraisers over the past decade throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. This article has been viewed 79,723 times.

The walk down the aisle is one of the most beautiful and exciting moments of your big day, but it can seem daunting. If you’re worried about tripping or messing up your walk, you can ease your fears by practicing the walk ahead of time. With a little effort, your trip down the aisle will look absolutely flawless!

Organizing Your Processional

• If you only want to have 1 song play for the processional, be sure to let the venue know that they don’t need to change the music for the end of the processional.
• For a more traditional wedding, or one that is based on a religious ceremony, consult with the church or your officiant to clarify your options for processional music. Normally, there will be a list of songs that you can choose from.
• Don’t forget to choose a song for the recessional, which signifies the end of the ceremony. Look for an upbeat and fun song to get the party started before the reception!

• If the mother of the bride is escorting the bride down the aisle or won’t be at the wedding, you can start the processional with the parents of the other partner, the grandparents of the couple, or the officiant of the wedding.

• The maid of honor and best man are normally the last pairing of the wedding party to walk down the aisle.

• Often, the officiant of the wedding and the first partner will enter together and walk to the altar.

• Usually, the flower girl is the last one to walk before the bride, and she throws flower petals to line the aisle for the bride!
• If the ring bearer is too young to be trusted with the real rings, you can give him decoys to deliver to the groom at the altar.

• As you reach the end of the aisle, take your place at the altar with your partner, and look to the officiant to let them know that you’re ready to start the ceremony.

Walking as a Bride

• It’s okay if your practice aisle is a little shorter than your normal aisle. The important part is making sure that you’re balanced and confident as you’re walking!

• Be sure to practice going up and down stairs, which you may have to do to get to the location of the ceremony.
• If your wedding is outdoors, practice walking in your shoes on various surfaces. Be careful not to get them dirty, though!
• If you’re having trouble with walking in your heels, bring a backup pair with a shorter heel for the day of the wedding.

• You can practice your good posture in the mirror before the wedding to make sure you don’t look stiff.

• Your elbows should be directly parallel to the thinnest part of your waist to achieve the perfect look.

• If there’s a big height difference between you and your escort, you might ask them to wrap their arm around your back, instead of linking arms. This is more comfortable but is still endearing and provides support as you walk.
• Don’t be afraid to lean on your escort slightly if you need some support! That’s what they’re there for.

• Even if your music is extremely slow, try to walk at a medium pace. That way, you can enjoy the beautiful moment, but you aren’t stalling the ceremony.

• You can work with your seamstress to make sure that the hem of your dress falls at the right length for walking.
• If your dress is extra long, consider holding it up slightly in one of your hands while you walk. This gives a very “princess” look as you’re making your way to the altar!

• Smiling is also a great way to prevent yourself from crying before you get to the altar. If you’re an emotional person, try to avoid looking at people who are already crying. Your emotions will be running high, but remember this is a very happy moment!

• Some brides have two escorts, which is completely normal, especially in the US. In that case, turn to each of them individually at the end of the aisle and thank them with a hug or kiss.

Expert Q&A

• Be careful when walking, but don’t overthink it! Your guests will be able to tell if you’re anxious or scared of falling. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.brides.com/story/choosing-wedding-ceremony-song
• ↑ https://www.womangettingmarried.com/guide-wedding-processional-order/
• ↑ https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-processional-order-guide
• ↑ https://www.brides.com/story/what-to-practice-before-your-wedding
• ↑ https://www.brides.com/story/body-language-for-confidence-as-you-walk-down-the-aisle
• ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/wedding-ceremonies-8-tips-for

About This Article

To walk down the aisle as a bride, start by taking a few deep breaths so you're confident and relaxed. As you walk, stand up straight and hold your bouquet at your waist so that your arms and body create a diamond shape. Next, have your escort link their arm around yours so that you can still comfortably hold your bouquet. Then, walk slightly slower than you usually do and smile at your guests as you go by them. When you reach the end of the aisle, thank your escort with a hug before turning to the altar. For tips on how to use the hem of your dress to keep yourself from tripping, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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7 Things You Need to Do Right Before You Walk Down the Aisle

Make sure and do these things for a smooth walk down the aisle.

In order to let go of those worries, here are some last-minute items to check off your list before you head to the altar !

Related weddingwire articles.

10 Tips on How to Walk Down the Aisle

Learn how to walk down the aisle with confidence on your wedding day. Practice these tips and to shake wedding nerves and look incredible in your photos.

By Emily Forrest

It’s understandable to be nervous about walking down the aisle on your wedding day. No matter how much thought and work you put into the color palettes and flower arrangements , at that moment, all eyes are on you.

Although the following tips are meant to help you learn how to walk down the aisle properly during a traditional English white wedding , customs differ widely from one culture or religion to the next. These tips can help anyone preparing to take center stage stay calm and feel more comfortable throughout the ceremony.

1. Make Sure the Wedding Party Knows Their Part

The more bridesmaids and/or groomsmen you have in your wedding party, the more organized your wedding processional needs to be. If you each only have one or two people at your side, there is plenty of time for everyone to walk out individually. If you each have four or five people in your processional, pair them off to help move things along.

If you have a large wedding processional, consider sending the group out in two waves, one for each side of the aisle. They can walk in pairs if you need to save time. And don’t forget to plot out exactly where each person will stand. If need be, you can use place markers to make sure no one crowds the officiant during the wedding ceremony.

2. Practice Your Timing

Once you’ve chosen the processional music, whether it’s the classic “Wedding March” or something special to you, give it a few trial runs to get the timing down. A wedding processional usually lasts around three to four minutes, and timing for groups or individuals will vary depending on the size of your wedding party.

It shouldn’t take you any more than 30 to 45 seconds to walk down the aisle. That will allow enough time for everyone to enjoy the moment and for the photographer to get a few good snaps. It may help to count in your head as you time your steps.

The more you practice, the easier it will be to get through any anxiety that may come up on your wedding day.

3. Perfect Your Posture

If your clothing is flowy or heavy, or you’re not used to walking in the shoes you chose, it may be hard to stand up straight. You may also be tempted to look down at your feet. Your photos will look much better if you can maintain your posture while you walk.

The best way to keep your head level is to lift your chin and try to keep your earlobes in line with your shoulders. If you spend a lot of time looking down on your computer or phone, your neck muscles may not be used to it, but practicing every day will help.

Stand straight and tall. Push your shoulders back and keep them down. This will help you avoid hunching, especially if you’re holding a bouquet. As you walk, keep your knees bent and your feet shoulder-width apart. Tuck your tummy in to keep your core engaged and help you maintain.

4. Loosen Up

Focusing on your posture is important, but you don’t want to go rigid.

You should let your body move as naturally as possible. Keep anything you may be carrying—like a bouquet—a few inches in front of your stomach, but allow your arms to move some when you walk. And resist stiffening your neck to keep a veil or floral crown in place. Instead, look from side to side as you walk down the aisle and try to make eye contact with your guests as you go. (If eye contact is too much for you at the moment, you can look at people’s heads or shoulders.)

Even if you feel a little nervous, you will look more natural this way, and it will make a big difference in the photos and videos.

Hopefully, this will be a no brainer. If you are swept away in the moment, you will likely be unable to keep yourself from smiling, But if your nerves are getting the better of you, close your eyes and take a breath when your entrance song begins. Take a second to clear your mind before you start your walk. Relax your face and jaw muscles, and let your tongue lay slack in your mouth. Lift your eyebrows slightly, and think happy or goofy thoughts, or even something embarrassing, and smile. Small is better than big if you’re nervous, but don’t hold back once you start to feel it for real.

6. Lock Elbows With Your Escort

If your mom or dad, or anyone else special to you will be walking you down the aisle, have them lock elbows with you. If two people are walking you down the aisle, have them lock arms on either side of you. That way, you will be sure to start on the same foot as each other for a smooth walk.

If you are holding a bouquet, locking arms with your escort can also remind you to keep your flowers low. Not only will it be more flattering, but it will also make sure the camera can see your outfit.

7. Watch Your Step

No one wants to trip in the middle of their ceremony. If you are mindful of how you step, you can reach the end of the aisle without incident. However, you also need to be aware of what you are wearing and how it may interfere with your stride.

If you are wearing a long, flowy wedding dress, you can avoid stepping on it without having to look down at all. Each time you put your foot forward, your dress will move against the back of your leg. Wait until the hem of your dress hits your ankle before you take your next step, and you won’t have to worry about stepping on your dress.

If you aren’t a pro at wearing heels and decide to sport them for your marriage ceremony, you can get some practice in at home by walking around on the balls of your feet. This will strengthen your legs and ankles so you can stay steady on your feet. You should also break your shoes in before the ceremony.

8. Make Time for Yourself

When the big day arrives, take the time to eat breakfast and stay hydrated. You are much more likely to be stressed, woozy, or light-headed if you haven’t taken care of yourself all day. But even more essential is scheduling some time right before your grand entrance.

While you’ll likely want to make some last-minute touch-ups to your hair or makeup before you go down the aisle, give yourself at least 15 additional minutes to use the restroom, have a glass of water, and take some time to collect yourself right before the ceremony begins. If you’re jumping from one thing to the next all day, you’re more likely to be flooded with stress the moment all eyes are on you.

9. Don’t Skip the Dress Rehearsal

As much as you practice at home, you still need to do a run-through at the venue. Put on your song, make sure you have the timing right, and put on your best posture and smile. This will let you know precisely how far the walk will be and whether or not there’s anything that might trip you up.

It will also help you be aware of any bright lights that might be shining in your eyes, so you can be prepared to avoid any squinting or grimacing. The fewer surprises there are on the big day, the better.

