Where should parents and grandparents of the bride and groom sit? Depending on the size and shape of tables you have, it's common to have a family table where the bride and groom's parents and grandparents sit together. Or, each set of parents can host their own table and be seated with close family and friends.
A Table with Close Friends. Sometimes parents of the couple simply want to sit with their friends. "We will often find that the parents are flanking the bride and groom's tables with the parents of the bride on her side and the parents of the groom on his side," says Laura Maddox, Partner at Magnolia Celebrates.
The bride's parents and grandparents are seated together, often with their children, children's spouses, and grandchildren if space is available. The groom's parents and grandparents are seated at another table, often with their children, children's spouses, and grandchildren if space is available.
At the reception, the bride's and groom's parents and other non-bridal party relatives will often all sit together. Having to navigate the challenges of a parent's divorce is something to keep in mind (or other more complex family circumstances).
Bride and Groom Seating at Reception
Typically, the bride sits on the groom's left, with the best man on the bride's right and the maid of honor on the groom's right. Head table seating is traditionally boy-girl, but you don't have to follow this tradition.
In Christian ceremonies, the bride's mother is always seated last and the groom's mother is seated just before her. The seating of the bride's mother usually signals the ceremony is about to begin.
It's up to you. The only couples at a wedding that don't usually sit together are the maid of honour and her partner, and the best man and his partner. This is because, traditionally, the maid of honour and best man sit at the 'top table' – whereas their partners don't.
Where should parents and grandparents of the bride and groom sit? Depending on the size and shape of tables you have, it's common to have a family table where the bride and groom's parents and grandparents sit together. Or, each set of parents can host their own table and be seated with close family and friends.
Traditionally, the parents all sit at the same reception table, along with siblings not in the wedding party, the officiant and his or her spouse (if they attend the reception) and any grandparents.
While the tradition holds that the groom's parents should make the first contact, these days it doesn't particularly matter who makes the first move (although the bride's parents may want to wait a few days, to give the parents of the groom a chance to honor custom).
"Traditionally, most couples would be have a long table facing guests, with the following seating arrangement (facing the table from left to right): chief bridesmaid, the father of the groom, the mother of the bride, the groom, the bride, father of the bride, mother of the groom and the best man," says Emma Murray- ...
5 minutes prior to ceremony: The groom's mother is escorted to her seat by the head usher, a son, or the groom. The groom's father follows and sits next to her. The wedding processional follows.
In most traditional Christian heterosexual weddings, the bride's parents sit in the first row on the left side of the aisle, while the groom's parents fill in the first row on the right side.
Traditionally, he walks down the aisle solo but some grooms prefer walking down the aisle escorted by both parents. Other grooms prefer a more subtle approach by entering the ceremony from the side of the venue (following the officiant and followed by the groomsmen) to take his place at the altar.
For a Non-Denominational or Secular Wedding
The groom might opt to escort his mother down the aisle and to her seat in the front row, followed closely behind by the groom's father. This gives the groom an opportunity to give his parents a hug before taking his place at the altar.
Again, the couple's parents may or may not walk down the aisle (they can also just take their seats as the procession begins). Traditionally, the groom's parents will go first, followed by the mother of the bride, but the couple may choose to be escorted down the aisle by one or both of their parents.
Parents and Wedding Party Are Optional
Not all introductions include parents, and some don't even include a wedding party!
As your “VIP guests”, it's customary to seat your parents at the next best table – ideally with the best view of you and your spouse. Traditionally, you would seat both sets of parents together at the same table, along with other immediate family members such as siblings and their partners.
This arrangement is typically traditional in Ireland- with the parents of the couples on either side of the grooms along with the maid of honour and the best man. Depending on preference, they can sit at the ends of the table or directly next to the couple.
Traditionally, the parents of the bride and groom had very distinct responsibilities. The parents of the bride host the wedding and the reception while the parents of the groom are in charge of organizing the wedding rehearsal dinner, and the list goes on.
The parents of the bride always sit in the first pew or row on the left, facing where the ceremony will be held; the groom's parents sit in the first row on the right. At same-sex marriage ceremonies, the couple might assign each family a side, and seat guests on "Bill's side" or "Kevin's side" accordingly.
Unbreakable Rule #1: RSVP Promptly
Prompt RSVPs are important because wedding venues and vendors require a firm headcount ahead of time. Plus, there's that all-important seating chart to consider. Don't make your bride and groom wonder if you'll be there, RSVP "yes" or "no" as soon as you can.
The bride and groom should be seated at the center of the head table, with their attendants flanking them. Some couples include the ushers in the wedding party table seating while others choose to reserve a table near the front of the reception for them. Flower girls and ring bearers usually sit with their parents.
The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn. She is the last to be seated before the bridal party procession begins.
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.