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Do we need ushers and altar boys?

Mapper71Mapper71
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in Catholic Weddings
We want to have a simple, relaxed wedding. We don't want to have brides family sit on one side and grooms on another because he's going to have like 10 people there and I'm going to have more like 100. We just want people to sit wherever they want. We are also probably just going to have just a regular cermony and no mass included. Are ushers necessary at a Catholic wedding? I've never been to a wedding where there aren't any ushers, but I just don't see the need for them. Also I imagine the priest will need at least one altar boy. Do we have to provide one or will the church provide one?
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Re: Do we need ushers and altar boys?

  • Theresa626Theresa626 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    My church is providing the altar server.  You'll need to ask your priest that.  I'm also letting people sit where they want.  I plan on having people to pass out programs and tell the guests that they may sit where they'd like. No escorting  necessary. 
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  • meltoinemeltoine member
    First Anniversary First Answer First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Neither is necessary. Priests perform even full masses every day without altar servers, so you definitely don't need them, especially if you aren't having a full mass. 

    Ditto on the ushers, everyone can find their own seat, though be aware that without specific instruction and possibly even with it, most people will still divide themselves into the bride and groom's sides.
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  • alliecarrie41alliecarrie41 member
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker First Comment
    edited December 2011
    my church required them, yours may not.  i think it's an expected and nice touch to include them.
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  • dogluver315dogluver315 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Our 2 GM are acting as ushers and my FI's niece and nephew will be our altar servers as they do it every week at their church, so they have experience.
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  • Calypso1977Calypso1977 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    you do not need an altar boy(s) if you are not having Mass.
    you also do not need ushers.

    we had 2 altar boys as we had Mass, we gave them $40 each.  we had no ushers, i've honestly never understood these.  always seemed strange to me that an usher would take the arm of the lady to seat her while her male companion followed behind them. 
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  • Theresa626Theresa626 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    Calypso, I agree, it is kind of strange. I went to a wedding a couple weeks ago with my fiance and was almost surprised when the usher hooked my arm and led me to a seat as I looked behind and watched him follow us down the aisle by himself.  It felt awkward. 
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  • Calypso1977Calypso1977 member
    First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Answer Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    i really think they are just filler, for folks that want to include a crap ton of male attendants in their wedding and feel the need to give them "roles".
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  • AmandaS23AmandaS23 member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I'm glad someone asked this because I was actually wondering about the alter servers myself.  I'm not having any ushers...I figure most people can walk down an aisle to a pew and sit down.
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