10. Enjoy Yourself

If reading anything on this list made you even more worried than you were before, you can scratch it. After all, it’s your wedding . If you are having fun, it will show, and you won’t have to sweat the small stuff. All the work you put into wedding planning is finally paying off, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by having a great time and celebrating your commitment to each other.

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10 Best Tips to Walk Down the Wedding Aisle

The Internet is swamped with so many tips and tricks to have a fabulous wedding; however, there is hardly any information on how to walk down the wedding aisle with Pizzazz. Of course, every bride wants to

walk down the aisle in style. That’s why we are here to help you with some of the best tips to walk down the wedding aisle.

Take a look…

Table of Contents

Top 10 Tips To Walk Down The Aisle

• Walk Down the Aisle Solo
• Walk Down the Aisle Hand in Hand
• Dance Your Way In
• Meet at the halfway point
• Elegantly Hold Your Bouquet
• Walk Down The Aisle Normally
• The Right Posture Matters
• Acknowledge Your Guests While You Walk Down
• Walk with a Smile
• BONUS TIP #1
• BONUS TIP #2

1. Walk Down the Aisle Solo

You might prefer to walk down the aisle solo, which is OKAY, if you don’t have or if you’re not close to your parents or father, or if you don’t, you have anyone you consider suitable to walk you down the aisle. If you’re planning an intimate destination wedding ceremony in paradise, walking solo is ideal.

2. Walk Down the Aisle Hand in Hand

Nowadays, many couples prefer to have destination weddings. Typically, only close family and friends attend such weddings. Couples who don’t want a big ceremony can consider walking down the romantic aisle hand in hand can bring a romantic touch to your intimate wedding ceremony . Moreover, your videographer will also get to click on some fantabulous wedding moments.

3. Dance Your Way In

he best way to spruce up your wedding celebration is to dance your way in. You can have your entire wedding party, including you and your partner dancing down the aisle to your favorite songs! Not only will it add fun to your wedding, but also it’s a great way to add pizzazz to your wedding. All of your wedding guests would love to join in the fun by cheering, clapping, and laughing! Your wedding videographer will surely present you with an amazing wedding video with such a grand entry.

RELATED: 15 Best Wedding Aisle Decor Ideas to Embellish Your Ceremony

4. Meet at the halfway point

You two can meet in the middle of the aisle! This will be an extremely unique and very romantic way to walk down the aisle. Your guests would be enchanted to see you walking towards your partner. You can even consider sharing a kiss or a glass of wine at the meeting point.

5. Elegantly Hold Your Bouquet

To make a sophisticated entry, make sure to hold your bouquet by your pubes. To achieve that effect, make a diamond shape between each arm and your body. Your elbows should be directly across from the lower extremity of your waist.

6. Walk Down The Aisle Normally

When it comes to walking down the aisle, there are no hard and fast rules. In order to feel confident and comfortable while you walk down the aisle – walk normally – as you would walk anywhere else, albeit at a slightly slower pace. Walk to the beat of the music. However, make sure the music you choose is medium-paced.

7. The Right Posture Matters

Remember to keep your shoulders back as you walk down the aisle. It is critical for every bride to appear confident and at ease while walking down the aisle to the love of her life. Some brides simply hunch over, which detracts from their wedding photos and overall appearance.

8. Be Relaxed

You don’t have to walk down the aisle with your arms stiff or rigid. It’s simple: if you keep your arms stiff, you’ll appear stiff. So the goal is to relax in order to appear relaxed and cool.

9. Acknowledge Your Guests While You Walk Down

It’s perfectly acceptable to smile at your aunt, who traveled across the country to attend, or at a childhood friend you haven’t seen in years. Brides who stare straight ahead appear to be robots, which is not a good look. And believe me, you will love it when they all give you a happy look as you walk down the aisle to take the most significant step of your life.

10. Walk with a Smile

Last but not least, walk with a smile, it costs nothing! It can be intimidating to walk down the aisle with all eyes on you. The anticipation can be nerve-racking if you are a shy person. Fret not! All you have to do is to take a few deep breaths and relax, then smile and start walking. If you find trouble doing so, keep your focus on your Groom, Broom, or Partner ahead of you. They are sure to bring a smile to your face!

Wondering what’s more?

Well, here are some bonus tips to make your walk down the aisle extra special…

BONUS TIP #1. Practice Walking Before Your Wedding Day

If you’re intimidated by the thought of walking down the aisle, then it’s advised to practice it before the D day. Of course, there is a huge difference in practicing on normal days and walking down the aisle in actuality. However, it will give you some confidence in the run-up to your wedding. You can practice with your friends or loved ones. For instance, your mother, elder sister, or married friend can teach you some tricks and trips to help you feel confident as you walk down the aisle.

BONUS TIP #2. Choose A Music With Medium Pace

This is again crucial. You already know that you will need a piece of music running in the background. So it’s best to choose a piece of medium-paced music so that you can walk to the beats of the music. Music will help you boost, especially if you’re shy by nature or are nervous while walking down the aisle.

Putting it all together…

So there you have it, the top ten tips to walk down the wedding aisle. Hopefully, this post helped you get enlightened on ways to walk down the aisle in style at your wedding. Remember that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to walking down the aisle. You can come up with your own distinct ideas to make your walk as memorable as possible. What matters the most is your confidence and charm as you walk down to the love of your life.

Happy Wedding… ☺ ☺

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Image by Gaby Bolivar

Walking down the aisle is a momentous occasion in any wedding ceremony . It’s a symbolic journey that marks the beginning of a new chapter with the love of your life. Whether you’re walking with your parents, spouse, or best friend, there are lots of factors to consider to ensure that your entrance goes smoothly. From nailing the timing to focusing on your posture to giving yourself a moment to take a breath before the big moment, here are some tips for walking down the aisle, along with some different ways to walk down.

What is the Order of Walking Down the Aisle

The wedding processional is going to look a little different depending on how you set things up (which we will discuss shortly). However, traditionally, you will find that it typically goes mothers of the newlyweds, grandparents (if they are willing and able), the groom/first partner, wedding parties, best man and maid of honor , ring bearer and flower girl , and finally the bride/second partner. As we said, this order is not set in stone, so if you feel like mixing it up, go for it!

Image by Penelope Santana

Five Tips for Walking Down the Aisle

Timing is everything.

Timing is one of the most crucial aspects of walking down the aisle. Your entrance sets the tone for the entire ceremony , so it’s essential to plan accordingly. Before you can even walk down the aisle, it’s important to coordinate with your wedding planner to determine a start time for your ceremony. Of course, we’ll be the first to tell you that things may come up, and if your ceremony starts a few minutes late, that’s okay. It happens more often than you realize. 

Timing is also impacted by the music you choose for your wedding processional. Once you have your song picked out, don’t be afraid to practice in the comfort of your living room to ensure you nail the timing. The wedding processional typically takes about three to five minutes, with your walk taking anywhere from 30 to 45 seconds max. This gives you ample time to soak in the moment and take in your surroundings while your photographer snaps a few pics. The more time you practice at home, the more prepared you’ll feel.

Coordinating with the Wedding Party

Walking down the aisle involves more than just the couple tying the knot. There’s also the entire wedding party. The more people you have in your wedding parties, the more on top of timing you’ll have to be. This is why rehearsal dinners are so important for those who are in the wedding. Here, you’ll discuss the entrance order, practice the timing, and ensure the pace is comfortable for everyone involved.  If you’re having a flower girl and/or ring bearer, this rehearsal can also be extremely helpful in getting them comfortable with their roles.

Posture and Presence

We understand that you may be in attire that you’re not entirely used to. It’s not every day that you’re wearing wedding gowns or tuxes , after all. That’s why we recommend choosing attire you’re comfortable in–but that’s a whole different conversation. While you still may be adjusting to your clothing or shoes, maintaining the right posture goes a long way in exuding confidence and grace during your walk down the aisle. 

Many of us spend a lot of time looking down at computer or phone screens, so the idea of lifting your chin can feel somewhat foreign. Just like with the pacing, don’t be afraid to practice this posture at home. Imagine a string pulling you from the top of your head, with your shoulders back and down. As you walk, don’t be afraid to make eye contact with your loved ones in attendance. If this makes you too nervous, lock eyes with your spouse-to-be and use them as your anchor. 

Lastly, when it comes to your hands, keep them as relaxed and natural as possible. Luckily, if you’re holding a bouquet or the arm of a loved one, you have something to hold onto. Just be sure to avoid clenching anything you’re gripping too tightly, as it can make your hands appear tense in photos. If you’re locking elbows with anyone (such as your father, mother, or other family member/friend), use this to your advantage. It will ensure you start on the same foot and remind you to hold your bouquet low.

Watch Your Step

If you need to take it a little slower to prevent yourself from tripping over yourself, take that time. No one wants to trip in front of all of their guests. Just be mindful of every step that you take, and ensure that steps are taken before the wedding day (like proper alterations to your attire and breaking in your shoes), and you will have zero issues.

Enjoy a Slow Morning

A lot is going on the morning of your wedding. Between getting hair and makeup done, taking photos, getting dressed, and the nerves, it’s easy to skip over taking care of yourself. Slow down as much as possible to eat a hearty breakfast, drink plenty of water, and avoid too much alcohol. If you can, we recommend taking it a step further and enjoying some quiet time right before you walk down the aisle . Whether it’s to meditate, enjoy a moment of silence, run to the restroom, or soak up a moment with your parents, it can help you unwind a bit and keep you steady on your feet.

Image by Lite Weddings

Different Ways to Walk Down the Aisle

Depending on your relationship with the people accompanying you, there are various ways to approach your journey down the aisle.

