ceremony guests

The value of ushers at your wedding cannot be overstated. You can choose to include them as an official part of your wedding party or they can take a less formal role as greeters or hosts. The benefit of having ushers is hard to overstate. Here are ten ways ushers can help provide an outstanding ceremony experience:

1. Ushers can greet guests as they arrive, directing them to parking, restrooms and the ceremony space.
2. Ushers can make sure that programs, water, lap blankets or any other items you’ve planned for your guests’ comfort are in place and handled correctly.
3. Guests can be difficult to corral for the beginning of the ceremony. Ushers can move guests to the seats for an on time ceremony start.
4. They can ensure that grandparents and others you’ve reserved seats for find their spot.
5. Outdoor venues with grass can offer a trip hazard. Offering an arm to escort any guests who are unstable on their feet is a service ushers routinely provide.
6. Even if you opt for an informal ceremony and want your guests to choose their own seats, ushers can help let guests know that, along with which rows are reserved.
7. Ushers serve as an escort for parents or grandparents in the processional if other arrangements have not been made.
8. Once the processional begins, ushers can hold back any late arriving guests. Once the ceremony begins, they can help them discretely find seats.
9. Ushers can assist any guests who need to leave the ceremony space before the ceremony ends. Perhaps a parent with an unruly child needs to be directed to a quiet space. Or a guest urgently needs a restroom or shade.
10. And finally, ushers can release guests from their seats following the ceremony, and direct them to the appropriate location for after ceremony festivities.

While ushers have historically been male friends or relatives of the groom, you don’t have to follow that tradition. It can be helpful to have ushers who know both sides of the family to identify grandparents and others who should be seated in the reserved section. These days ushers can be women, men or a couple of any gender. Select people who understand the value of ushers and they’ll be appreciated by you and your guests. Great ushers can relieve stress and add a classy touch to the beginning of your wedding day.