Weddingbee boards

Hi Rebecca. I'm neither Jewish nor Catholic but my DH and I did have an interfaith marriage (I:pagain, him: more or less christian).

1) We did undesignated seated and let everyone know that when they came in the door. Granted we were having a rather informal, casual wedding so it worked for us. We still sat his family on one side and mine on the other so they could have the closest seats. Unless someone seats you and asks if you want the bride's side or the groom's side, I don't think anyone is going to think twice about it. In fact, we put the family opposite the person. So My DH was on the right looking toward the "alter" area and his family was on the left. That way they could see his face instead of his back and visa versa.

2) I think as far as who escorts whom, it's whatever works for you! I would have your MIL "sat" somehow. But then again, this is a tradition I like, so it's one I chose to keep. You can do whatever works for you. I like the acknowledgement of the mothers, but that's just me. A family friend would be fine. I don't know what you FIL's role in the ceremony is but it would be ok for him to escort her down the isle and then join his son at the alter say if he's the best man. Or heck! Let her walk down unescorted. She's a grown woman, I think she can find her own way. ;-) Whatever she's most comfortable with. Oh, another idea would be to have your FI escort her down and then walk back out so he can enter with the Officiant/Best Man whatever you guys are doing.

3) I wouldn't worry too much about the standing. The way I'd address it is to mark in the program where the audience is supposed to stand for instance for the recessional. And then just don't mark the bridal entrance. Also, it's usually the mothers of the bride and groom who lead the standing. So if people are doing what they are supposed to do and looking to the mothers then there won't be any problem. If you wanted to you could do a little thing about the two religious traditions in the program and talk about how you are combining the two. "For instance, today we are chosing to observe the Jewish tradition of not standing whent he bride walks down, but also observing the Christian tradition of ____________". That would give you the opportunity to address anything you were worried about.

4) Most of the weddings I've been to the cheering happens after the kiss and then again when the couple is presented for the first time as husband and wife. But cheering starts then just politely smile and wait for it to die down and then go on with the glass breaking. It'll only feel awkward if you guys look awkward. Just give you rabbi a heads up so that he/she knows to roll with the cheering if it happens.

Good luck!!!