Walking Down the Aisle with Family

Walking down the aisle with family members can be a touching and sentimental experience. It’s a way to honor and involve your loved ones in the ceremony. One tip for walking down the aisle with family is to choose the order carefully. Traditionally, the bride’s father walks her down the aisle, but there are no hard and fast rules. You can have both parents, a sibling, or a grandparent accompany you. It is important to communicate your wishes with your family members beforehand to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Walking Down the Aisle with Your Future Spouse

Walking down the aisle with your future spouse is a modern and increasingly popular choice. It symbolizes the equal partnership and shared journey that marriage represents. If you decide to walk down the aisle together , one tip is to synchronize your steps and pace. Practice walking together beforehand to ensure you are in sync. Consider adding a personal touch, such as holding hands or exchanging a few words as you approach the altar . This can create a beautiful and intimate moment between the two of you.

Walking Down the Aisle Solo

Walking down the aisle alone can be a powerful statement of independence and self-confidence. If you choose to walk alone, one tip is to practice your walk beforehand. This will help you feel more comfortable and confident on the big day. Another tip is to embrace the moment and enjoy the experience. Walking down the aisle solo allows you to fully take in the atmosphere and reflect on the significance of the occasion. Remember, this is your moment to shine, and you should walk proudly.

Walking down the aisle is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that deserves careful planning and consideration. While we know it can be stressful, keep these tips in mind, and you will be a-okay. If you’re still on the fence about what song to walk down the aisle to, fret not. We’ve rounded up 40 wedding songs to walk down the aisle to that will make your moment that much more unforgettable. 

Image by La Vie Studios  

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Meaning of go/walk down the aisle in English

Go/walk down the aisle.

• always a bridesmaid, never the bride idiom
• arranged marriage
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• diamond anniversary
• pop the question idiom
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• wedding dress
• wedding gown
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Word of the Day

have irons in the fire

to be involved with many activities or jobs at the same time or to make certain that there are always several possibilities available

Binding, nailing, and gluing: talking about fastening things together

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Definition of aisle

Examples of aisle in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aisle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Middle English ele, eill, ile, ilde "lateral division of a church on either side of the nave, usually divided from the nave by pillars," borrowed from Anglo-French ele, esle, aile, ile "wing, wing of a building, lateral division of a nave" (continental Old French ele "wing, wing of a building"), going back to Latin āla "wing" — more at ala

Note: The Middle English forms ile, ilde show assimilation to ile, ilde "island" (see isle entry 1 )—the rows on either side of the nave perhaps being thought of as isolated from the rest of the church—and effectively supplant ele, eill, etc. in the sixteenth century. The d in ilde is a secondary extrusion (compare mold entry 3 ). In early Modern English ile competes orthographically with a variety of other spellings, as ayle/aile, which appears to have regressed to the sense "wing" and adopted the Middle French spelling aile, an etymologizing variant of earlier ele ; and isle, which copies the spelling of isle entry 1 . The now standard spelling aisle looks like a merger of aile and isle. Samuel Johnson enters aisle in his dictionary (1755) with some reluctance: "Thus the word is written by [Joseph] Addison, but perhaps improperly; since it seems deducible only from either aile, a wing, or allée, a path; and is therefore to be written aile. " As Johnson was likely aware, aisle had developed a broadened sense "passage between pews in the middle of a church" that copies a now out-of-use sense of alley entry 1 . The still broader extensions "passage between seats in a train, bus or airplane" and "space between rows of items in a department store or supermarket" first appeared in American English.

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing aisle

• go down the aisle
• on the aisle
• walk down the aisle

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Cite this entry.

“Aisle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aisle. Accessed 21 Apr. 2024.

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Kids definition of aisle, more from merriam-webster on aisle.

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Wedding Ceremonies: 8 Tips for Walking Down the Aisle

By Meredith Bodgas

Since many of you picked up a tip or two from 6 Secrets to the Perfect Wedding Kiss , I thought I'd delve into another nerve-wracking part of the ceremony where all eyes are glued on you. Here's how to strut your stuff (without stumbling!) on your way to the altar.

Hold your bouquet lower than you think. When I tried on my wedding dress at Kleinfeld in NYC, the great Randy Fenoli of "Say Yes to the Dress" fame handed me a bouquet to practice holding. And then he told me something I'll never forget: "Think pubes, not boobs." It's true! Brides who hold their bouquets by their lady parts look way more sophisticated than the ladies who have em up by their chests. He also taught me to create a diamond shape between each arm and my body--your elbows should be directly across from the thinnest part of your waist to achieve that effect.

Have your escort lock arms with you . The gentlemanly thing to do is to let you place your arm wherever you'd like on your escort. But since you'll already be in position with your bouquet, ask whoever is walking you down the aisle to hook his arm into yours.

Keep your shoulders back. I was sooooo hunched over. I think it's because I was lifting my arms higher than was natural to meet my six-foot-tall dad's arm. Having my five-foot-five mom on my other side wasn't helping my posture (though I was happy to have her there!).

Loosen up. Don't feel like your arms should be completely rigid. (They shouldn't.) If you're stiff, you'll look stiff (uh, like I did!).

Smile! Somber brides always look like they're entering into marriage unwillingly, so show off those pearly whites and send the message to your guests that there's nothing else in the world you'd rather be doing (because isn't that true?).

Let your dress hit your ankle before you step down. What do I mean? When you stick out your foot to take a step, your dress will move back against your leg. If you wait til it hits, you'll never step on your dress. Yes, that's a lot to remember when you're making your way to your groom, so practice beforehand and it'll eventually become second nature--or just ask your seamstress to hem up a little higher than she normally would if you're as clumsy as I am (which is very).

Walk (almost) like you'd normally walk. The days of step-together, step-together for aisle strolls are long gone. So walk as you would anywhere else, only slightly slower. If the music you choose is medium-paced, feel free to walk to the beat. If it's extraordinarily slow, don't bother keeping pace; your trip down the aisle will last longer than your vows!

Acknowledge your guests. It's OK to smile right at your aunt who flew across the country to attend or your childhood friend you haven't seen in ages. Brides who stare straight ahead kind of have a part-robot, part-zombie (all I'm going to eat your brains) look. And let me tell you: You won't forget that amazing feeling you get when you check out all those happy people looking at you thinking they've never seen a more beautiful woman in their lives.

Are you going to practice your walk down the aisle? What other tips do you have for making the ceremony walk a success? Who do you think you'll look at as you make your way to the altar? (The sun was right in my eyes, so I couldn't really see Paul at the other end!)

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Tips for Walking Down the Aisle

Here are some tips for walking down the aisle and how to walk down the aisle at your wedding, from a wedding photographer who has seen about five hundred brides do it. Walking down the aisle may seem like the easiest thing in the world to do, but you and your bridesmaids will probably be very nervous on the day… so here are some tips from us to help you out.

1. Don’t stress about your page boys & flower girls

Whatever they do, it will be awesome and fun for everyone.

Who doesn’t love kids at weddings? Page Boys and Flower Girls are always a nice touch at a wedding and a great way to get your family directly involved on the day. They are cute, unpredictable and a real crowd-pleaser.

Don’t worry too much if you are not sure if they will walk down without an incident. Have them walk down together so they are more confident. And if they make it halfway down then turn back, just go with it, as everyone will laugh. Alternatively, you can have one of their parents or the Groom crouching down near the front so they have someone to walk to, or get one of the Bridesmaids to help them walk down.

Whatever they do, whether they cry, run away or walk down normally, it will be awesome!

2. Have a nice gap between bridesmaids 

Bridesmaids are your best friends and believe it or not, most will be very nervous as well. So tell them to take their time but also importantly, they should leave a nice big gap between each other. If they bunch up and walk too close to each other it can be really difficult to get a clear shot of them.

3. Take your time walking down the aisle

Don’t rush it… just walk normally. Not too fast and not too slow :)

Soak the moment in. It will give me plenty of time to get capture you and your Grooms expressions as you see each other for the first time.

One other thing I should mention is that you don’t need to do the whole step together, step together walk down the aisle. These days it just looks a bit unusual and is not necessary. Just take your time and soak it all in.

4. Don’t look at the camera.

Some ‘old school’ photographer may want you to look at the camera, but I don’t want you to. I want you to live in the moment and soak it in.

The wedding ceremony is all about the two of you, not the camera. So when you walk down the aisle don’t look at the camera. Concentrate on more important things, like looking at your Groom and all your family & friends smiling at you.

5. Walk down the aisle to the smiles of your family & friends, not a sea of phones & cameras.

Have an unplugged ceremony.

Your guests should be present and watching the ceremony, not trying to film or photograph it. Check out our other article about having an unplugged ceremony here .

6. Your Dad doesn’t have to be the only one to walk you down the aisle.

Most Brides will still get their Father to walk them down the aisle. And I think it’s a lovely tradition where the Dad is symbolically handing his daughter over to the Groom. But in this modern day where couples live together before marriage, and both parents have equally raised their daughter, there is no reason that both parents can’t walk their daughter down the aisle.

I am a father myself to two very young girls. And if or when they ever get married I would never just walk them down without my wife. It is a very old tradition which I personally think is very outdated.

Your Mum and Dad can walk you down the aisle.

For those brides who don’t have both parents, here are some other options that I have seen:

– Mum walks their daughter down the aisle.

– Brother walks his sister down the aisle.

– just the Bride walks herself down the aisle.

– the Bride walks halfway down and the Groom walks up to meet her and walks her the rest of the way.

– Step-Dad walks the Bride halfway down the aisle, shake hands with biological Dad who walks her the rest of the way.

7. Tell your videographer not to walk down with you.

This may seem like a strange point, and for most professional videographers it is fine. But there seems to be a worrying trend lately from a small minority of videographers where they following the Bride down the aisle from the front. 

You and your partner deserve to see each other walking down the aisle, not the back of some videographer.

