Well, this is true for the most part. But most officiants are really more concerned with the flow of the ceremony itself; getting everyone down the aisle is secondary. I'll talk more about creative ways to get your wedding party down the aisle in another post but today I want to talk briefly about another step that is often overlooked; the formal seating that precedes the processional.
Before your wedding party takes their place at the alter there are some important people who should be sat only once the rest of your guests are seated. These folks include your parents and often your grandparents as well. You can also include additional people of importance who you may want to honor on the day. Keep in mind though that this portion should not be too long (no longer than one song... or more specifically, 1 to 3 minutes in length).
IN WHAT ORDER ARE THE PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS SAT?
The rule of thumb for the order in which to seat these VIPs is groom's side then bride's side categorized in reverse-order of importance -- did you get that?
Let me give you an example using the grandparents and parents for both sides:
1. Groom's paternal grandparents
2. Groom's maternal grandparents
3. Bride's paternal grandparents
4. Bride's maternal grandparents
5. Groom's parents
6. Bride's mother
The bride's mother is always sat last (assuming the father of the bride will be escorting her down the aisle). The seating of the bride's mother signals the other guests that the processional is about to begin.
WHAT IF THERE ARE STEP-PARENTS?
If there are step parents in the picture the groom's father and new wife will be sat before the groom's mother and new husband. For the bride's side, if the father is escorting the bride down the aisle the step-mother would be sat alone before the mother of the bride is sat.
If the mother of the bride is re-married she may be escorted down the aisle by her new husband or by one of the ushers/groomsmen with her husband following behind.
WHO SEATS WHO AND HOW?
Your VIP guests may be escorted down the aisle by an usher, a groomsman, or a close friend or family member (typically a male). The escort will offer the female guest his right arm and escort her to her seat. If there is a husband/date as well he will follow in behind. When the group reaches the guest's seat the escort will use his left hand to signal the guest to her place.
HONORING A DECEASED PARENT DURING THE PROCESSIONAL
If there are any deceased parents to be honored you might have the escort carry a candle or photo down the aisle and place it in the parent's seat.
OTHER SEATING TIPS
1. Don't start the formal seating until everyone else in the wedding party is ready to go... you don't want a big gap between the formal seating and the processional.
2. Assign someone to guard the door once the formal seating begins. You don't want a tardy guest strolling down the aisle in the middle of the seating/processional. Have late guests wait out of sight until the ceremony begins.
Do you have any questions or comments about formal seating during a wedding ceremony processional? Let me know!
Happy Planning!
Sophie
Something Blue: The Wedding Workbook
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