Family Wedding Etiquette

The couple is the center of a wedding, but the family plays a major role as well.

A wedding day is a special time in the eyes of the couple. Family and friends might consider it a special day, too. Oftentimes, couples work out every detail to create the perfect day. One part of that includes practicing wedding etiquette. Family plays a major part of a wedding, which emphasizes the importance of family wedding etiquette.

Introductions

After the engagement announcement, both families get together to celebrate the engagement and start the planning process. Everyone discusses the date, location and wedding size as well as style. It is a time to determine how involved each parent and family member may want to get in the process. The budget will usually be discussed, as well as who is planning to pay for what services.

Bridegroom’s Family

Each family has wedding etiquette to follow.

The bridegroom's family gives a complete guest list to the bride’s family by a determined date. This includes accurate addresses. It is important to stay with the number of guests provided by the bride. The bridegroom's mother talks to the bride's mother about what they are going to wear. They wear styles and colors that look good together. His family takes care of the bridegroom’s guests, such as the overnight accommodations. The bridegroom's parents also host the rehearsal dinner. Some bridegroom families have started paying for other elements of the wedding as well. This often includes music or a bridegroom’s cake. Other options are items related to the bridegroom and his wedding party.

Bride’s Family

The bride’s family helps her plan the wedding. Her mother is usually responsible for making sure all the plans get made, from making reservations to picking out dresses. The mother makes sure the guest list is formed in time for invitations to be addressed and mailed. The bride’s family helps the guests find accommodations, if needed. Both mothers usually light the unity or family candle, as well as stand to indicate when the bride enters the ceremony. The father of the bride escorts his daughter down the aisle. Then he dances with his daughter at the reception for a special dance.

Sitting Family

The bride’s side sits at the left of the aisle and the bridegroom’s side sits on the right. Family areas are in the front, starting with the mothers having the front row aisle seats. The fathers sit beside them. If there is a stepparent, they sit by the spouse or the mother sits by herself. It depends on preference. The father then sits in the second row on the aisle side beside his spouse or alone. Grandparents are next. Depending on room, they will sit with the parents or in the next row. Other family members fill in accordingly. The bride’s mother seats last.

Reception

Family weddng etiquette continues at the reception.

Guests are greeted at the door. It starts with the couple, bride’s parents and bridegroom’s parents, followed by the rest of the wedding party. It is important for the parents to introduce themselves and their guests to others. The reception starts by introducing the bride’s parents as they enter, followed by the bridegroom’s parents and then grandparents, if desired. It continues with introducing the wedding party, then the wedding couple.

References

• Perfect-Wedding-Day: Wedding & Bridal Etiquette
• Mrs. Party: Wedding Etiquette