So you have a videographer please request from them that they don’t walk down the aisle with you. 

8. Walk down however the hell you want!

It is your wedding! There are no rules.

Some well-meaning people may tell you that you have to do certain things because it’s a ‘wedding’. That is not true. 

Be true to yourselves. You don’t have to walk down seriously, with a great posture, holding your flowers at the right high, just in time with the music, with your dress perfectly place behind you.

Dance down the aisle, laugh down the aisle, hug family as you walk, blow kisses, cry, spin, sing!

So I hope these tips for walking down the aisle have been useful for you. Just be yourself,  have fun and live in the moment :)

Hey, I’m Adam. A wedding photographer who loves to shoot fun, relaxed couples in a natural and candid way.

I shoot weddings all over Australia, so if you are engaged and looking for a photographer, please check out my work. If you can see yourself in these photos, feel free to get in contact to check my availability. Thanks :)

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How to Find a Wedding Dress for Your Second Trip Down the Aisle

We spoke with a bridal fashion designer to help make this experience as easy as possible.

Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and makeup artist whose work has appeared on HelloGiggles, Slate, Elite Daily, and Bustle.

Photo by  Kyle John

In This Article

Life can take us on some unexpected twists and turns, leading some brides to embark on a second chapter of their love story. Whether it's a postponed wedding finally coming to fruition, another chance at everlasting love, or an intimate vow renewal ceremony on a significant anniversary, planning a second trip down the aisle is often more difficult than the first, particularly when it comes to finding a wedding dress. 

That's because second-chance brides are typically more sure of themselves and their place in the world, which is usually translated through a newfound sense of fashion. But even with the kind of self-assuredness that only comes with age and experience, finding a gown for your second wedding can still prove to be tricky. After all, no matter if you're getting married for the first or third time, wedding dress shopping is an experience that can often lead to a little bit of stress.

To help you navigate this journey, we spoke with a wedding dress designer to gather the most important information, practical advice, and realistic insight to make shopping for your second wedding dress a breeze. Read on to learn more.

Meet the Expert

Andrea Osei is the founder and CEO of Andrea Osei BRIDE , a luxury bridal brand based in the New York Metropolitan area. 

What to Know Before Wedding Dress Shopping Again

Shopping for a wedding dress conjures up a lot of feelings, especially if it’s your second trip down the aisle. Some brides may experience feelings of doubt, while others may have a sense of excitement as they embark on this well-awaited new life chapter. Whatever your particular circumstances might be, wedding dress shopping (again) requires the closing of one chapter in order to embrace a new journey.  

“It’s normal to feel pressure or even a bit of anxiety —you want everything to be perfect,” says wedding dress designer Andrea Osei. But regardless of how much time has passed, your first wedding (and dress) will be different from the second because you are different. So step into this new chapter with an open heart and mind. “Remember, the dress and wedding are only one part of the journey,” adds Osei. “No two journeys are the same, the second time can and should be a new and different experience.”

Tips for Finding a Wedding Dress for the Second Time

Even though you may be sorting through a slew of emotions, shopping for a wedding dress should be fun and memorable. The choices are boundless, from lace gowns to chic jumpsuits and everything in between, which makes for an exciting experience if you're looking to bring a bit of personality to this new celebration. However, before you step into a bridal salon and begin shopping, it's important to keep a few tips in mind, as highlighted below.

Don't compare your second look to your first dress.

Release yourself from comparison and find joy in the now, as it doesn’t do you any favors to look back on the past. Instead, focus on the present and how you look and feel in every dress you try on . “It is very unlikely that you are the same exact person, with the same exact desires and thoughts as the first time you went through the process,” says Osei. “This is a new and different experience; enjoy it.”

Try on something new.

You hear this advice often for first-time brides, but it applies to second-time brides as well. Though you may think you know exactly what you want, you might be surprised by how you feel about something that’s not your typical style. 

“I tell my brides, ‘This is your rom-com’,” says Osei. “Try on dresses that help you discover what’s flattering and reaffirm what you don’t like. Give yourself the opportunity to say yes to something that you couldn’t have pictured.” And even if you end up going with the dress you initially envisioned, getting out of your comfort zone and trying new styles is still a valuable experience. 

Go for something you absolutely love.

According to Osei, when a bride finds “the one,” there’s a noticeable energy shift in the room. Therefore, pay attention to how you feel in every dress, and don’t allow yourself to be intimidated or influenced by the opinion of others. This is your decision, and you should be head over heels in love with whatever look you choose. 

Don’t delay the process.

If it’s been a long time since your first wedding, or since you've purchased a gown for your postponed nuptials, you may have forgotten just how long it takes to receive a wedding dress once it's been ordered from the bridal salon. “Bridal gowns tend to have long lead times, and not acting sooner than later can limit the styles and designers you have to consider for your big day,” says Osei. Thus, order your dress six months to a year before the big day to ensure it arrives on time, and to allow for any alterations that might be necessary.  

Who to Bring Wedding Dress Shopping

Wedding dress shopping is typically enjoyable and stress-free when it’s limited to a small and intimate experience. If you invite too many people, you run the risk of trying to cater to competing tastes and filtering through differing opinions instead of listening to yourself. That's why it's best to invite a few trusted individuals who know you well and understand your bridal vision. 

An alternative option would be to have two consultations: one solo and one with your chosen group. “In one-on-one sessions, the bride's voice and expectations can be heard by an industry expert,” says Osei. “Once gowns have been narrowed down, the bride can have a showing of her hand-picked selections and top contenders. This way the audience she selects knows that all the dresses they are about to see on her are ones she loves.”

How to Make Your Shopping Experience Special

Whether you’re on your second marriage or you’re renewing your vows with your true love, shopping for a wedding dress is, by far, one of the best parts of planning a wedding. So go ahead and make it a day to remember by documenting the experience with tons of photos and videos. “Document your day with photographs and a note to your future self,” suggests Osei. “I’ve seen some brides go the distance with pre and post-itineraries—mini spa day, a special meal afterwards, [or] a night out.”

At the end of the day, it’s the memories that you make during your wedding that will last a lifetime. A dress can certainly help bring out your best self and boost your confidence, but that bridal glow always comes from within. “Keep an open mind and give yourself grace,” adds Osei. “No matter how beautiful a dress is, you bring the dress to life, not the other way around.”

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Wedding Dress Alterations 101

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In This Article

• Ideas For Over 40
• For Older Bride
• For 2nd Time Bride
• Simple Second Gowns
• Fashion & Beauty

Brides Often Ask

Can i wear white for my second marriage.

Unless you are very religious and want to stick to tradition, the notion of ‘purity’ associated with white wedding dresses should not be a concern. Your 2nd wedding dress should make you happy. If you want to color, choose a color. If you want white, go for it! It’s your day.

Should a Second Time Bride Wear a Veil?

The origins of wedding veils began in Rome with brides wanting to hide from demons and were later repurposed by the Church to represent modesty. If you feel that either of these traditions should be a part of your experience then you are 100% free to do so.

Second Wedding Dress Ideas For Over 40

sarehnouri via Instagram

lorenzoaccardi.photography via Instagram

  Monique Lhuillier

Choosing second-marriage wedding dresses can be pure joy. You’ve already gone through all of the stress and complications that come with the first wedding, and you know how to avoid all that. This time, you can truly appreciate the process with a deeper understanding of who you are and what you want in life. There are no rules. Feel free to indulge in any of these options.

Bridal Gowns For Older Brides

nikki ryan photography

Aaron & Jillian Photography via instagram

kyree photography

Older brides have many options for their second time wedding dress. These examples show how fun it is to show off your personal style. Some are simple with clean lines while others feature extensive beadwork and textured details. In both cases, we especially appreciate the fact that these brides aren’t trying to chase a youthful appearance, allowing their natural beauty to shine.

Pretty Dresses For 2nd Time Bride

katie autry photography

lindsey ocker photography

ryan smith photography

Your second wedding dress should compliment your figure, fit in with your theme, and is appropriate for the season and venue. Honestly, the only really tough part is deciding between traditional white or taking advantage of the opportunity to wear colors.

Simple Bridal Dresses For Second Wedding

but natural photography

susan ogg designer

Whether you are 28 or 98, simple wedding gowns are always an attractive option. These second wedding dresses feature clean lines, simple features, and modest adornment. That’s really all a beautiful bride like you needs to bring a tear to the groom’s eye. You simply can’t go wrong with this style.

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11 Perfect Wedding Dresses for a Second Trip Down the Aisle

Choosing a wedding dress is tough for many second time brides. After all, there are traditions and etiquette expectations to navigate. Luckily, society and wedding expectations are moving away from the stiff etiquette rules that governed second weddings in the past.

Instead of intimate quiet ceremonies followed by luncheons, remarrying brides are enjoying full-scale weddings and receptions. In part, this is because of the growing percentage of 2nd time around couples who pay for the whole wedding out of their own pocket. Holding the purse strings means couples can call the shots without worrying about the dreaded “e” word: expectations.

Still, some brides may be uncomfortable breaking with tradition, and that is okay! We’ve created this article with all the traditions and expectations for second weddings in mind. When you select your wedding gown and accessories, we want you to be prepared for all things second wedding dress.

As a bonus, we’ve rounded up our top picks that are perfect for the occasion.

To Garter or Not to Garter?

Textures, patterns, glitz and color, second wedding wardrobe etiquette.

Let’s break down the traditional etiquette surrounding second weddings for the bridal wardrobe, particularly the one burning question that often comes up first.

Can I Still Wear White?

Although your great-grandmother may clutch her pearls at the idea of not wearing a white wedding dress, this is actually a fairly new tradition. In fact, wearing a white wedding dress originated with Queen Victoria. Before her royal wedding to Prince Albert in 1837, brides of the time just wore their best dress.

