I recently found this article on Formal Ushering. The way this fellow describes it makes it sounds very formal and proper, and I really like that. I've never seen this done at a wedding, most weddings we've been to recently did not have ushers at all.
I think it sets a formal tone for the ceremony and I love the idea that someone is greeting the guests and welcoming them, when the bride and groom are unable to do that. While there's nothing technically wrong with having a sign that says "please seat yourself or Pick a seat not a side" I kinda feel like this would just class it up a bit.
http://aom.is/A6XQ9(Sorry its a bit of a read)
My questions are:
1. The article doesn't cover how many ushers you need per how many people - if anyone knows a good ratio please share.
2. Would formal ushering look silly at a non-religious outdoor ceremony?
3. How would you explain this to your ushers, so that they take the role seriously, and not feel like its unimportant?