What is the “best” way to have the parents, relatives, and wedding guests seated before the ceremony begins?
A. There are also no “right” or “wrong” answers here. First of all, it is customary, but not necessary, to have ushers seat the wedding guests. Groomsmen can also double as ushers until the ceremony begins. Usually the Bride’s family and friends sit on the left side (as you approach the front), while Groom’s side is on the right. But many people opt to have general seating, with no specified “Bride’s side” or “Groom’s side.” Also, if there are a lot of people waiting and it is close to the starting time for the ceremony, the ushers should not hold the guests up to be seated, but simply direct them to find their own places. Second, as far as when to seat “latecomers”, you should be aware of what they do at “black tie” events like the symphony, opera, or a Broadway theater. As soon as the performance officially begins, the doors are closed shut, and no late-arriving guests are admitted until the intermission. This is out of respect for the performers, and for those in the audience who ar