The trend-setting queen launched a new world for the white wedding gown. A white gown traditionally symbolizes innocence, virginity, and purity. Because of this, it became a faux pas for a bride to wear white on her second trip down the aisle, unless she had a very short first marriage or had eloped.

Like we said, times have changed. Brides are bucking the restrictions of old traditions to celebrate their fairytale weddings, snow-white gown and all!

If you’d prefer not to wear white, there are ways around it. Many brides elect to purchase a gown in a gentle shade of ivory, ecru or even blush.

Scrap the Full-Length Veil

One piece of wedding wardrobe etiquette that hasn’t budged much surrounds the veil. Like a white dress, the veil covering the face is representative of youth and innocence. This carries a special meaning when the groom lifts the veil from his bride’s face for the first time. Because the bride is not traditionally given away a second time, the veil is also not typically lifted again.

Brides seeking remarriage should instead experiment with face-framing veils, birdcage veils or even ornate hairpieces. A long veil cascading down the back and not covering the face is also acceptable for weddings that are very formal in style.

Deciding to wear a traditional garter and participate in your garter toss is your decision. Let’s take a look at the meaning behind the garter toss to help you make your choice.

The garter toss dates way, way back to a time when guests believed the bridal garments would bring good luck. Back in the day, reception-goers would chase the bride around, tearing off pieces of her dress until she finally wised up and tossed her garters to the crowd instead. The tradition is for first-time brides, but luck is in the eye of the beholder!

The same goes for bouquet toss. The bride’s bouquet was considered good luck, and the woman who received it would be next to marry. Oftentimes the bouquet toss is painfully awkward for all the single women in the room, and your guests probably wouldn’t be sad to skip it. If you don’t want to do a bouquet toss at your second wedding, make a lovely speech instead and present it to someone special at the reception.

Second Marriage Gown Tips for Older Brides

When you are in your 20s or 30s a second marriage is easier to get away with doing it all over again – big dress and all. Almost as if the first time never happened. Take Megan Markle, can you name her first husband? Trevor Engelson who?  No images popped into our minds of  Megan walking down the aisle during her destination wedding in Jamaica on her FIRST big day.

But when it comes to older ladies, who may come with a little more noticeable baggage (i.e., children who are now all grown up), what exactly should an older bride wear? Well we think whatever she darn well pleases!

Choose something that flatters your figure and makes you feel good wearing. If that means a ball gown at 70, all the more power to you. Here are a few tips and suggestions for those round-two brides who want to feel beautiful, classy, and gorgeous on their big day.

Take Note of  Wedding Location

Having a casual backyard garden summer ceremony?  Think feminine and flowery.  Something like the dress pictured below would be a flattering choice for an older bride.  It shows off your feminine curves, has creamy champagne lace that still says bride, and you’ll stay cool and comfortable in the hot summer sun.  A very elegant piece for a summer wedding.

Heading to the courthouse followed by a nice dinner out on the town? Not wanting to slip into a fancy frock?

Why not try a pant suit with a classic set of triple-strand cultured pearls like this ensemble below.

Style & Dare to be Different

Find a gown that isn’t your normal go-to silhouette. Surprise your partner in something that makes you feel glamorous and sexy, but is still classic and tasteful.

Crepe Maxi Dress

by Jenny Yoo

One-Shoulder Bow Gown

by Sachin & Babi

Light silver, light blue, champagne, blush, cream or ivory are all lovely colors for mature 2nd marriage bridal gowns.  Look for dresses with beautiful textures and patterns that will add an elegance to the dress.

Willowby by Watters

Elinor Dress

Where to Dress Shop

If you have already walk down the aisle once before and blow an absurd amount of money at the bridal shop, you will most likely be wiser this time around and use your extra moola for the honeymoon.  Look online at bridesmaids dresses that come in champagne, ivory or blush that you can glam up with a sash or jewelry.  Be sure to steer clear of bridal shops and look for formal/cocktail dresses at department stores such as:

• Bloomingdale’s : dresses for every wedding and vibe, a variety of cuts and styles made by top designers
• Dillards : affordable dresses, as low as $70
• Neiman Marcus

There are also many top online shops that offer amazing wedding gowns at all different price points, which you can read more about.

Second Wedding Etiquette Tips

There are a lot of traditions and etiquette tidbits revolving around second weddings that don’t have to do with wardrobe, either! While you’re dress-shopping, you may consider what your bridesmaids will wear. Here’s a heads-up on etiquette concerning the wedding party and the processional during the ceremony!

• The bride and groom typically do not have a huge wedding party. Instead, one or two friends may “stand up” for the bride and groom during the ceremony.
• There usually isn’t a processional of parents, grandparents, and wedding party members at a second wedding. Instead, the bride traditionally enters from the side.
• As mentioned before, the father does not give away the bride again. Typically toasts like the father-daughter toast at the rehearsal dinner — if there is a rehearsal dinner at all — are also done away with.

5 (More) Second Wedding Dresses We Love

Now that you’re armed with all the details about second wedding dress traditions and expectations, you’re ready to make informed decisions about the style of your wedding dress. Here are some of our favorites that ensure you’re a tasteful vision on the big day!

1. Tulle Plunging V-Neck Lace Gown

by Galina Signature

This ivory and lace ball gown is a vision! Live your very own fairytale in a layered soft tulle skirt with a pink-tinted underskirt giving this ball gown a diffused sparkle like fairy dust.  The ivory shade is off-white, but still elegantly bridal.

2. Halter Sheath Wedding Dress

by Oleg Cassini

This sleek silhouette is perfect for the modern bride, in a warm shade of ivory. The halter neckline is clean and on-trend, and the appliques on the gown are symmetrical to create a chic visual interest.

3. Signature Sheer Beaded Bodice Organza A-Line Wedding Dress

by  Galina

This A-Line gown from Galina is a true show-stopper. With layers of gentle blush and ivory, the gown is perfect for a second wedding. It also features 5,000 hand-placed crystals beads and sequins. It is excellent for a bride with a daring, fashion-forward side, with a plunging neckline and delicate straps across the back.

4.  Sweep-Brush Train Lace V-Neck Wedding Dress

by CocoMelody

This lace V-neck gown has downtown chic written all over it.   The v-neckline, fitted bodice, and stretchy crepe constructions will flatter the curves on any body type making this the perfect second bridal look no matter what your age or size.

5. Long Sleeve Lace Wedding Dress with Open Back

This gown by Coco Melody hugs the curves and ends in a delicate court train. An all-over lace applique makes the look timeless, while the striking back detail offers just the right amount of daring. The ivory or champagne shades are both great selections for a second wedding.

Got a gown you love for your second trip down the aisle? Why not share with other brides using the comment section below!

Save THIS PIN to your  Wedding Dresses  board on Pinterest so you can always find it when you need to!

posted gorgeous clothes for weddings… I think the most lovely aspect of a bride’s attire is her veil.

It’s a great article. Many second weddings are older people. Perhaps you could have pictures of older people and gowns fitting for older brides. Thank you.

I am a young, curvy 70 with auburn hair and brown eyes, and will be having a “convalidation” ceremony – a Catholic Church wedding which we did not have 37 years ago. It will be in early June, a very simple church ceremony, then dinner at a local elegant restaurant with our Matron of Honor who is my best friend, and her husband; our son-The Best Man, and his young children. I’ve chosen a simple long sleeve, below knee ivory lace sheath, ivory low heel pumps, and a very short ivory veil on a comb to wear at the back of my head. I’ll wear pearl jewelry, and carry a small bouquet of ivory and blush roses. My husband and son will wear dark suits and rose boutonierres. My MOH can choose her own ensemble, probably a blue suit. The kids can wear their Sunday best.

Great article. Try pairing your long sleeve wedding dress with an attractive bouquet and a simple updo to really peak the sleeves of your gown. creative stylist ( https://www.creativestylista.com/ ) it explores a wide range of wedding dresses with sleeves that are very much in style for brides. Current wedding dresses with long crepe sleeves are actual of the moment and on-trend.

I’m looking for a particular dress above but not having any luck finding it anywhere. Do you kno where i can find the white knee length dress off the shoulder, 3/4 length lace sleeves by Adrianna Papell?

I apologise that the links on this post were out of date ( Post now updated as of Feb 13, 2019 ). I did a quick search online, and unfortunately it looks like Macy’s no longer offers this gown.

However, I did find it on another site called baliratihbodycare.com . Please note that I have never shopped from this website and I cannot vouche for them. So please be careful and do your own research before buying from that particular online store.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to help!

Regards, Meredith

https://www.ebay.com/i/223384327407?chn=ps Size 6 only. The only site first mentioned is not a secure site so as she said, I would not be very careful.

Nice find Terrie! Looks like this one may already be sold though. 🙁

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For Costco devotees, Anchorage’s new business center brings a satisfying trip down the aisle

Wearing Kirkland sweatshirts, (from left) Emily Lanier, Emily Duzenbery and Alex Lanier walk through the aisles of the new Costco Business Center on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

As Alex Lanier and his fiancee, Emily, walked through the aisles of Anchorage’s new Costco Business Center on Friday morning, it was like a romantic stroll down memory lane.

The couple had enjoyed part of their first date at Costco. Now, they’re set to be married Sunday.

Outfitted in Kirkland gear — Costco’s signature brand — Emily wore a bride-to-be veil over her pink stocking cap.

“We met and went to lunch,” Emily said. “And we didn’t want the date to end. And so we were like, ‘What do you have to do today? Hey, I need to go to Costco. Do you need to go to Costco?’ And then we wandered around Costco.’ ”

The happy couple and their friend were the first in the doors Friday at Tikahtnu Commons, and made the first purchase — a box of Reese’s Peanut Butter Big Cups. And while this Costco is tailored toward businesses and commercial ventures, the shopping crowd early Friday featured plenty of curious Costco devotees.

