When you're seating them, just use your best judgment. If they're both integral to one friend group, it's better to seat them together than seating one with the main group and the other with strangers. But if you can split them off into two separate tables of equal importance, that might be your best bet.
Whether or not your parents walk down the aisle together at your wedding is truly a choice best left up to you and them. Gauging everyone's comfort levels will help you navigate the best scenario for you and your family.
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.
Just simply have a discussion with them and ask if they'd be comfortable walking in together. Or ask if they'd prefer to walk in alone, with another family member, or with their new partner or spouse. You should look to respect their wishes and not force them to do anything they're uncomfortable with.
The parents of the couple often sit opposite each other at a large family table, with grandparents, the officiant and other close friends.
Seating Parents and Grandparents — Parents and grandparents are usually seated at the same table. The bride's parents and grandparents are seated together, often with their children, children's spouses, and grandchildren if space is available.
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.
A Groomsman
This is the traditional choice and gives the guy another few moments in the spotlight. If the bride has a stepmother, she would be escorted to her seat by a groomsman before the mother of the bride; the bride's mom should be the last person to be escorted down the aisle, just before the bridal party.
In many traditional weddings, the father still gives away the bride. In modern weddings, however, it can be anybody. The most important consideration is that the person is someone with whom the couple trusts and feels comfortable. “I think couples should ultimately do what works for them and their family,” said Mahler.
Traditionally speaking, your mother will be on the front as mentioned above (with her significant other if in attendance), and her immediate family will be directly behind her in the next row back. This generally would place your stepmother on the third row back in the second seat from the aisle.
Seating Arrangements
With divorced parents and in-laws, this task can get a little bit tricky. Whether your parents remain on distant terms or not, etiquette dictates that you should seat your mother in the first row and your father in the second row. Then, fill each of the rows with their own immediate family members.
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.
With Both Parents
In the tradition, the bride's father is on her right and mother on her left as they walk toward the chuppah. You can swap the sides, but it's a heartfelt way to include both of your parents in your wedding ceremony.
If the Groom's mother wishes to be escorted by someone else, it can be another son or close family member; otherwise, it is nice to have an usher walk the mother of the groom down the aisle so she doesn't need to walk alone (unless she wants to — and that is up to her).
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.
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.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.
A ring dish or jewelry box is a great wedding day gift. Many ring dishes and jewelry boxes can also be personalized with the bride's new name and wedding date to make it a keepsake she will never forget. If you want to give a really generous gift, you could gift a piece of jewelry with the ring dish or jewelry box.
When it comes to paying for the wedding, there are differing views. While traditionally the bride's parents were responsible for hosting (and paying for) the entire celebration, today many couples join both sets of parents in contributing.
This is determined by seating. It's totally up to the bride and groom to choose where they want their parents to sit on this special day. Etiquette dictates that the biological parents sit together in the first row of the church, and any stepparents sit two or three rows behind.
"Include your stepmom in whatever way feels right to you." If, however, bad blood runs between the women, consider splitting up wedding tasks based on their interests and skills. "The last thing you want to do is to set yourself up for a poisonous environment on one of the most important days of your life," adds Sipe.
Father/Daughter & Mother/Son dances - This really comes down to the dynamics in your family and what you want. Generally, Mom & Dad get the dance, but sometimes an extra song is added for the Stepparent because they have been so influential in their lives. If you question whether they would be open to it, just ask!
Both Parents
A regular tradition in Jewish ceremonies, many couples in other cultures and denominations are opting to have both of the bride's parents escort her down the aisle. It's seen as a gesture of respect, honoring the parents who had a hand in raising her and guiding her through her life to this next step.
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.