When someone hires you to professionally plan their wedding, they’re looking to you as the THE wedding expert.  Are you ready to handle the questions they will send your way?

• Do we need ushers AND groomsmen?  Is there a difference?
• The wedding reception is 45 minutes away from the church, is that too far?
• Do we simply write ‘Adults Only’ on our wedding invitations?

Find out the answers to these wedding etiquette Frequently Asked Questions and more.

Podcast: Play in new window

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Wedding Business Guide DayofWeddingBusiness.com – Get access to downloadable forms, online tutorials, live monthly teleseminars and more to help you start and run a successful day-of wedding business.

USHERS VS. GROOMSMEN?

Although these  two words are often used interchangably, when it comes to weddings, their roles are different. While a groomsman is officially part of the bridal party, an usher is not.

Traditionally, ushers:

• Escort guests to their seats before the wedding ceremony (primary responsibility)
• Roll out the aisle runner
• Act as general source of info for wedding guests
• Are responsible for their own wedding clothing – should get direction from the groom

Traditionally, groomsmen:

• Stand with bride and groom during ceremony
• Support groom through the wedding planning process
• Attend pre-wedding activities
• Help the best man to plan bachelor party
• Pay for their clothing – coordinates with the groom’s

Groomsmen can also serve as additional ushers for larger guest list, or, act in lieu of ushers and THEN join the wedding party.

AISLE RUNNERS

Despite their popularity with brides, I have yet to have a positive experience with an aisle runner at a wedding!

Traditionally, the aisle runner is displayed right before the bride and bridal party walk to the altar – signals an important point in the ceremony

Decorated, custom runners, however, deserve the honor of being displayed before guests arrive. In this instance, simply block access to the main aisle and have guests enter from outside aisles.
Beware!

For outdoor weddings or uneven or soft ground I would suggest doing without the aisle runner altogether. It’s way too dangerous.

Use rose petals, topiaries or something equally beautiful to delienate the outdoor aisle.  But if your clients insist, place plywood or something equally firm underneath, first.

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR BETWEEN THE CEREMONY AND RECEPTION?

Ideally, try to limit the travel time between ceremony site and reception to no more than 30 minutes.  Be sure to provide good directions and consider taking the time to drive the route before the wedding day. Doing so helps you and your staff to give wedding guests the best directions.

If you’re unable to avoid huge gaps between the ceremony end time and the  reception start time, be prepared to provide wedding guests with ideas for what to do–e.g. sightseeing.

WHEN/HOW SHOULD WE BUSTLE THE BRIDE’S GOWN?

Many brides want a gown with a long train, but it’s cumbersome to walk around at reception.  Thankfully, the art of bustling results in a floor-length gown

Bustling happens between the wedding ceremony and the wedding reception – after wedding photos are taken.

Depending on the design of the bridal gown, bustling can take several minutes so decide who will do this (a bridal party member PLUS one of your event managers…just in case) and assign the time to do this on your production day schedule. It’s also a good idea to keep a needle and thread in your emergency kit in case the bustle is too heavy and needs support.