Ulber Ferati chats with Costco employees before checking out his cart at the new Costco Business Center on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

Among that sea of shoppers, Ulber Ferati stood out, rolling a flatbed cart packed high with cheese, spices and produce.

The owner of Spenard eatery Fiori D’Italia, Ferati said the business center is a game-changer for him, providing high-quality produce, dry goods and equipment for reasonable — and relatively stable — prices.

He said since Sam’s Club closed in 2018, Anchorage hasn’t had a spot that offered commercial businesses that type of selection and purchase power. He’s turned to other suppliers, but said prices and quality are inconsistent. Costco’s new store, he said, allows him to make one stop and be able to purchase in bulk.

“This is the heart of my business because we cannot raise prices too high,” he said. “It just doesn’t work.”

Trays and pans line an aisle at the new Costco Business Center in Anchorage on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

With aisles packed full of hotel pans, dishes and appliances as well as larger containers of dry goods and cuts of meat, Ferati believes the store will be especially beneficial to businesses in the service and hospitality industries.

The store had an initial rush when it opened with a ribbon cutting at 7 a.m. as excited shoppers snapped selfies among the large contingent of Costco employees who lined the aisles.

Ronn Sidro walked through the aisles Friday morning with particular interest. He’d worked at a Costco Business Center in Tacoma, Washington, and was curious if the Alaska outpost would carry everything that the Lower 48 stores offered.

“We’ve just went through three aisles already,” he said. “Some of the stuff here that was in the Lower 48 (stores), they actually brought up here, because you can’t really find this stuff here at a normal Costco.”

Customers arrive at the new Costco Business Center in Anchorage on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

While there are plenty of items not featured at standard Costco warehouses, there are also items shoppers will find at other stores that don’t appear in the business center. That includes clothing, seasonal items, food samples and the vaunted Costco Food Court.

Another feature of the business center is planned two-day grocery delivery statewide through FedEx.

Sidro said aside from the local businesses, the biggest impact may be the increased access from shoppers across the state.

“Now that you have this stuff consistently coming in, it’s going to be a lot easier for the rest of the state, going through the villages and getting their orders packed up,” he said.

[ A ‘different kind’ of Costco is opening in Anchorage, with plans for 2-day grocery delivery statewide ]

The business center is home to a vastly larger walk-in cooler section, with sized-up produce selections: boxes of citrus fruit as opposed to bags, and 50-pound bags of items like sweet potatoes.

A commercial hand dryer is one of the items available at the Costco Business Center that opened in Anchorage on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

The store’s inventory on Friday included commercial hand dryers, New Zealand whole lambs and buckets of candy big enough to sustain a major parade float.

Ubon Outhavong was taking advantage of another perk of the Costco Business Center: earlier hours. The business center opens at 8 a.m. on Sundays and 7 a.m. the rest of the week. He had taken his mother, described as a serious Costco shopping fanatic, to check out the new store.

“I figured if we get here earlier in the day, maybe we won’t miss anything,” he said. “For some reason, I’m superstitious. I’m the same way on Black Friday and holiday time. Oh my gosh, you’ve got to get there so you don’t miss something.”

Plus, he was looking to outfit the new house he’d just bought with a few items. As much as anything, he was on the hunt for a deal on an Apple Mac mini, which he’d seen at other stores.

Cars pack the Costco Business Center parking lot during its first day of business on Friday. (Chris Bieri / ADN)

Maria Isabella Rivera had her arms loaded up with bottles from a row packed with various Torani flavored beverage syrups. They were the perfect addition to the coffee she and her husband enjoy — and on a great sale.

Initially, she’d just intended to scope out the scene. But like many trips to Costco, that plan didn’t stick.

“I just came to look around, but I’ve seen a lot of good deals,” she said. “I wasn’t going to get anything, but once you get here your mentality changes. ‘Oh, I need this, I need that.’”

The same was true for the soon-to-be newlyweds, who eventually picked up a cart after determining they needed more items than just the Reese’s. They even had their eyes on some potential snacks for the reception.

“The selection of cheese was great,” Emily said.

Chris Bieri

Chris Bieri is the sports and entertainment editor at the Anchorage Daily News.

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Should the Middle Seat Passenger Get Both Armrests on a Plane? A Travel Expert Answers the Controversial Question

The debate was recently reignited by a passenger who claimed their flight attendant had specific “armrest rules” in a post shared on Reddit

Natalia Senanayake is an Editorial Assistant, Lifestyle at PEOPLE. She covers all things travel and home, from celebrities' luxury mansions to breaking travel news.

An airline passenger reignited a classic travel debate after they claimed a flight attendant was enforcing “armrest rules” during their recent trip. 

The passenger said the flight attendant told everyone on the plane to use one armrest only , either to the right or left of them depending on where they were sitting, in a post shared to Reddit earlier this month. 

“To my surprise, he was very emphatic that no person gets two armrests,” user littleike0 wrote on the forum. They claimed that the crew member’s reasoning for the rule was to “keep the armrest on the aisle clear for carts and people walking down the plane.” 

“He emphatically stated that no armrest drama would be tolerated,” the user continued. “Feeling sorry for all the folks in middle seats on this flight, [I] mentioned to my seat mate she was welcome to use both armrests.”

The original poster (OP) ended their retelling by asking their fellow Redditors if they’ve ever heard of these “rules” before. The comments section was quickly flooded with users’ opinionated responses.

“That's a ‘no’ for me. I'm an aisle seater, and that aisle armrest is mine,” one person wrote. “The middle seat gets his/her two, I get mine on the aisle.”

Another added, “I only ride aisle, cause I'm a short stocky wide dude...armrest is mine so I can lean that way, and not on the middle…”

One user asked, “Why do we need rules like this? 🙄 If I’m on the aisle and get bumped it’s my bad.”

Others emphasized that the middle seat passenger should always get both armrests as they have the least amount of space.

“I always assumed the middle seat got both armrests because, let’s be honest, the middle seat SUCKS. I always felt like it was the least I could do for their troubles.”

However, some thought that the flight attendant’s alleged rule did serve a valuable purpose. 

“I actually agree with that. It’s always so annoying brushing past people who are leaning out into the aisle.”

PEOPLE spoke to travel advisor Nicole Campoy Jackson of Fora Travel to get to the bottom of the airplane etiquette issue. 

“My rule of thumb is: always be considerate of the person in the middle seat,” Jackson says. “If you're in a three-across seating setup on a plane, the window passenger gets the window and window-side armrest; the aisle passenger gets the aisle armrest; and the middle passenger gets to decide how they'd like to use the two in the middle.”

She emphasizes that the middle seat is “claustrophobic enough” and those passengers shouldn’t have to be “relegated to one armrest.”

However, there are situations where sharing the middle armrest may be the best option, according to Jackson.

“If you're a taller person and have a hard time getting comfortable without the use of a bit of that armrest, then there's no harm in sharing. Give the right of way to the middle passenger, but also get comfortable.” 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Jackson says that while she understands where the flight attendant is coming from with their rules, there is no reason to avoid the aisle seat armrest for the entire flight.

“I assume that bumping into passengers left and right down the aisle would get annoying for everyone involved. But there are many hours on a plane during which the cart is not being pushed. So, must you avoid that aisle armrest the entire time? Of course not. If you're awake and can scoot in a bit to avoid getting bumped? Then, do!”

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The Bride Wore a Custom Dress by Hermione de Paula to Walk Down the Delphinium-Lined Aisle at Her Bedford Wedding

By Alexandra Macon

Alexandria van Starrenburg and James ‘“Bud” Vallely’s parents knew each other for many years, but it wasn’t until early 2019 when their “kids” officially met, as the latter had been living in China for seven years. “Shortly after he relocated to New York City, and we found ourselves sitting next to each other at a New York Rangers game,” Alexandria remembers. “It didn’t take long for us to connect the dots.”

For Alexandria, it was almost love at first sight—or so she thought. But the couple’s love story didn’t truly begin until years later. “We ran into each other occasionally, but our first date wasn’t until April 2021,” she remembers. “Bud was on a golf trip in Florida and cut it short to make it back in time for dinner, and we discovered we lived only a block away from each other in the West Village.” Bud was on West 11th, and Alexandria was on Perry Street. After their first date, the relationship moved forward quickly, and they were essentially living together within a few weeks.

In 2022, the couple spent the holidays with Bud’s family in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was Christmas Day, and after celebrating through the afternoon, they went snowshoeing on the Shooting Star Golf Course. “About 10 minutes in, we noticed a moose resting in our path,” Alexandria remembers. “Bud rerouted us to an open area and before I knew it, he was on one knee…sinking under more snow by the second! It was the perfect Christmas.”

Their wedding was held at the end of the summer in Bedford, New York. “Having grown up in Bedford, I knew I wanted to get married there and have a backyard-style wedding,” Alexandria says. “My father’s property turned out to be the perfect setting. Since Bud grew up in Greenwich, it was also an easy trip for many of our guests.” The bride’s father, Daniel van Starrenburg, is an arborist and the executive chairman of SavATree, a tree, shrub, and lawn care company. “The trees on the property are absolutely spectacular which made for the perfect venue and several trees were planted just for the wedding,” the bride explains.

The couple planned the whole wedding in just eight months. “Once I was connected with event planner Chris Hessney and his team it was relatively easy,” Alexandria says. “Since my mother was going to do the flowers, it was important to me to work with a planner who shared a passion for unique florals and had exquisite taste.”

