Destination Weddings Discussions

Are you standing on the left or right?

 This might be a really dumb question but I saw it posted on another board and I am curious. 

Traditionally the groom stands on the right and the bride on the left.  I think my "good" side is my left which means I would need to stand on the right.  But I've also always wondered why you stand with your back to your family.  To me I want to see "my" person's face.

So here's my question I guess.  Has anyone considered standing on the opposite side so you can face your family instead of FI's?  I might really like to do this.  

Re: Are you standing on the left or right?

  • HAHA!  Yeah I can hear this comment.  I doubt I will really do it but I would like to.
  • sld0618sld0618 member
    500 Comments
    I've never seen it done this way, but you can do whatever you want to do :) I would be prepared for everyone that sees your pictures saying did you know you're standing on the wrong side?
  • In Response to <a href="http://destination.weddings.com/Sites/weddings/Pages/main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_destination-weddings_standing-left-right?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Theme BoardsForum:54Discussion:5eab68d8-13b5-45cd-90e7-f0aa0a84ecd8Post:ecc60a4b-a322-4a84-a9b1-32ed12e4667f">Re: Are you standing on the left or right?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Actually, the side you stand on, historically, has nothing to do with having your back to your family or one side being the bride's family and one side being the groom's family.  It dates way back to when women and men sat on separate sides of the church during services.  The women would sit on the left, the men on the right.  And why did the women sit on the left and men on the right?  It has to do with well, Jesus was seeted at the right hand of the Father, in Catholic churches Joseph is traditionally to the right side of Jesus (although technically on Jesus' left side) and Mary on the left.  So because of all of this, the right hand side is seen as the side of power. So technically, where you stand is a very dated and no longer applicable tradition so I say stand where you want!  We're actually getting married in a circle (our guests will be standing and circle around us) so there won't be a left side or a right side (or a brides side or a grooms side which is the point of the whole circle thing).
    Posted by JCWhitey[/QUOTE]

    I am very impressed that you actually know where that comes from! Haha.

    To answer your question I am planning on standing which ever direction faces the wind, I don't want my hair flying in my face. That is honestly what I think about, haha.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_destination-weddings_standing-left-right?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:54Discussion:5eab68d8-13b5-45cd-90e7-f0aa0a84ecd8Post:32a53597-850b-4984-9cc1-867255cdceda">Are you standing on the left or right?</a>:
    [QUOTE] This might be a really dumb question but I saw it posted on another board and I am curious.  Traditionally the groom stands on the right and the bride on the left.  I think my "good" side is my left which means I would need to stand on the right.    
    Posted by aukelly[/QUOTE]

    <div>
    </div><div>Haha i am the same way, and I am standing on the right side so my left of my face is towards the people - there is no right and wrong, its whatever you want, I have been to weddings with both!</div>
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  • I'm standing on the right. Since we can't have a religious ceremony in CR, that's my litttle nod to a Jewish ceremony. I already told FI and he's fine with it. Since we won't have many guests, I figure they can just stand in a semi circle and see both of us well.
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  • Actually, the side you stand on, historically, has nothing to do with having your back to your family or one side being the bride's family and one side being the groom's family.  It dates way back to when women and men sat on separate sides of the church during services.  The women would sit on the left, the men on the right. 

    And why did the women sit on the left and men on the right?  It has to do with well, Jesus was seeted at the right hand of the Father, in Catholic churches Joseph is traditionally to the right side of Jesus (although technically on Jesus' left side) and Mary on the left.  So because of all of this, the right hand side is seen as the side of power.

    So technically, where you stand is a very dated and no longer applicable tradition so I say stand where you want!  We're actually getting married in a circle (our guests will be standing and circle around us) so there won't be a left side or a right side (or a brides side or a grooms side which is the point of the whole circle thing).

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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddings.com/Sites/Weddings/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-theme-boards_destination-weddings_standing-left-right?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Theme%20BoardsForum:54Discussion:5eab68d8-13b5-45cd-90e7-f0aa0a84ecd8Post:ecc60a4b-a322-4a84-a9b1-32ed12e4667f">Re: Are you standing on the left or right?</a>:
    [QUOTE]Actually, the side you stand on, historically, has nothing to do with having your back to your family or one side being the bride's family and one side being the groom's family.  It dates way back to when women and men sat on separate sides of the church during services.  The women would sit on the left, the men on the right.  And why did the women sit on the left and men on the right?  It has to do with well, Jesus was seeted at the right hand of the Father, in Catholic churches Joseph is traditionally to the right side of Jesus (although technically on Jesus' left side) and Mary on the left.  So because of all of this, the right hand side is seen as the side of power. So technically, where you stand is a very dated and no longer applicable tradition so I say stand where you want!  We're actually getting married in a circle (our guests will be standing and circle around us) so there won't be a left side or a right side (or a brides side or a grooms side which is the point of the whole circle thing).
    Posted by JCWhitey[/QUOTE]


    Hmmm, really? I've always heard that itwas for a man's sword arm to be free to protect his bride from being kidnapped. But your reason is interesting too!

    I am standing on the left side. It works out that my right is my "better side" so we are just going with the tradtion.
  • Hahaha I'm with Laura, my right side is my better side. But in all honesty we would have done it whatever way was better for us, so I say make yourself and FI happy ;0)
  • I'll probably stand on the right now that you mention it  because that's my good side! But we don't have a huge group coming and we'll probably all just be standing together on the beach so it's no big ordeal. I like the idea of "your people" seeing your face. I'm actually quite surprised I haven't seen that before.
  • In Response to Re: Are you standing on the left or right?:

    The way our officiant does it, he stands with his back to the guests and we stand facing them which I think is really cute. So I probably will stay on the left since I have no preference.

    I say do whatever makes you comfortable! It's a DW so traditions are kinda out the window ;)
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  • im standing to the left.  but i didnt really think about it at all, or care.   my good side is my left, but whatever.   that being said, if you wanna stand on the right, stand on the right.  and if people tell you youre on the wrong side, just say"nope, im on my side.  it was my wedding, and  I STAND WHERE I WANT!!" 

  • Ahahahahah!  Too funny.  I'm actually going to be standing on the left because of Mike.  He has a hearing aide in his right ear that he rather not have showing in all of our pictures.  So, he's on the right, I'm on the left.  Done deal.
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