Hostess/Ushers A Must?

We're not doing any of those either. But our wedding is rather small and with very few exceptions everyone knows who's who.

We're doing programs, but no ushers or hostess (at least not yet), we have a free DOC from our photo/video/dj company because we booked 3 services and another one from our Venue. I might have one good friend to coordinate with them, as for my programs, they will either be on the chairs or at the entrance, not sure yet

We skipped the ushers because most people know how to seat themselves. We did programs because we wanted everyone to know who was who in the wedding party. And our officiant and musicians were friends, so we wanted to give them credit (though apparently a few of the in-laws were very confused to see our string trio at the reception - they thought they'd been hired for the occasion).

We are having ushers more so to keep ppl from walking on my aisle runner and also to direct them to the reception afterwards so we can get everyone to leave the property ASAP so we can take picture. I think if you are having a large wedding then its a good idea. OUr guest list is 230.

We are also doing progrmas... i just like them.

We're just asking my FH's wedding attendants to help out. It's also a great opportunity to get the kids involved and help them get some energy out before the ceremony. We already felt the amount of people involved were getting out of hand.

We had ushers, but it was more of a way to include additional friends in the wedding. I don't think we really "needed" them.

We're having ushers because I have 3 nephews that are too old to be ring bearers and their younger brother is a ring bearer, and I wanted to include them some how. We are having programs because FHs aunt wanted to buy them for us, and her son and the second youngest of my nephews are passing them out.

Do you *need* either? Probably not. Its nothing to stress over

No ushers or hostess here either. We really have a small wedding party and the guest list is about 80 people. I feel that would be more trouble than it's worth. I might change my mind, but I doubt it.

It depends a little on the site of your wedding. If it is in a church, ushers are more important. If it is at your reception site, they are probably not necessary. Your wedding coordinator or someone from the venue will probably direct the guests. To tell the truth, I haven't run into very many hostesses so I expect that they are definitely optional.

As for programs, again, they are more important in church, strictly optional at the site but they make nice mementos.

Have a great wedding!

P.S. Programs ARE helpful for the musicians. ;o)

We are having programs to list the names of the important people, and cue the guests about what to expect. We are having "greeters" at the door to direct people to the coat room, bathroom and ceremony and pass out the programs. And the ushers will be there to seat people. You would think people can seat themselves, but I have been to weddings were people are left standing because no one wanted to be rude and walk infront of a seated person or ask a stranger to move in.

We are having both!

We have 4 ushers for 130 people, over kill I know, but it was more of us trying to incorporate people. I am having programs just because I like the idea. I would like to recgonize certain people.

Just this week I decided to ask some friends to be our host/hostess. I don't think they will need to seat anyone, but just keep a general flow. It was also a way to get a couple of important friends involved since our wedding party is very small.

Definitely some good input...I think I may just have DIY programs and just set them on the seats...we only have about 80 people attending...decent number but not huge =)

We will definitely need both. Considering we're being married in a wedding garden, it's on a very large plot of land and when my guests first arrive, they will see just a house(the gardens are on our officiant's land), not the gardens itself. The gardens are down a slight hill and a small walk to the pond. Most likely that will be a job for FH's nieces and nephews.

We did programs (not neccesarily, but I always like them at weddings). I wasn't originally going to have a person hand them out, but I had like my entire family ask me at separate times who was going to hand them out and they said I needed someone. so I ended up asking a friend who came into town for the wedding (haha-and another friend she came with to attend to the guestbook, cause apparently thats important to have too, according to my family). I really have no idea how much difference it made, but looking back, the two I asked were old college friends and it was a fun, easy way to involve them in the wedding and I'm glad I did it.