Choosing Sides

• In a traditional Christian ceremony, the bride's family typically sits on the left side of the church, or on the right side for Jewish ceremonies. In a civil ceremony, seat people on the side on which you will stand during the wedding ceremony.
  
  

Parents

• Traditionally, parents of the couple sit in the first row. It is acceptable to seat the parents in the second row if the attendants will be seated during the ceremony.
  
  

Divorced Parents

• If the parents are divorced, the mother should be seated in the front row with whomever she chooses. The father should then sit in the second row. If the divorced parents are on bad terms, the father should sit several rows back.
  
  

Close Family

• Siblings and grandparents should be seated in the second row or directly behind the parents.
  
  

Seating Order

• Proper wedding rules indicate that guests will be seated by an usher on a first-come basis. The usher should seat guests from front to back starting at the row behind where the family will be seated.