Family in the first few rows at ceremony.

Put reserved signs on the end of the rows

ETA-hopefully they know that the front rows are reserved for them.

They are roped off at my church usually the grandparents and parents sit in the same pew

Second pew is godparents and the start of family.

Instruct the usher's on how you want people seated as well.

I agree with PP. Tell them. Also, will you have ushers? They generally can help get people where they need to be.

Put a reserved sign at the end of each of the front few rows. Make sure your family members know they have reserved seats, so those rows don't end up empty!

I don't have ushers. All the VIP's are in the wedding so there isn't really anyone to usher. I was thinking more Aunts and Uncles type family. I'll definitely rope the area off and let everyone know to sit towards the front if they want.

@Cabo- exactly!! That's why it came up in the first place. A friend of mine had the first two rows empty because nobody knew who was supposed to sit there. That was 10 years ago and she's still mad about it. HaHa!

I'm going to tell the parents and my grandmother where they will be seated, but I'm also going to put their name on a sign on the chair.

Maybe put "reserved for ____" and then tell those people to look for their seats? It's a little more effort on your part but that'll ensure no seats are left empty and that everyone that should be in the front gets the right seat. Thanks for asking this! I hadn't thought about it myself

I'm thinking of doing reserved signs on the rows. We are only having a few kids in our bridal party, so I've got more VIPs. For FH's side, I'll just need one for his parents and sister, but I'll need two for my mom, and a few siblings, then the rest of my siblings with my dad and his wife. I'm debating between just making sure the siblings are out there in plenty of time or doing the signs.

She doesn't do that? That is ridiculous.

Put reserved signs on the seats you need reserved.

I bought little reserved tent cards and then wrote their name on the back, and let them know they had a reserved seat.

I would think it's generally an unspoken rule that the parents, siblings, and grandparents sit in the front row.

@Celia- I'm not sure if she'll do it or not. I sent her an email. They literally won't even have someone stand in the lobby to direct people where the ceremony is located so I'm not holding my breath. She told me to have a family member stand there to direct people.

I didn't worry about it. A coordinator from the venue was out there to greet guests and make sure no one sat in the seats for parents and grandparents. It just worked out that DH's stepbrothers and my cousins, aunts, and uncles all ended up in the front.

Jeez, that sucks. Not that you want to be an object lesson, but it's a good reminder to people who think their venue issued DOC makes and independent unnecessary. In most of my venues, that's the case, but not all, and you don't want to find out on the day.

@Celia- I completely agree!! Our venue is doing a lot but they have definitely said no to some things whereas an independent person may say yes to just about anything.

Wait, I'm a little confused. Did I read it right that your BP will process but then sit down during the ceremony? I have never heard of this.

In every wedding I've been to or been a part of, the first few rows of seating is reserved for family. This is fairly common, and I want to say that everyone will know to save the first rows for family, and your families will know to sit in those seats reserved for them.

However, if your family needs to save room for the BP to sit down, I would definitely find a way to communicate this. With signage, with ushers, with your DOC. Somehow. Because it's just much more rare.

ETA nope. I read that completely wrong. Somehow I read MOB, MOG...etc as MOH&BM&GM. Excuse my brain.

I have bins of arts and crafts supplies and had some left over ribbon, so I made some tags myself. I told my VIP to look for their names.

You might need stickies since you are not using chairs but those my not be allowed. Just make sure to talk to your family. Most guests are aware that the front rows are for immediate family

We did the reserved signs and also told family members who needed to sit up front.

My venue is putting reserve sign on them