10 Things
Your Ushers Should Know
By
Elizabeth Watts
Here’s
everything your ushers need to know for the big day, from their
job description to guest-seating etiquette. You might want to
print this out and give a copy to each of your ushers.
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All ushers should be at the location about 45-60
minutes before the ceremony will begin. Upon their arrival,
they should put on their boutonnieres if they haven’t
already. Boutonnieres can be tricky to put on (especially
for nervous fingers) so, it’s a good idea to have someone
there to help them.
-
Ushers should smile, be friendly, and greet the guests
as they escort them to their seats.
-
Traditionally, the usher offers his right arm to the
woman (the oldest woman if a group or family is being
escorted). Another option: the ushers can walk the guests to
their seats rather than offering their arm.
-
Family and friends of the bride are seated on the left
side of the aisle (facing the altar) and the groom’s family
and friends on the right. If one side of the church becomes
more full than the other, the ushers should begin seating
guests on the other side.
-
Based on the guest list, you should have a good idea
of how many to expect on both sides. If you know one side of
the family will have more guests, then instruct your ushers
ahead of time to “fill in” the more empty side.
-
After all the guests are seated, the parents of the
groom are seated. Sometimes the groom’s mother is escorted
by the groom. Next the mother of the bride is escorted in,
sometimes by the best man or the head usher.
-
The first pews are reserved for immediate family of
the bride and groom, and the parents sit in the front pew.
Be sure to instruct the family and the ushers ahead of time
on who should be sitting where, especially when it comes to
divorced parents. If the parents are divorced, the father is
seated in the row behind, or if the parents get along well
they can be seated in the same pew.
-
Once the groom and best man are in place at the altar
the ceremony is ready to begin.
-
After the ceremony is completed and the wedding party
has recessed, two ushers will escort the mothers back down
the aisle. Some mothers prefer to walk back with their
husband - in this case, the usher will simply lead the
couple out.
-
Then, the ushers will help escort or direct the rest of the
guests out of the church beginning with the front pews and
working their way back.
Alternative: Some couples now go back down the aisle and
release each pew after greeting their guests, in lieu of a
receiving line.
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