For a Christian or civil wedding, when seating guests, the Bride's side is the left side of the site (when looking down the aisle from the back) and the Groom's side is the right side. Ushers should ask each guest which side they would like to sit on.
Before the ceremony is to begin, traditional weddings have formal seating - -
Reserved Seating
Seating of the Parents and Grandparents
Seating Divorced Parents
Guests That Arrive Late
Reserved Seating
Two or three of the front rows on each side should be reserved for immediate members of the family and close friends. Those people who should sit in these reserved seats or pews are notified by pew cards or by word of mouth.
Most weddings use the word-of-mouth approach. It is most important to make sure those closest to you know where they need to be seated. It is not totally left to the ushers or the Wedding Liaison to coordinate this because many times we do not know what they look like.
Seating Divorced Parents
This is the standard seating but can be varied according to the bride or groom's feelings. Bride/Groom's mother and stepfather sit on the front row at the aisle. Bride/Groom's mother and stepfather's children sits directly next to them. The Bride/Groom's father, stepmother and his immediate family will sit on the second row.
Seating the Mothers and Grand(parents)
The Groom's grandmothers are seated first - escorted by an usher and followed by their spouse or significant other if they are still living. They are usually seated on the second pew on the right side of the site (unless the seating of divorced parents is followed above). If only the grandfather is alive, an usher may escort him down the aisle. Unless the grandfather needs assistance, the usher and the grandfather walk side-by-side.
Next the Bride's grandmothers are seated - escorted by an usher and followed by their spouse or significant other if they are still living. They are usually seated on the second pew on the left side of the site. Unless the grandfather needs assistance, the usher and the grandfather walk side-by-side. The usher for the grand(parents) can be a member of the family if possible - sons, grandsons, etc.
Next the Groom's mother is seated on the front row on the right side of the site. The Groom's mother should be escorted by an usher followed by her spouse or significant other.
And finally the Bride's mother is seated on the front row on the left side of the site. The Bride's mother should also be escorted by an usher. If her spouse or significant other is not the Bride's escort, then he will follow behind the usher and mother. Or the husband (Bride's escort) will join her after giving their daughter away.
Guests That Arrive Late
After the bride's mother is seated, no guest should be seated from the center aisle. If anyone arrives after this they must wait and then use a side aisle to be seated, if possible.
Reserved Seating
Two or three of the front rows on each side should be reserved for immediate members of the family and close friends. Those people who should sit in these reserved seats or pews are notified by pew cards or by word of mouth.
Most weddings use the word-of-mouth approach. It is most important to make sure those closest to you know where they need to be seated. It is not totally left to the ushers or the Wedding Liaison to coordinate this because many times we do not know what they look like.
Seating Divorced Parents
This is the standard seating but can be varied according to the bride or groom's feelings. Bride/Groom's mother and stepfather sit on the front row at the aisle. Bride/Groom's mother and stepfather's children sits directly next to them. The Bride/Groom's father, stepmother and his immediate family will sit on the second row.
Seating the Mothers and Grand(parents)
The Groom's grandmothers are seated first - escorted by an usher and followed by their spouse or significant other if they are still living. They are usually seated on the second pew on the right side of the site (unless the seating of divorced parents is followed above). If only the grandfather is alive, an usher may escort him down the aisle. Unless the grandfather needs assistance, the usher and the grandfather walk side-by-side.
Next the Bride's grandmothers are seated - escorted by an usher and followed by their spouse or significant other if they are still living. They are usually seated on the second pew on the left side of the site. Unless the grandfather needs assistance, the usher and the grandfather walk side-by-side. The usher for the grand(parents) can be a member of the family if possible - sons, grandsons, etc.
Next the Groom's mother is seated on the front row on the right side of the site. The Groom's mother should be escorted by an usher followed by her spouse or significant other.
And finally the Bride's mother is seated on the front row on the left side of the site. The Bride's mother should also be escorted by an usher. If her spouse or significant other is not the Bride's escort, then he will follow behind the usher and mother. Or the husband (Bride's escort) will join her after giving their daughter away.
Guests That Arrive Late
After the bride's mother is seated, no guest should be seated from the center aisle. If anyone arrives after this they must wait and then use a side aisle to be seated, if possible.