Question about seating etiquette

mahoganieyes

When you usually attend the wedding of a family member ie: cousin, non-immediate member where do you sit? I know typically the parents of the bride and groom sit at the very first seats and the next row is for family of the bride/groom. I was looking over my pictures lastnight and realized my dh dad's side of the family : aunt, her husband, daughter and friends of his aunt sat behind my mom. I did create reserved seating signs but left them at home but it kind of peed me off because I wanted my family to sit the next pew behind my mom and after that, the seating was open to everyone. I noticed several family members sitting far back and they arrived early enough to be seated at those seats.

I know my dh's mom  side sat behind his parents but I just think it was a bit rude for his dad side to take the pew behind my mom. I would've have loved for my family to have a nice view too! I know my cousin's wife mentioned weeks ago about not being able to see us jump the broom because of the view and I know why now. When I attend a wedding, I typically sit a few rows back if this person is not immediate family member. I will get over this but I wanted to know is this common for non-immediate family memeber to sit wherever? BTW...we had plenty of seating, so they could've sat the next pew back instead of that pew.

2010Bride2be

We reserved the first 2 pews for family members and the ushers knew who those people were. Anyone after that, they sat as they came. Ushers directed people to the next pew as they filled up.

Ex: when the third pew filled, ushers directed them to the fourth, etc, etc.

Also, we didnt do bride's side and grooms side after the 2nd pew.

mikimoto6

We did not separate seating by bride or groom side. We only held the first row on each side for special guests and the rest of the seating was open to anyone who was at the wedding.  Given that we selected our guests very carefully to get to the 64 guests, we were not really particular about where people sat.  

SunnyBB

I plan on using the reserved signs for the front rows and making sure those people know they need to sit there.  I read on here that it is good to discuss seating at the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner with family.  I am so sorry this happened to you, but I think without direction, people will fill up the seats in front so there isn't a gap.

MsAmeera25

Typically as a guest I don't sit in the first two rows of either side if i'm not immediate family.

Ksk2012

I do the same. I figure the immediate family will sit up front. To me is the same respect one would give to a funeral. You dont sit in the front unless it is your immediate family. I feel the same for weddings. When you go you find a good seat according to how close you are to the couple. If you are just a work friend and we dont even eat lunch together and your invite was just a courtesy.. then you are to the back!!!

 

mahoganieyes

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_question-seating-etiquette?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:7c86766d-1a22-46af-b309-e4c773f041efPost:97bdf95a-c9c9-474f-b09f-685a27cda18f">Re: Question about seating etiquette</a>:
[QUOTE]I do the same. I figure the immediate family will sit up front.<strong><font color="#ff0000"> To me is the same respect one would give to a funeral. You dont sit in the front unless it is your</font></strong> <strong><font color="#ff0000">immediate family.</font></strong> I feel the same for weddings. When you go you find a good seat according to how close you are to the couple. If you are just a work friend and we dont even eat lunch together and your invite was just a courtesy.. then you are to the back!!!  
Posted by Ksk2012[/QUOTE]


Thank you!

prncsz

To be honest our families sat all over the place. The first two rows were for the parents and grandparents in the wedding. Then we had people all over the place after that. The church had two aisles so it was just a blend.