With
the number of family and friends witnessing your big moment, you'll need a plan
to decide who sits where. Start by enlisting a few of your groomsmen as ushers,
or you can ask some relatives or friends to seat your guests. Generally there
should be one usher for every 50 guests. If you're having an intimate ceremony,
you may not need ushers, but you may want to put someone in charge of any
"sensitive" seating issues.
After
the mother of the bride is escorted down the aisle, the groom, best man, and
officiant take their places at the altar. At the start of the music the bridal
party begins their processional. It is up to you and your fiancé to decide
whether the groomsmen should escort the bridesmaids down the aisle, or just
wait for them at the altar. Whichever option you choose, the attendants should
be lined up according to height, from shortest to tallest.
The maid or matron of honor follows the rest of the wedding party, then
ring bearer and flower girl(s) will make their way down the aisle.
At this point, the guests should all rise in anticipation of the
bride's entrance. She is escorted down the aisle by her father, or significant
other, who stands at her right when presenting the bride's hand to the groom.
The ceremony begins when the couple turns to face the officiant.
