Grandparents of the couple may also sit at the parents' table. The couple may choose to sit with their parents, too. In some cases, the parents may choose to sit at separate tables with close family members or friends.
Our wedding etiquette expert is here with the answer. 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.
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.
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.
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 is then seated between his bride and her father, with the groom's mother on his right and the best man next 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.
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. Alternatively, you may prefer to give each set of parents their own table, allowing them to sit with more of their immediate family and close friends.
Groom's parents
It's optional to honor the groom's parents by having them walk down the aisle. They can be seated after all of the guests and before the mother of the bride.
From walking down the aisle first to last, the traditional order is: Mother of Bride, Mother of Groom, Grandparents of Bride, Grandparents of Groom, Groom, Officiant, the Wedding Party, Maid of Honor and Best Man, Ring Bearer, Flower Girl and lastly the Bride and her Father.
As the mother of the groom, in addition to helping the couple with select planning tasks, you'll have an important role in the wedding party on the big day. Because of this, you'll need a special outfit for the nuptials.
Family Tables
The parents of the couple often sit opposite each other at a large family table, with grandparents, the officiant and other close friends. Another option is for the parents to head their own tables, with their close family members and friends.
Wedding reception introductions are usually offered by the wedding DJ or an emcee. This act opens the activities of the wedding reception and it serves to offer formal introduction of the couple, bridal party, and their parents to the wedding guests.
Traditionally, the newlyweds sit in the middle of the table, with the bride seated to the groom's right. Same-sex couples can feel free to seat themselves as they'd like. For a male/female pattern around the table, seat the best man next to the bride and the maid of honor next to the groom.
The first row is for parents of the bride and groom, and members of the wedding party who may need a seat during the ceremony. The second row is for siblings of the couple who are not in the wedding party. The third row is for grandparents and siblings who do not sit in the second row.
Traditionally, the groom's parents are the ones to plan and host the rehearsal dinner. They are usually also responsible for hosting any other welcome parties for the rest of the guests. They may want to utilize the couple's wedding planner to help with the event, or they can choose to plan it all on their own.
As the wedding begins, the groom's mother will be escorted down the aisle, to the first pew, right-hand side, by the head usher or a groomsman who is a family member. A nice touch includes the groom escorting his mother down the aisle. As the groom's mother is escorted to her seat, her husband will follow along behind.
The Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right. The Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride. The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.
Walk Down the Aisle
Chief among father of the groom duties is walking the groom's mother down the aisle. If the groom's parents are divorced and the father is remarried, they should, instead, escort their new spouse down the aisle and to their seat.
Groom and Parents
He walks down the aisle escorted by his parents, with his father on his left and mother on his right. It is customary for the parents of the groom to stand with the couple under the chuppah, on the left side, for the duration of the ceremony.
Parent Dances
Sometimes, parent dances occur immediately after the first dance. Other times, these dances will take place toward the end of dinner, after the toasts, or after the cake cutting. For heterosexual couples, bride dances with her dad, and then the groom dances with his mom.
Traditionally, the bride's family sits to the left side of the aisle, while the groom's family takes the right. However, modern trends allow guests to sit on either side of the aisle, instead of adhering to a formal wedding seating chart. Make sure the parents always get the front row and sit near 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.
A: The Mother of the Bride needs to coordinate with the Mother of the Groom and decide whether they will be wearing long or short dresses, but both are acceptable.
Traditionally speaking, though, the bride's family pays for the bulk of the wedding—venue, reception, photographer, flowers, etc. As such, the mother of the bride is typically more 'in charge' of these things (along with the bride, of course) than the mother of the groom is.