Special Event Network

Head Usher (additional responsibilities)

• supervises other ushers and assigns certain aisles
• designates who escorts immediate family members

Ushers

• help best man with bachelor party
• pay for their own tuxes
• give a wedding gift to the bride & groom

Wedding Rehearsal

• attend the wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner
• listen to the instructions of the officiant. May have to assist in the last minute details on the wedding day.

Wedding Ceremony

• arrive at the ceremony site one hour before the ceremony, fully dressed in tuxedo for photographs
• distribute wedding programs and maps to the reception as guests arrive
• properly seat all guests and family members at the ceremony
• put pew ribbons in position if they are being used
• two ushers roll down the aisle runner, starting at the front of the church, after both mothers have been seated and just before the processional
• loosen the pew ribbons one row at a time after the ceremony if they are used
• direct guests to the reception site

Seating Guests at the Wedding Ceremony

• properly seat all guests and family members at the ceremony as follows: a) If male, walk along his left side. b) If female, offer the right arm. c) If a couple, offer the right arm to the female. The male follows a step or two behind.

• if a couple arrives together, the usher should introduce himself and shake hands with the male guest. The male guest should then introduce his female guest to the usher. If not, the usher may say "and your name is".

• ask guests if they wish to sit on the bride's side (left facing the front) or the groom's side (right facing the front)

• the ushers should know if there are special instructions (seating cards) for the seating of extended family, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, sisters, brothers, etc.

• maintain an equal number of guests in the left and right pews if possible

• if a group of guests arrive at the same time, seat the eldest woman first

• groom's mother is escorted to her seat (in the first row on the right facing the front) just prior to the processional

• bride's mother is escorted to her seat (in the first row on the left facing the front) after the groom's mother

• if the bride and groom's mothers are lighting the taper candles to the unity candle, they are escorted to the front so that they may light their candle before being escorted to their seat

• the grandparents are usually seated in the second row behind the parents

Reception

• dance with the bridesmaids and other important guests
• sit at the bridal or head table
• not required to be in the receiving line

Junior Ushers

• usually between 10 and 14 years of age
• dress in tuxedos like the other ushers
• arrive at the ceremony site one hour before the ceremony, fully dressed in tuxedo for photographs
• walk in the procession
• may help place pew ribbons if they are used
• may help seat guests at the ceremony

Compiled by the Special Event Network Staff