Ceremony party position

I am actually considering this as well! My fiance has 6 groomsmen and I have 6 bridesmaids, and we're debating between reserving the front row for them to sit during the ceremony (except the MOH and best man, who would be up at the altar with us), or just having everyone stand at the altar. I don't think it's too many people to have at the altar (unless your ceremony space is super tiny), but it's totally your decision! I recommend looking through wedding ceremony pictures on Pinterest or Google to see which look you like best. Look at both options with your fiance: pictures where everyone is at the altar, and pictures with just the MOH and best man, and decide together which option you like best. Also consider your ceremony length: if it's an hour ceremony, maybe give them the option to sit. Otherwise, if it's short, you could go either way.

I've only seen this done once and it was because the ceremony was going to be long. Otherwise, I have always seen the bridal party stand with the couple, but it is completely up to you.

For my brother's full Catholic wedding, there were 5 per side and we were in the front row (a lot of sit-stand-sit-stand involved, including the bride and groom).

For my cousin's wedding, their wedding party stood off to the side the entire time. There were maybe 6-7 per side. It was a shorter ceremony (not at a church or other a traditional religious wedding) and they stood a little bit father away from the bride and groom, not directly next to them.

It's totally up to you, though! If you're having a religious wedding, maybe just check with the church as they may require you do to something specific. We're planning on having our wedding party stand with us, but we have plenty of room up front for them and our ceremony will probably be 20-30 minutes tops (non-religious).

That is a great idea! i also don't think 6 on each side are too many standing though. i had 5 each side and it didn't feel like that much

Unless it is a long (hour plus) religious ceremony, the attendants stand up front with the couple. The families sit in the front rows.

Each Catholic wedding I've been to has had the bridal party except for the MOH and best man, who stand at the front. I can't imagine that anyone would think it was weird for you to do at a normal ceremony!

It depends on the type of ceremony going on. Usually in a catholic church when everyone (the wedding party) is walking down they all stand there until the bride makes her way to the alter. The priest would then usually have everyone to take a seat other than the bride and groom (sometimes there is a special seating for them at the front other than the pews). The wedding party would usually be seated in the front row.
When my cousin had her wedding in Hawaii by a minister, everyone in the wedding party stood off to the sides until the end of the ceremony (only lasted about 10 minutes).

Unless there is a valid reason for them to sit (a 60+ minute ceremony), I would make every effort possible to have them stand or not have any attendants. Even then, there is seating off to the side that does not infringe on the front row for family.