what to do with ushers?!

robinv10

My fiance and I have been thinking about asking two of our male friends to be ushers in our wedding. I am a little apprehensive about this, mainly because I don't know what the ushers do exactly. Where do they sit/stand during the ceremony? Where do I place them during the reception? Are they introduced during the reception? Thanks for your help and advice!

jagore08

If you don't know what ushers do then why do you need them?  I'm really not trying to be a smart a** but really, why?  

vicki0508

Ushers escort guests to their seats.  When the ceremony starts, ushers go sit with their family.  Ushers do not get introduced, and sit with their families at the reception.  You don't get to dictate what ushers wear, because they aren't in the WP.

Summer2011Bride

In our circle, ushers are considered part of the WP. They usually seat guests and sometimes dismiss the pews/rows after the ceremony. We are having ours introduced and they're sitting at the head table with us.

vicki0508

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ushers-12?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6d7f29d4-9b4b-43fb-943b-da3dd5f6f054Post:8d3bfc4e-5e4e-4039-9e2a-cce61de395b0">Re: what to do with ushers?!</a>:
[QUOTE]In our circle, ushers are considered part of the WP. They usually seat guests and sometimes dismiss the pews/rows after the ceremony. We are having ours introduced and they're sitting at the head table with us.
Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]
Head tables make me sad :(

StacyJenniges

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ushers-12?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:37Discussion:6d7f29d4-9b4b-43fb-943b-da3dd5f6f054Post:8d3bfc4e-5e4e-4039-9e2a-cce61de395b0">Re: How much to tip?</a>:
[QUOTE]In our circle, ushers are considered part of the WP. They usually seat guests and sometimes dismiss the pews/rows after the ceremony. We are having ours introduced and they're sitting at the head table with us.
Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]


This is the way it is in our circles as well, the only thing that is different is that they sit at a reserved table with our families and the families of the groomsmen and bridesmaids.  And actually in our circles if the groomsmen are wearing tuxes they get tuxes as well but the tie is black. 

RebeccaB88

Around here, they're part of the WP too, although a more minor one.  They escort guests to their seats, then sit somewhere with the guests (end of the pews, etc) during the ceremony. Then they might dismiss guests after the ceremony.  That's pretty much it, and they don't have responsibilities beyond that.  They usually dress like the groomsmen.  You pretty much only see them at formal or large weddings, figuring that small or casual groups can seat themselves adequately.  More for show and a little organization than anything else.

jemmini6

I'm having two of my male friends be ushers.  I'm not asking them to rent a tux or anything, I'll probably just buy them a yellow tie (our wedding color) to wear for the ceremony (they can take it off, change it, whatever afterwards) just so they are relatively distinguished as part of the wedding.  They will sit at a table with the rest of my friends, as will other people in the wedding party (we aren't doing a head table).

But I agree...if you don't know what ushers do, then you really shouldn't have them.

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ushers-12?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6d7f29d4-9b4b-43fb-943b-da3dd5f6f054Post:e37d4dea-c51d-4f86-9b15-ca012d011a5d">Re: what to do with ushers?!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: what to do with ushers?! : Head tables make me sad :(
Posted by vicki0508[/QUOTE]


Why? All the SO's are sitting there with us, which I know is this huge big freakin' deal here on TK, so if that's what's making you sad, cheer up, sunshine. That wasn't what the post was about either, and sort of an unnecessary comment.

kristeno90

  My brother is our usher and he is wearing a shirt and tie that coordinate with the wedding colors. He is going to sit with our parents at the family of the bride table.

vicki0508

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-party_ushers-12?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:37Discussion:6d7f29d4-9b4b-43fb-943b-da3dd5f6f054Post:e6cc8a89-80c0-4d04-8487-3711026995f7">Re: what to do with ushers?!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: what to do with ushers?! : Why? All the SO's are sitting there with us, which I know is this huge big freakin' deal here on TK, so if that's what's making you sad, cheer up, sunshine. That wasn't what the post was about either, and sort of an unnecessary comment.
Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]
You're allowed to like them, I'm allowed to dislike them.  It's no reason to get all huffy about it.

It's great that you're letting the SOs tit with them, but I find it really hard to talk to people at the head table.  At around tables, it's easy to have conversations.  Head tables limit you to only talking with the people directly next to you.  It's just awkward, that's all.

janicejab

  We're having all female ushers. They will help people to their seats and help dismiss people after the ceremony. We have 4 ushers because we have a few people with mobility challenges and want to be sure they get seated right away and the ushers will move their walkers aside and bring the walkers back to them after the ceremony. They'll do the same for people with strollers. The usherettes will wear whatever they want and we will give them flowers (corsage or flowers for their hair or whatever they want) to distinguish them as ushers. We also plan on buying them a thank you gift.

robinv10

My fiance wants to make sure that these guys are a step above regular guests, because they are good friends of ours