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Wedding
Ceremony Seating
Getting Organized
While brides and grooms are busy choosing the wedding cake and attending
fittings, many don’t stop to think about how important a good seating
chart becomes for their ceremony. There is a grave misconception that
seating arrangements for a wedding only involve placing family and
friends of the groom on one side of the church, while the family and
friends of the bride are arranged on the other side. While this is a
commonly chosen method of matrimonial seating, there are plenty of other
approaches to consider, as well as factors that make a seating chart a
success. Below are some of the variables to consider when deciding who
should sit next to whom during the wedding ceremony:
Closest Family and Friends: The first people deserving of an assigned
seat are closest family members and friends of both the bride and groom.
Usually, it is the first couple of rows that are set aside for the most
important people in the lives of the married couple-to-be. Grouping
family and friends are often a safe bet. Those involved in the wedding
party should sit closer to the front with remaining individuals arranged
close behind.
Children and Babies: It is rather common to see a few children or babies
attending a wedding ceremony, meaning the potential to hear crying
lingers in the air. To prepare ahead of time for very young children,
save a place on the side of the seating arrangement so parents may
quickly exit with a child they need to calm down during the ceremony.
Elderly Guests: When grandparents and other elderly guests attend a
wedding, you should keep in mind that they require a place to sit that
is easy to access and also provides a good chance to effectively view
the wedding ceremony. The side of the rows is often easier on elderly
people so they don’t need to push their way through crowds of guests.
Guests With Height: How tall a guest is will sometimes pose a problem in
the seating chart of a wedding. Unfortunately for them, a seat in the
back accommodates most guests who will have their view of the ceremony
blocked if they sit behind someone with height. Since they are tall,
sitting in the back will still provide them a good view of the wedding.
Leave a Row or Two in the Back: Some couples prepare for the unexpected
and any late arrivals by leaving a couple of rows in the back empty and
unassigned. This also accommodates parents with children, or someone who
had to step out because of coughing or sneezing and do not want to
interrupt the rest of the ceremony.
Religion: For couples following a traditional religious wedding, there
are certain ways of seating to follow according to faith. For example, a
Jewish wedding traditionally seats the guests of the bride on the right
side, while a Christian wedding places the family and friends of the
bride on the left side of a church (facing the alter).
Special Needs: Another factor that affects a wedding seating chart
includes guests who may possess special needs, such as a walker,
wheelchair, or crutches. Usually, these guests should be seated first
and have assigned assistance to enter and exit the wedding ceremony.
Special Seating: In many weddings, reserved pews are sometimes set-aside
for the parents, siblings, and grandparents of the bride and groom.
Usually, it is the first or second pew on both sides of the church.
Often, these pews are decorated or marked with flowers, ribbons, or
reservation cards.
Feuding Family Members and Exes: Wedding guests who show the highest
chances of fussing and fighting with one another should be seated as far
apart as possible. This may include divorced parents and step family
members.
The Proper Way to Seat Guests
To make sure family and friends reach their assigned seats, two or more
designated ushers will assist in following the correct seating chart.
Generally, one usher per every 50 guests is reasonable. After a seating
plan is drawn up, additional details should be written or explained to
ushers.
An usher usually gives his right arm to female guests and escorts her to
her place in the ceremony. Couples can walk together, following behind
the usher. If the venue size is large enough or one family has more
guests than the other, seating may not involve assigned sides of a
church and may find seats on either side of the church. This will also
even out the seating and help fill the church from the front to the
back. An usher should alert guests to this type of seating arrangement.
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