What about the Ushers?

[ams0124]

So I''m not super educated when it comes to the usher role...Not sure how many, what they do, where they stand, etc.
Could someone please teach me about ushers?

Is there a certain number of ushers you should have per guest?
Do they really walk everyone to their seats?
Where do they stand during the ceremony?
What is their main responsibility?
Any other general information?

Currently our guest list is at 160, and we have 2 ushers...do we need 1 more? Does it matter?

TIA!!

 

[bee*]

We''re having two ushers as well-one from my side of the family and one from his. We''ve 150 guests coming. We''re not really asking too much of ours in that they really only have to say hi to people coming in and let them know which side of the church to go to and to give them mass booklets. I don''t think that it really matters if they''re there or not but my cousin is dying to do it so he can meet all the guests on the way in (he''s very sociable!).

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

My SIL had one usher for a wedding of 80 guests, he stood on the inside of the doorway at the church, greeted people on their way in, told them which side was which and handed out the order of service booklets.

My SIL was advised to have someone that was not immediately imoprtant to be the usher as they needed to sit at the back once the ceremony started because it was not advisable to have someone doing the job who was going to have to walk all the way down to the front once everyone was already seated. (hope that made sense?)

She used her cousin''s (who was maid of honour) son.

 

[meresal]

Date: 5/12/2009 5:27:15 PM
Author:ams0124
So I''m not super educated when it comes to the usher role...Not sure how many, what they do, where they stand, etc.
Could someone please teach me about ushers?

Is there a certain number of ushers you should have per guest?
Do they really walk everyone to their seats?
Where do they stand during the ceremony?
What is their main responsibility?
Any other general information?

Currently our guest list is at 160, and we have 2 ushers...do we need 1 more? Does it matter?

TIA!!

We have 200-250 guests and will have 3 ushers. I think 2 will be perfect for your size.
-They walk as many people as possible.
-The ushers sit in a pew during the ceremony. They become a regular guest as soon as everyone is seated. Just like a house party member that helps with sign-in table.
-Main responsibility is helping guests get to their correct seats, or side. You can also pu tthem in charge of helping any elderly get in and out of the venue and/or cars and the beginning and end of ceremony.

HTH

 

[ams0124]

Thanks ladies!! I knew you could help...

Here''s another question: Do the ushers walk grandparents and mothers down the aisle? FI thinks they do, and I always thought that the groom does that...Is that another "whatever you want is fine" type of thing?

 

[lucyandroger]

I''ve been to a few weddings where the groomsmen were the ushers. They handed out programs and seated guests. Then once all the "regular" guests were seated, the groomsmen walked the mothers up the aisle and took their places next to the groom.

 

[tlh]

Date: 5/13/2009 11:34:16 AM
Author: ams0124
Thanks ladies!! I knew you could help...

Here''s another question: Do the ushers walk grandparents and mothers down the aisle? FI thinks they do, and I always thought that the groom does that...Is that another ''whatever you want is fine'' type of thing?

you are both right. Both are ok.

I think the rule is 1 usher for every 50 guests... just makes things a little simpler for the groomsmen.

Best wishes!

 

[bensbride]

We have 250-300 expected guests and we have 4 ushers. Part of this is that I have two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a teenage nephew that I wanted to be a part of the wedding, but my FI had close friends that he wanted as groomsmen. I think it will work okay.

I''ve seen it both ways with escorting the grandparents/mothers/Father of the groom, etc. My FI will escort them.

 

[jet2ks]

Date: 5/13/2009 12:17:03 PM
Author: lucyandroger
I've been to a few weddings where the groomsmen were the ushers. They handed out programs and seated guests. Then once all the 'regular' guests were seated, the groomsmen walked the mothers up the aisle and took their places next to the groom.

This is actually what we are doing in part. My brother and a good friend are the groomsmen and will also usher with my brother seating my parents and grandma. Fiance's brother will usher, seat her mother and is also walking her down the aisle. We are expecting 200-250 guests.

Neither one of us had other relatives we really wanted to be part of the wedding, so decided on this.

I've heard the 1 usher per 50 guests, but a lot depends on how your venue is set up and what you are expecting. If you have a large venue and want the ushers to actually seat every group of guests (more formal wedding), the 1 for 50 is probably a good rule of thumb. A smaller venue or if you just want the ushers to direct instead of seat (more casual wedding), 2 ushers is probably plenty for 160 guests.