Her vision was simple, elegant, whimsical—and purple! The bride’s mother, Banchet Jaigla, designed all of the florals for the wedding, from the wild delphinium aisle to the climbing vanda orchid tablescape and potted lady slipper orchids. “She has a flower studio in New York City and Greenwich called Banchet Flowers, but this was her Super Bowl,” Alexandria says. “Chris knew of my mother’s work from New York City, and they made the perfect creative duo. I think they had a lot of fun working together.”

Additionally, the bride’s aunt, artist Pisamai Jaigla, hand-painted all of the wedding invitations, meaning the wedding was very much a family affair. “It made it so much more meaningful to have one-of-a-kind artwork done by my aunt,” Alexandria says. (Many of the florals she painted were included in the wedding as well.)

The search for the perfect wedding dress proved a little more elusive. “After trying on just about every dress in New York, I reached out to Hermione de Paula’s studio in London,” Alexandria recalls. “I had seen some of her couture work and was always enamored by the customization of her embroidery work and use of color.” Having worked in fashion for her entire career—Alexandria currently works on the client engagement team at Chanel—her standards were high, and she wanted something different but needed a designer to help bring her vision to life. “Hermione was an absolute pleasure to work with, and I enjoyed every moment of the process,” she says.

The two ended up creating a completely custom wedding gown. The bride wanted a traditional silhouette with intricate embroidery, and together, they made the dress of her dreams. “I collaborated with Hermione on every aspect of the gown on several trips to London and video calls,” Alexandria says. The flowers on the dress were inspired by the florals that Alexandria’s mother used in the wedding, and Hermione created a custom embroidery for the bodice that incorporated soft colors and light beading. “I don’t think I could have done this with any other designer,” Alexandria says. “Being so far away I had to trust the process but it was all worth it in the end.”

Because Bud is an avid fly fisherman, Alexandria had two fish embroidered on the bodice of her dress along with his name and our wedding date on the skirt. “It was a surprise for him on our wedding day,” Alexandria says. “He loved the surprise and the personal touches. The dress was truly a work of art.” The bride never pictured herself in a veil, so she wore a cape instead. “I absolutely love how it complimented the dress and how perfectly it meshed with the outdoor setting,” she says.

The bridal party wore shades of sea foam green to complement all of the purple florals. “Everyone in my bridal party had a different look which spoke uniquely to their personalities,” Alexandria explains. “I loved that each chose a different silhouette including my bridesmaid, Jacob, who wore a green linen suit from Suit Supply!”

Weather-wise, Alexandria describes it as one of the most beautiful days of the year. “The sun was shining all day, the air was uncharacteristically dry, and we had a light breeze,” she remembers. The ceremony was held in a sunken garden in the center of the property surrounded by old stone walls. The aisle boasted waist-high delphinium florals all designed by the bride’s mother and the service was framed by two English oak trees that were planted just for the occasion.

Close friend Thomas Rogers officiated the wedding, and the bride’s father walked her down the aisle to Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” played by a string quartet band. “I will always cherish this moment with my dad,” Alexandria remembers. “It was a long walk but allowed us to really take in the moment—it felt like we were floating. I felt overwhelmingly happy and content. I knew in that moment everything was perfect and meant to be. Having all our loved ones in one place was so special to us.”

Following the ceremony, guests walked up the lawn to the outdoor terrace and had cocktails by the pool. Acquolina created a farm-style table of hors d’oeuvres complete with a jamón Ibérico leg and carving station, while specialty cocktails including a summer spritz and mango margaritas were served.

Once cocktail hour was up, guests went down to the tent to get settled before the first dance. In the meantime, the newlyweds did a private send-off in the Vallelys’ 1979 white Cadillac convertible, which the bride’s mom had adorned with flowers.

After that, the couple entered the tent for their first dance to “Caravan” by Van Morrison. “The tent was absolute magic,” Alexandria says. “The trees suspended on the tent poles and the vanda orchids on the tables were spectacular. It felt and looked like a greenhouse.”

For the reception, the bride changed into a shorter dress to cut the cake. She initially struggled to find an after-party look, but ultimately discovered the dress by Ronalina Bridal on Instagram. She worked with their team in Israel to make the dress complete with the matching gloves, and she paired it with two stacked Mikimoto pearl choker necklaces to add a little flair. “We danced the night away with our guests and served McDonald’s and espresso martinis on the dance floor to keep the energy high,” Alexandria says. “It was a magical evening filled with so much love!”

At our rehearsal dinner at Belle Haven in Greenwich, where Bud grew up. We had cocktail hour as the sun set over the sound.

Wearing a very special dress by Andrew Kwon . The garment was three pieces: a silk skirt with a matching bandeau and a sheer top with cape. This isn’t a dress I would typically wear, but when I saw it I just knew.

By Margaux Anbouba

By Alexis Bennett Parker

By Audrey Noble

Taking it all in before the big day.

My aunt Pisamai Jaigla is an incredible artist and did all the artwork for our printed material. I then worked with Ink Revival to create the entire invitation suite.

Eminem's Daughter Hailie Jade Scott Shows Off Prep for Bachelorette Trip

Hailie Jade Scott is headed out for her bachelorette trip and she's letting her 3.2 million Instagram followers see exactly how she prepares.

Scott, 28, is Eminem 's daughter - of "Hailie's Song" fame - and is getting ready to marry her fiancé, Evan McClintock .

She shared an Instagram reel of her packing her suitcase with exquisite detail as Sabrina Carpenter 's hit "Espresso" played in the background. First, Scott laid out each outfit she plans to wear on the trip, with the camera panning over an array of light-colored swimsuits, hats, sunglasses and more.

Then, she loaded each into packing cubes, with smaller accessories getting their own. Each packing cube was loaded into one side of the suitcase along with toiletries and a makeup bag. She added handbags and baseball caps to fill in the gaps, with everything stacked in a way befitting a Tetris champion.

Eminem Walked Daughter Alaina Marie Down the Aisle at Her Wedding

In the middle pocket, Scott loaded up her hair styling equipment, zipped up "so things are confined and the cords aren't everywhere," she said.

A post shared by Hailie Jade (@hailiejade)

Next came the shoes, and fear not - Scott has heels, slides and sneakers for all occasions. Her white noise machine, hair accessories, a JBL speaker and medicine bag all went beside the shoes, followed by the outfit she will wear on the way home.

Scott then closed the suitcase, assuring followers that it would get a "Heavy: Handle with Caution" tag on it.

"And now I'm all packed up for my bachelorette!" she concluded, smiling and holding a white cowboy hat.

Scott didn't disclose where she's headed. She and McClintock have been together since 2016 and got engaged in February 2023. The pair announced the news of their engagement with a post shared via Scott's Instagram captioned, "Casual weekend recap… 2.4.23 i love you." In the accompanying photos, the two shared a bottle of champagne. In one of them, McClintock was seen down on one knee, proposing to Scott.

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McClintock and Scott have kept their relationship out of the public eye, with McClintock even keeping his Instagram account private. He is a Michigan State grad - the two met in East Lansing - and his LinkedIn lists him as an enterprise growth executive with software company Scout.

McClintock revealed that he asked Scott's famous father for his blessing before proposing.

"I saw your dad go downstairs and [thought], ‘Alright. I got to do it right now or I'm not doing it today. I'm going to have to schedule some other time,'" he said during an appearance on his fiancée's "Just a Little Shady" podcast. "So, I just followed him downstairs and thankfully, he was just down there, grabbing your [birthday] cake."

Construction to begin on high-speed rail between Vegas and California

Brightline west will make the trip between las vegas and rancho cucamonga in a little over two hours.

Privately owned train company Brightline will break ground next week on a $12 billion high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will join company leaders and other officials for the start of construction in Las Vegas on Monday, the Department of Transportation confirmed. The ceremony was first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Brightline West benefits from $3 billion in federal funds from President Biden ’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Trains could be running as soon as early 2028, in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Travelers have a lot to look forward to. Electric trains will depart every 45 minutes from a Las Vegas station south of the city’s storied Strip and a Southern California station in Rancho Cucamonga, a Los Angeles suburb about 40 miles east of downtown.

Traveling at up to 186 mph — faster than any other train in the United States — Brightline West trains will make the 218-mile trip in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

“At long last, we’re building the first high-speed rail project in our nation’s history,” President Biden said of Brightline West in December. “We’ve been talking about this project for decades. Now we’re really getting it done.”

Other high-speed railroads that would carry passengers at 200 mph and faster are in the works in California, Texas and the Pacific Northwest.

Driving between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas takes at least three hours without traffic, according to Google Maps.

“You’ll be sitting there flying by on Brightline looking at all these brake lights on the highway and thinking, ‘It sucks to be you,’” said Jim Mathews, CEO of the Rail Passengers Association , said on Friday. “That’s what it’s going to be like for all those people trying to get from greater Los Angeles to Las Vegas.”

Brightline West trains will run along Interstate 15 for nearly their entire journey. They will make two intermediate stops in California: one in Hesperia and one in Apple Valley.

Travelers coming from Los Angeles will have the option of riding Metrolink , Southern California’s regional rail system, to the Rancho Cucamonga station located near the junction of Interstates 10 and 15. The trip between downtown Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga takes at least 50 minutes by car without traffic, or 1 hour and 15 minutes on the train.

Speed won’t be the only reason to ride Brightline West.

Brightline’s Florida operation connecting Miami to Orlando opened in September , giving future customers out West an idea of what to expect. Before Brightline’s debut, Amtrak held a monopoly on intercity passenger rail travel for decades.

Stations are spacious with comfortable areas to sit, bars selling craft cocktails and a lounge for premium passengers. Onboard, travelers enjoy assigned seats and fast WiFi. Attendants come down the aisle serving snacks and drinks throughout the trip.

