Ceremony Seating Protocol For The Mothers

'The Seating of the Mothers' traditionally begins the wedding ceremonial procession down the aisle to their designated seats of honor.

With blended families, the seating has become more complicated. In the case of step mothers it is not as common for them to proceed down the aisle unless they have had a hand in raising the bride or groom, or are thought of as an honorary mother. Taking into consideration that all family dynamics are different, one must decide if it is best for his or her family to have their step mother partake in the Seating of the Mothers.

In the blended family processional, the step mother is escorted down the aisle in front of the biological mother. The mother of the bride is always the last person to be seated. This signals that the ceremony is about to begin and that no other guests may be seated or escorted to their seats through the center aisle.

Ceremony Seating image by Kevin Kramer Advantage Photography.

The Order Of The Ceremonial Procession

In all weddings the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom have a designated role of honor in the wedding ceremony processional.

The following is the general protocol for the Ceremonial Procession in order:

The Step Mother of the Groom can be escorted down the aisle by:
The father of the groom.
An usher.
An usher with the father of the groom following behind them.

The Step Mother of the Bride can be escorted down the aisle by:
The head usher.
A groomsman.
Other family member.

The Mother of the Groom
is traditionally escorted down the aisle by the father of the groom. She may also be escorted by the head usher or the groom himself. If remarried, the current husband may choose to follow behind his wife, or escort her to her seat himself.

The Mother of the Bride
is escorted down the aisle by the best man, or other family member. If remarried, the current husband may choose to follow behind his wife, or escort her to her seat himself.

Seating of the Mothers image by Kevin Kramer Advantage Photography.

Coordinated Ceremony Seating

Provide specific and advanced instructions to your ushers for seating arrangements. This is especially important when you will have divorced family members in attendance. The parents of the bride are seated in the first pew on the left while the parents of the groom are seated in the first pew on the right. The immediate family follows in the pews behind the parents of the couple.

When parents are divorced, the bride’s mother (and step-father if remarried) will be seated in the first pew on left. Other members’ of the bride’s mother’s immediate family are seated directly behind her. This includes grandparents, aunts and uncles. However, they should not take up more than two pews. The bride’s father is seated in the next pew back, following the mother’s immediate family, with his wife and their family. The Grooms family follows the same scenario above. In the instance where the divorced family is amicable with one another and all are in agreement, both bride’s and groom’s parents may share their respective pew with stepparents.

Photography by The Luxurious Wedding Photography Team.