When you are planning your wedding, there are a host of things that need to be decided. You’ll be picking out your clothes, guests list, when to get married, where to go on your honeymoon, the décor, the cake, etc. Another area of your big day that needs to be figured out is the actual ceremony. After you decide where to get married, whether you will have an indoor or outdoor ceremony, you need to figure out the seating for the ceremony. There are many options to consider.
Ceremony Length
The average length of a wedding ceremony is about 20 to 30 minutes. Of course, some of this will depend on customs that are followed and religious backgrounds. Your friends and family will be more than happy to share their opinions about how your day should go. It is important to remember that it is your day, and you get to make the choice on how to celebrate.
Reserved Seating
One thing to consider for your ceremony is having specific seating for parents, grandparents, and other people that have been significant in both of your lives. You could section off various rows stating, “Reserved Seating”, or you could go one step farther and cut down on confusion by having each individual name placed on a specific seat. This way, as people are arriving and being seated, there will be less of a chance of someone sitting where another person was going to go.
Ushers
An usher can be used to escort guests to their seats. A need for an usher can depend on how your seating is laid out for the ceremony, if you were planning on having one of your attendants perform this role, and if you have many guests that are going to be present. The usher can make sure that each side is seated evenly. The usher can also be used to pass out programs if you have them, and point guests to a place to put their coats or point out the restroom, if available. The usher’s duties are only needed during the ceremony, and they are not considered part of the wedding party.
Line of Sight
When guests are seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin, they may be talking quietly among themselves. When the ceremony begins, the guests will be looking around to see as much of the ceremony as possible. At various times during the ceremony, they may be standing and sitting as well. One thing you want to keep in mind when arranging the seating and adding décor is that you are not obstructing any of your guests’ view. It is very disappointing to be at a wedding and miss the important parts because there is an obstruction in the line of sight.
Guest Comfort
If you have the option of choosing the seats that guests will be using, their comfort should be kept in mind. Even though the ceremony will be short, seating should be given as an option. Additionally, if you have guests who have special needs, seating will need to be adjusted for them as well. This will all need to be taken into consideration when the seating is set up. Most venues and planners understand this already and can place the seating in the perfect positions for everyone to enjoy the ceremony.
Children
Some couples opt to have an adult only ceremony and reception. If you have children invited to your day, then one thing to consider during the ceremony is to make sure that young children are not seated right next to the aisle. Obviously, this is something that can’t be controlled minus mentioning it to people who are bringing their children. It is just important that children are not running up or down the aisle, interrupting the ceremony, or worse yet, hurting themselves.
Which Side?
There are a few options when it comes to having family and friends seated for the ceremony. Some options might be decided by how many people have RSVP’d or how big each person’s family is. If one side has a lot more people than the other, you could post a sign stating something like “Choose a seat not a side” so there is an even distribution of guests. If you have an usher, they can help with this. Or you can have the guests pick based on which person in the couple they know or are related to. This can be accomplished by putting up signs directing guests which side pertains to which person. The seating options come down to what is most comfortable for you and your guests.
Your ceremony is an important step in your journey together. By working with the venue and thinking about your wishes, your ceremony can be planned out so that everyone spends their time focusing on celebrating you!