Brightline told investors that it carried a record 258,307 passengers in March, and that one in three of its trains were nearly full.

Brightline’s strong ridership, though slower than initially promised to investors, makes a strong case for building fast and frequent trains between major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Brightline West estimates that 6 million people will ride its trains during the first full year of operation, according to a federal environmental assessment . That number is projected to grow to as many as 9.2 million people within a decade.

The company estimates that, without the train, three-quarters of its riders would drive between Southern California and Las Vegas. Another 15 percent would fly, and the balance would not make the trip at all.

More travel news

How we travel now: More people are taking booze-free trips — and airlines and hotels are taking note. Some couples are ditching the traditional honeymoon for a “buddymoon” with their pals. Interested? Here are the best tools for making a group trip work.

Bad behavior: Entitled tourists are running amok, defacing the Colosseum , getting rowdy in Bali and messing with wild animals in national parks. Some destinations are fighting back with public awareness campaigns — or just by telling out-of-control visitors to stay away .

Safety concerns: A door blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet, leaving passengers traumatized — but without serious injuries. The ordeal led to widespread flight cancellations after the jet was grounded, and some travelers have taken steps to avoid the plane in the future. The incident has also sparked a fresh discussion about whether it’s safe to fly with a baby on your lap .

Our wild spending spree

Why high prices have failed to curb America's appetite for shopping

We've all been there: staring down the price of a plane ticket, a new shirt, or a bag of chips and thinking angrily to ourselves, "Jesus Christ, this did not use to cost this much." And then … we buy it anyway.

Inflation has made a lot of things infuriatingly expensive, and consumer confidence isn't great . The economy is good on paper, but in the real world, a lot of people feel like they're trapped in place . Yet many of those same people continue to spend their way through it. Retail sales came in higher than expected in March, up 0.7% month over month to $709.6 billion. February's numbers were revised up, too. Consumers have proved themselves as the motor of the economy.

In short, America has become a nation of hate spenders.

"There is how consumers feel and what they're doing," Lydia Boussour, a senior economist at EY, said. "Consumers are not feeling great about inflation, but what the data is telling you is that even if they're not feeling great, they're still able to continue to spend."

That leaves the question: Why are we willing to spend through the pain? According to experts I talked to, the surge in hate spending can be attributed to various factors. For one thing, a lot of people still have the financial stability necessary to open their wallets. On a psychological level, many consumers are just throwing up their hands at the state of financial affairs. They're aware prices aren't going back to 2019 levels, and given everything everyone's just been through, they may as well live it up.

Take Jordan Hart, a writer in Illinois and self-described "cheap bitch." She told me that she often finds herself outraged by prices — and then ultimately succumbs to the forces of capitalism. Hart, 26, has developed a taste for Lululemon, despite previously scoffing at paying $100 for a pair of leggings. Most recently, she decided to spend $50 on a Stanley cup . She initially got a knockoff on Amazon, but it broke, so she's biting the bullet and going with the OG. It's cool and trendy , plus part of her New Year's resolution was to drink more water. She's channeling a familiar sentiment. Many consumers are still buying like crazy; they're just mad about it .

"I feel like, obviously, with inflation, everything is just getting obnoxiously more expensive," she told me. "But at the heart of it, our desire as a consumer and as people to have nice things has not gone away."

Some of what's happening here is simple macroeconomics: People's finances are in a good spot, so they can absorb the increased costs. The labor market is strong , and wage growth has been outpacing inflation for months. From 2019 to 2022, median household wealth, adjusting for inflation, grew by 37%. Some cracks have begun to emerge. People's savings have fallen after being boosted by stimulus checks and the lack of spending options during the pandemic, and credit-card and auto-loan delinquencies are on the rise. Lower-income households, in particular, are likelier to be struggling. Still, on the whole, Americans are doing well.

"We're looking at a consumer sector that's still in overall good financial shape," Boussour said. She thinks that moderation in spending will soon be on the horizon, though it's worth noting economists have been saying that for months now — eventually, something has to break, they've argued, but it's just not clear what or when that will be.

People have largely just accepted that the prices that are in the market right now are status quo. We've acclimated to these inflated prices.

Beyond the raw dollars and cents, there are a lot of mental and emotional factors going into people's willingness to suck it up in the face of higher prices. In American culture, consumerism is one hell of a drug. It's wrapped up in our identities, how we relate to the world and to each other. Many of us have a tendency to look at a problem or frustration and think, "What can I buy about this?"

Claire Tassin, a retail and e-commerce analyst at Morning Consult, told me surveys indicated that the sticker shock of inflation had worn off, meaning some of the hate spending comes down to resignation. Per Morning Consult, the share of people who say they're paying more for products now than they were a year ago is back to 2021 levels, even as prices continue to climb.

"People have largely just accepted that the prices that are in the market right now are status quo," Tassin said. "We've acclimated to these inflated prices."

There's also a level of YOLO splurging going on among a lot of consumers. They're buying tickets to see Taylor Swift and booking summer trips to Europe , deciding they deserve a treat (or several) after living through a pandemic. People figure, "Hey, if I can't buy a new home right now or upgrade my job or car, taking a vacation seems like a decent alternative, even if I am paying more than I'd like." The consumer COVID hangover is lasting longer than many observers expected, in a way that opens up the question of whether this you-only-live-once attitude will last forever. If consumers hadn't gone along for the ride on price hikes, companies couldn't have undertaken them in the way they did. Financial products such as buy now, pay later have also made it easier to buy something you can't entirely afford at this very minute.

"I don't know what would force us to hit the breaking point for this degree of consumer spending," Tassin said.

At the same time, conspicuous consumption — as in buying goods and services to show off a level of status — is back on the rise among demographics that are once again jonesing to try new brands and becoming less sensitive to prices. While lower-income consumers are trading down from expensive name-brand products to cheaper alternatives in an effort to save money, some younger and higher-income consumers are trading up and shrugging off the higher costs that come with that, even if it irks them.

"They want to achieve a higher social status. They want to live a life that impresses others, and being part of the popular crowd is important," Tassin said. "Part of it is just like, 'This is what it costs now. And yes, it's a lot more expensive than it used to be, but it's still important to me to keep spending.'"

The misalignment between people's stated attitude toward prices and their actual behavior isn't that outlandish — our intentions and emotions often don't match our actions. People say they want to eat healthy all the time and then find themselves in the ice cream aisle. It's easy to say you want to cut back on spending, given high prices, but when a friend asks whether you want to go shopping, it's hard to say no.

Ravi Dhar, a professor of management and marketing and the director of the Center for Customer Insights at Yale School of Management, told me there's a sort of decoupling going on between people's current situations and how they feel about the future. They see a headline about people getting laid off, or they know there's a global conflict going on, so they feel more pessimistic about the economy and worried about costs. But when it comes down to actually paying, they still have a job and maybe even got a raise, so they pony up.

"They have uneasy feelings about the future and how it might change, whereas expenditures and spending now is determined by the current state of affairs," Dhar said. "Their predictions have become more pessimistic, but not their behavior."

There is, of course, a needs vs. wants question here. Some items are necessities — a home to live in, food on the table, gas in the car, childcare, healthcare. Consumers are understandably frustrated at the costs of these things. But in some instances, people conflate what is a need, what's a reasonable expectation, and what sorts of trade-offs they perhaps should make to achieve their financial goals. None of us have to subscribe to six streaming services or escape to a lavish weekend getaway, even if we tell ourselves that's what we deserve for stomaching the workday and staring down a grocery bill that's much higher than it used to be.

"To the outside, that might look like a luxury but to them it says, 'Hey, this, I need all this for my sanity,'" Dhar said.

People are averse to loss, and having to change their lifestyle to fit newfound financial constraints feels like losing. There's an element of stubbornness here — of course, that dress in the closet is just fine to wear to that party, but getting the new one is more fun and exciting , even if the accompanying price tag is annoying. It'll be something interesting to complain about at said party later.

To the outside, that might look like a luxury but to them it says, 'Hey, this, I need all this for my sanity.'

Reporting for this story, I heard from all sorts of people about their hate-spending habits. One woman told me she despised spending over $1,000 on an iPhone, even as she insisted on replacing hers at least every two years (she figured she should have one that works "awesome"). And, like many people, she won't switch to another brand . One man said he'd really gotten into couponing and racking up points at his local grocery store, but sometimes, he's just got to have that bag of Doritos, even if it costs the price of two bags three years ago. People cited angrily buying dog toys, fancy chocolates, deodorant, and $9 Chex Mix at the airport. Some mentioned doing more inevitable — and even more rage-inducing — spending on big-ticket items like rent. Upon reflection, I've realized I have two categories of expenses I love to hate: martinis at half-decent New York restaurants and my internet bill.

Most people were aware that many purchases were things they could go without. The Doritos guy knows he could go without the premium channels in his cable package, but he doesn't think his bill would come down far enough to warrant the sacrifice. By the end of my conversation with the iPhone lady, she said she'd started to wonder whether it might be better to wait to make the purchase — the crack in her screen would be easy and cheap enough to fix. But she doesn't have a lot of other big expenses at the moment. It's not like her car's broken down, so she'll probably go ahead and buy a new phone. She feels like it's an investment in herself. Hart, the Illinois writer with a brand-new Stanley cup, sees some of her spending as a way to reclaim power.

"You don't have a choice in the economy and inflation and how that's affecting you, but you kind of have a choice in how much you let it alter your lifestyle," she said. "It feels like you're admitting defeat if you're just like, 'Well, now it's just expensive, so I won't do it.'"

In a hyperconsumerist society like the one we live in, it's a notion that tracks. Maybe we're all angry spending soldiers, refusing to be deterred.

Emily Stewart is a senior correspondent at Business Insider, writing about business and the economy.

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