• Ushers usually ask “bride or groom”, and direct guests to seats on the left or right side of the venue according to tradition - bride’s family and friends on the left, and groom’s on the right.  
   
• If there is an imbalance in the seating and large areas are empty, ushers should use their discretion in directing people to the gaps.  
   
• Good ushers make sure the front rows are reserved for the bridal party and close family.
   
• At least one usher remains at the back during the ceremony and directs late guests to any available seats.
   
• Ushers should know where the lavatories are, both at the ceremony venue and the reception, to direct people as required.
   
• If the ceremony and the reception are in different locations, the ushers should be able to give guests directions as required.
   
• Some guests will turn up to the reception bearing gifts or cards.  The ushers should be responsible for collecting these and keeping them somewhere safe.
   
• Ushers can be a huge help in directing people for any formal photos - if you plan in advance with the photographer then whilst one group of people is being photographed (e.g. the bride and her family), the ushers can be gathering together the next group (e.g. the groom and his family).
   
• The ushers should have a list of local taxi firms to hand, and help to arrange taxis at the end of the evening.

Of course, you need to make sure your ushers know all of this and are properly prepared!  On the day, it’s a good idea to have your best man “manage” the ushers, so you can concentrate on the important business of getting married.

Choosing the Ushers

Who chooses?

This is the groom’s job.  Technically they are “your” ushers.  In reality, you will have to take your fiancee’s views into account when choosing them. Asking someone to be your usher is a great way of making them feel included in the wedding, and gives important brothers, cousins and friends a role.

How many?

The standard rule of thumb is to have one usher per fifty guests, but you can never really have too many.  Remember that if the groom, best man and fathers of the bride and groom are wearing formal attire, it is common for the ushers to wear the same.  If you are hiring outfits, this means that every extra usher adds to the costs of the wedding.   

Groom’s outfit

Gift for best man

What do they do?

Ushers help the wedding run smoothly by directing guests, dealing with any small issues that crop up, and generally helping out in any way they can.  

• Ushers should stand outside the venue and greet guests on arrival.
   
• If there is a written order of service at the ceremony, the ushers will hand these out as the guests arrive.

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