? about your weddings

[cuteASAbug]

what's the difference?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

what's the difference?

Ushers are in charge of getting people to their seats. Groomsmen just walk up the aisle w/ the bridesmaids - they are basically male bridesmaids. Since it takes guys a lot less time to get ready than girls, the ushers and groomsmen often are the same people.

[KSUViolet06]

Most weddings I've been to have had different people ushering (not the groomsmen).

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by cuteASAbug

what's the difference?

The main responsibility of groomsmen is to attend (basically stand with) the groom during the ceremony. They may also have informal responsibilities -- planning a bachelor party, being responsible for decorating the get-away car, acting as escorts for bridesmaids at pre-wedding events or the reception, etc.

Ushers show people to their seats before the wedding. Often (as in almost all the time, in my experience), the groomsmen act as the ushers.

I had no ushers aside from my groomsmen. I have been to a few weddings where the groomsmen acted as ushers but where there were also a few extra ushers. My nephew's wedding last year was the first wedding I ever attended (in 40+ years) where the ushers were an entirely different group from the groomsmen.

Originally Posted by 33girl

Groomsmen just walk up the aisle w/ the bridesmaids - they are basically male bridesmaids.

Maybe it's a regional thing (or maybe I'm reading your post too literally-- quite possible, I admit), but I've never seen groomsman walk up the aisle with bridesmaids. I'm used to seeing (and doing, the times I have been a groomsman) the groomsmen come in first, followed by bridesmaids. They do escort the bridesmaids out, though.

Side question: Although I don't always see this tradition followed, it is very much the tradition in these parts for the groom to ask his father to be his best man. Do people see that elsewhere?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Maybe it's a regional thing (or maybe I'm reading your post too literally), but I've never seen groomsman walk up the aisle with bridesmaids. I'm used to seeing (and doing, the times I have been a groomsman -- quite possible, I admit) the groomsmen come in first, followed by bridesmaids. They do escort the bridesmaids out, though.

I've only ever seen groomsmen one time, and they walked up w/ the maids.

I think this is definitely a regional or maybe a city vs. country thing.

[KSigkid]

I had 7 groomsmen, and they served both functions. Before the ceremony, they ushered people to their seats. During the ceremony, they stood next to me. They walked back up the aisle with the bridesmaids after the ceremony was completed.

[RaggedyAnn]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Maybe it's a regional thing (or maybe I'm reading your post too literally), but I've never seen groomsman walk up the aisle with bridesmaids. I'm used to seeing (and doing, the times I have been a groomsman -- quite possible, I admit) the groomsmen come in first, followed by bridesmaids. They do escort the bridesmaids out, though.

Side question: Although I don't always see this tradition followed, it is very much the tradition in these parts for the groom to ask his father to be his best man. Do people see that elsewhere?

Who is escorted down and when also varies by religion. I did a lot of research on this trying to accomodate the recent divorce of my inlaws. I also had both of my parents walk me down the aisle, which is traditionally Jewish I believe, where as Roman Catholics traditionally just have Dad.

It depends on who you want here for a Best Man. I have seen Dads, but also brothers, friends and sons.

[LucyKKG]

Originally Posted by RaggedyAnn

I also had both of my parents walk me down the aisle, which is traditionally Jewish I believe, where as Roman Catholics traditionally just have Dad.

This made me think of something similar (well, kinda). Has anyone seen a bride get walked down the aisle by her father and step-father? I feel like they did that at a wedding I went to a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure.

I'd kind of like to do that (someday), but I don't want to hurt either of their feelings. (Step-dad for being excluded or Dad for not being the only one) What do you think?

Btw, my step-dad and mom have been married since I was ten.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

This made me think of something similar (well, kinda). Has anyone seen a bride get walked down the aisle by her father and step-father? I feel like they did that at a wedding I went to a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure.

I'd kind of like to do that (someday), but I don't want to hurt either of their feelings. (Step-dad for being excluded or Dad for not being the only one) What do you think?

I've never seen it, but I have heard of it. It's your wedding and you want to make it happy for everyone - I would go for it.

When a friend of mine remarried, her daughters (7 & 9 at the time) walked her down the aisle and then "gave" her in marriage. It was cute.

Then she promised to love, honor and OBEY...not so cute.

[APhi Sailorgirl]

Originally Posted by LucyKKG

This made me think of something similar (well, kinda). Has anyone seen a bride get walked down the aisle by her father and step-father? I feel like they did that at a wedding I went to a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure.

I'd kind of like to do that (someday), but I don't want to hurt either of their feelings. (Step-dad for being excluded or Dad for not being the only one) What do you think?

Btw, my step-dad and mom have been married since I was ten.

Yes I had sorority sister do this at her wedding. I thought it was great and a way to honor both men in her life.

[Scully]

I've seen Roman Catholic weddings proceed in a number of ways - Groomsmen already standing up front and waited for the Bridesmaids to enter; where the groomsmen walked down the aisle single file followed by the Bridesmaids; and Goomsmen/Bridesmaid paired up while walking down the aisle.

Our Monseignor let us choose the way we liked best. My husband and I preferred the latter. He walked his mother to the altar and my father walked me. At her own wedding, one of my best friends (who was not talking to her father at the time of her nuptials) walked down the aisle by herself - halfway - and her husband met her halfway up the aisle from the altar and they walked arm in arm back towards the priest. It was very touching.

As far as Ushers - we didn't have any. Groomsmen were just Groomsmen! Although I had two of my younger girl cousins stationed by the church doors handing out wedding programs. I'm sure they did double duty letting everyone know where to sit, as well!