Weddingbee boards

My mom and I have been brainstorming how to deal with ceremony seating. Because of large and blended families, our reserved seating section is pretty complicated. The first few rows have specific seating, so as to make sure the right people have a good view and sit with those they would like to sit to, not vice versa.

I liked the idea of ushers seating all our guests, but I don't really know who we would ask. I don't want our groomsmen to do it, since I know FI is going to be want to be spending quality time with them before the ceremony. Also, my mom pointed out that ushers are more suited to formal church weddings. Our wedding will be outside, in the morning, and not super traditional.

SO, my lovely mother came up with idea for "usherettes" - two of her very good female friends will direct the guests as they enter. They are really nice people, and also very capable, so I know they'd do a great job. They will have a clipboard with seating assignments will just greet guests and ask their name, and then direct them to the correct row if they have reserved seating, or say, "Take a seat wherever you like on either side behind the first five rows," if the guest doesn't have a reserved seat.

As a guest, what would you think of this? Does it feel too "VIP party"? They have warm personalities so they would be graceful about it. I hope this is a happy medium but what are your thoughts?

To clarify, we aren't having assigned rows for everyone, just specific people on the first few reserved rows. We want to make sure the first two rows are for specific people, and then the three rows behind that are for extended family. I just don't like the "first come, first served" idea because I have a large family and there are special people that I want to have a good view. But for everyone that isn't in the reserved section, they will be instructed to sit wherever they like. Also, this way I think people won't leave half a row completely empty because of strained family relationships, if different people from different parts of my family get different rows. Does that make sense?

So yes, they will need the clipboards, to keep track of which people get reserved seating and so forth. That's why I was asking if it will feel too "VIP party" like, because they will ask their names to see if they have a reserved row or not.

I think it sounds fine! =) I would make sure to check with the ladies to make sure that they'd be fine with doing it, though.

Thanks Jenniphyr. I don't want it to feel overly orchestrated - like, "Hmm, why are they asking for my name like this is some exclusive nightclub?", haha, but my goal is for all my guests, especially close friends and family, to sit someplace where they will be comfortable and have a good view.

We're of course going to ask them if they'd like to perform that role, but knowing them they will want to do something. It will keep them from running around and working too hard!

Usher-ettes, actually sounds like a cool idea. There are no rules stating that a woman can not usher guests at a wedding. I say do it as long as the chosen usher-ettes want to do it.

Sounds like a great idea to me!