Bridal party at the altar discussion

You could still have a wedding party, but after they walk down the aisle, have them sit in one of the first two rows! That way, it's just you and your fiancee at the altar, but you can still include your wedding party in the ceremony too.

They sat in the very front row. It's really whatever you and your fiancee want to do. Our ceremony was 20 minutes. I was okay standing there for 20 minutes, but some of my girls had some really high heels on. I've been in wedding parties where we had to stand the whole time and honestly I rather not!

I've been to many weddings (mostly Catholic) where the wedding party just sat in the front row for the entire ceremony.

I have seen it done (wedding ceremony singer here) where the bridal party sits in the first row on either side and when it is time for the vows only the best man and maid of honor stand and join the couple, since normally they are the official witnesses.
I have also seen that the best man and MOH just stand up and stay where they are, not coming to the side of the bride and groom. The beauty of it is, you can do it anyway you like. ❤

We are having our wedding party sit in the fron row after walking the aisle

We had a large bridal party at a small wedding. Only our MOH and best man stood up for us. The bridesmaids sat in the first row after walking down the aisle, and as each of them sat, a groomsman would sit (they had walked in from the side with my husband).

I think it is totally fine. My husband was a groomsman in a Catholic wedding and only the bride, groom, maid of honor, and best man stood at the altar. The groomsmen and bridesmaids sat in the front row after they walked down the aisle. My sister-in-law got married at her house on a dock on the water and she and her husband were the only ones to stand at the "altar". The maid of honor and best man sat with their families after walking down the aisle.

Thank you all for your replies, such good ideas!

Commonly one will take the bouquet or whatever and all sit in the first seats, get up again for the recessional. Quite common, and for children too.

So many great ideas posted! I think having them sit in the 1st row is fine. This day & age, anything goes!

You can have a wedding party but have them sit down after they walk down the aisle.