The Role of Wedding Ushers Explained

When choosing the wedding party, the bride and groom tend to focus on bridesmaids and groomsmen -- the folks that will be standing at your side as you take your vows.  But, in truth, they have it easy compared to the often overlooked role of the ushers.

I believe that ushers have the hardest job of anyone in the wedding party.  You may think that they simply greet guests.  But there is so much more that goes into ushering, which brides and grooms sometimes don't realize when they are selecting their ushers.

Yes, the first responsibility of ushers is to greet guests and direct them to their seats.  But this seemingly simple task can be chaotic in reality.  They have to remember which rows are reserved for family, and they may have to figure out who your Aunt Bertie is among a sea of unfamiliar faces to ensure that she gets a seat on the aisle for her reading. Or if most guests are transported on a shuttle from the hotel, the ushers will end up with a mass of people to seat all at once, with 10 minutes to go before the ceremony.  Sometimes guests congregate outside the church, lost in conversation, and the ushers will have to ask them repeatedly to go inside to be seated so the ceremony can start on time.

The next responsibility of ushers is to lead the grandparents and parents to their seats immediately before the processional begins. This task means they have to remember where each set of grandparents and each set of parents sits.

In addition, if there is an aisle runner, it is the ushers who roll the runner down the aisle, as everyone looks on.  Again, a seemingly simple task that can often be complicated by uncooperative runners that bunch up or stick. 

Lastly, at the conclusion of the ceremony, the ushers are often called upon again to manage the crowd.  Ushers may have to encourage lingering guests to exit the sanctuary so the bride and groom can take photos, or they may have to corral people onto awaiting shuttles. 

Because of the big responsibility that comes with the role, choose your ushers wisely.  You want responsible and conscientious friends or family members who understand the importance of the day and want it to go smoothly for you and your guests.

Make it easier on your ushers by including them at the rehearsal. Introduce them to any family members that will be getting special seating.  At the rehearsal, your wedding coordinator can go over their responsibilities with them and explain proper ushering etiquette.

Finally, be sure to thank your ushers.  If you're getting your groomsmen a gift, include your ushers.  If your wedding party is being announced into the wedding reception, include your ushers.  They are a big part of ensuring that your wedding day goes smoothly.

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Quick Tip: The Importance of a Decorative Hanger

One of the classic shots that I see nearly every wedding photographer take is the photo of the wedding dress hanging by itself on a door or in a window with the light shining on it.  You can help the photographer to create a beautiful photo by avoiding an unsightly wire or plastic hanger.  I recommend to all of my brides to prepare for this shot by being sure to put the dress on a decorative hanger before wedding day.

I like these ones available on Etsy.

By LynnClaire

By Jannyfay

Happy Planning!

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Sally & Tom: Urban Oasis

Sally and Tom brought a beachy vibe to the heart of downtown Chicago.  The clean, white lines of the Art Institute were the perfect backdrop for the sandy tans and baby blues, creating an urban oasis for the happy couple and their guests. Check out the fantastic photos of the event by John Andrews Photography!

The ceremony was performed at Grace Lutheran Church in La Grange.

Bubbles filled the air as the Bride & Groom exited the church.

After some photos around Chicago, the couple entered the Art Institute via the Nichols Bridgeway.

Framed photos of past family wedding portraits decorated the guestbook table.

High and low centerpieces created texture in the reception room.

Menu cards informed guests of the delicious meal to come.

With cupcakes and an ice cream bar, the food was never-ending.  As the guests departed, they topped off the night with a box of Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies from the favor display.

Guests had a blast taking photos during the reception and posting them on a photo board.

As a wedding coordinator, I sometimes have to put on my negotiating hat. It took some convincing, but we got the bridge opened back up to capture some great night shots of the city lights.

Congratulations Sally and Tom!

Vendors:

Reception Venue - The Art Institute of Chicago

Photographer - John Andrews Photography

Videographer - 3/9 Productions

Band - The Orchestra 33

Cupcakes - Tiny Dog Cupcake

Florist - The Flower Firm

Lighting - Plan It Perfect

Wedding Coordinator - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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Flower Petal Aisle Runners

I love twists on traditional wedding decor.  For inspiration, here are some creative floral alternatives to the traditional aisle runner.

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Mia & Jason: Love & Vino

I loved working with Mia and Jason, who not only seemed to treasure wedding details as much as I do but also reminded me how special a smaller wedding can be.  The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and their closest friends and family surrounded them with love.  Peter Coombs Photography captured their intimate, wine-themed wedding beautifully.  Check out the photos!

Howes Chapel in Evanston was a charming venue for the ceremony.

Lighting of the Unity Candle

I thought this was a fantastic photo by Peter Coombs, reflecting how we so commonly rely on our gadgets to capture life's special moments.

The escort cards were placed in corks to go along with the wine theme of the wedding reception.  Each table was named after a type of wine.

Instead of a guestbook, we did a wishing tree. I snapped this photo of the empty branches before they were filled with the well-wishes and advice from the happy couple's guests. A framed poem explained the wishing tree procedure to guests.

Soon the branches were filled with dangling tags and heartfelt words.

Another photo by me of the tablescape in the Beringer Wine Room at Wildfire. Instead of table numbers, each table was named after a type of wine, and the table signs were displayed in decorative frames.

I took this quick snapshot of the place setting. At each setting, there was a menu and a custom CD for each guest.

Congratulations to Mia & Jason!

Vendors:

Reception Venue - Wildfire 

Photographer - Peter Coombs Photography

Florist - Whoopsie Daisies

Cake - Sarah's Pastries

Ceremony Music - Moeller Music

Wedding Coordinator - Camille Victoria Weddings LLC

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Quick Tip: Mapping Out the Route for Wedding Guests

If you're providing driving directions for your wedding guests with your invitations or in your hospitality bags, be sure to actually drive the route before having the directions printed.  Chances are you got the directions off of Google or Mapquest, which may not be up-to-date with construction and detours.  So, check to make sure not only that the directions are accurate but also that they are easy to understand and follow. 

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Beating the Heat: ideas for keeping cool at an outdoor summer wedding

With outside weddings, brides can get so concerned with warding off rain that they may forget about the other weather culprit -- the heat.  Here are a few ideas that you can use to make your guests more comfortable at a hot summer wedding.

• Print your programs on paper fans.
• Provide an outside table or bar with lemonade, ice tea, water, or even fun daiquiris or pina coladas prior to the ceremony start.
• Have a few baskets stationed around the ceremony area with sunscreen, bugspray, and sunglasses for guests to use.
• Have ushers escort people to their seats using parasols to block the sun.  Ushers can then even give the parasols to the guests to use while they wait for the ceremony start. (Just be sure they direct guests to close the parasols once the ceremony begins so everyone can see.)

Outdoor weddings can be beautiful and memorable.  Taking just a few steps to keep you guests cool will ensure they enjoy the scenery and remember your wedding for the right reasons.

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