Ceremony Seating
Not only do you need to figure out how to get everyone down the aisle, but you must also figure out where everyone is going to sit. There are places of honor to consider, as well as divorces and remarriages to take into account.
Pick a Side, Any Side
Which side of the aisle is appropriate for the bride's family? The bride's family traditionally sits on the left side of the church for a Christian ceremony, while the groom's family sits on the right. The reverse is true for Reform and Conservative Jewish weddings. However, men and women are usually segregated in Orthodox Jewish weddings.
Fact
Guests are seated as they arrive, from front to back. The mothers of the bride and groom should be seated just before the ceremony begins. Sometimes the grandparents are seated just prior to the mothers. Late-arriving guests are usually asked to wait until the bride has walked the aisle.
What does “within the ribbons” mean? In some ceremonies, the first few rows of pews or chairs are sectioned off by ribbons, meaning they are reserved for family and very special friends. It is not necessary to provide this kind of seating, but if you do, include “within the ribbons” cards with the guest's invitation. The guests should bring this card and present it to the ushers so that they can be seated appropriately.
Family Distractions
My parents are divorced. Where should they be seated during the ceremony? Typically, parents are seated in the first row (or in the second if the attendants will be seated during the ceremony). In the case of divorce, the bride's natural mother has the privilege of sitting in the first row and of selecting those who will sit with her, including her spouse if she has remarried. If your divorced parents have remained amicable, your father may sit in the second row with his spouse or significant other. He may also sit in the front row if all parties agree to it. If there is some acrimony between the two parties, however, your father should be seated a few rows farther back. However, if you have been raised by your stepmother and prefer to give her the honor, she and your father may sit in the first row, while your mother sits farther back.
Where should my siblings and grandparents be seated during the ceremony? Your siblings should sit in the second row, behind your mother and father. Grandparents sit in the third row, and close friends and relatives sit in the fourth.
