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Rachael
Savvy September 2018

Wedding party standing during ceremony vs sitting

Rachael, on December 19, 2017 at 9:10 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 22

I have been to a few weddings where the wedding party stands during the ceremony, where they sit, or just the maid of honor and best man stand.

I am thinking of just having my maid of honor (sister) and the best man (finance's brother in law) standing versus having everyone stand.

I was in a wedding as a bridesmaid and she had all the wedding party sit which was nice because then we didn't kill our feet standing for so long.

What do you guys think and what are you doing?

22 Comments

Latest activity by Rya, on December 20, 2017 at 8:38 PM
  • EM
    Master April 2017
    EM ·
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    I think if you don't care you should ask your wedding party what they want to do. Typically they all stand though, I think.

    I've never seen the WP sit during the ceremony, but if that's what my folks wanted to do I wouldn't have had any problem with it.

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  • QueSeraSera
    VIP December 2017
    QueSeraSera ·
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    I've never seen the BP sit during the ceremony, but if yours is a long one, then I'd have them sit too.

    Our ceremony was maybe 15 minutes long, including the processional & recessional. Even our FGs stood with us the whole time.

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  • Will & Tiara
    Super September 2019
    Will & Tiara ·
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    Is it in a church or outdoor area? What is the room/spacing for folks to sit or stand?

    I've been to weddings where everyone sits (even the bride and groom) because of the length of the ceremony. However, there was room for that. You have to determine length of ceremony (discuss with Officiate/Clergy). If it's only a 30-35 minute wedding ceremony, then no big deal - they can all stand and it will look nice for the photos where BMs on one side and GMs on the other side all dressed up along with you and your groom. If it's a long wedding you may seat them at the altar but only if there is room. I think that kids are fidgety so get them to sit when they arrive at the front (seats on front row should be provided for them).

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  • O
    Master October 2017
    O ·
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    Our bridesmaid sat down. She is shy and sat down with her mother after she walked down the aisle.
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  • WED18
    July 1993
    WED18 ·
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    I think this depends on the type and length of ceremony. If it's a religious ceremony within a mass for example, the WP sits. For a quick ceremony there's no reason they shouldn't stand.

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  • Anne
    Dedicated October 2017
    Anne ·
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    I agree it depends on the length of the ceremony and the venue. The only place I’ve seen the BP sit is at long religious ceremonies.
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  • Rachael
    Savvy September 2018
    Rachael ·
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    I guess I just anticipate an argument with one of my bridesmaids, her daughter will be the flower girl and I want her to sit with my mom (her grandma) during the ceremony and anticipate an argument about why can’t she hold her and stand. Which I don’t want because the child may get fussy as she is very young
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  • KatieMBY
    VIP January 2018
    KatieMBY ·
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    Since they’ll be the ones standing or sitting, I’d ask your BP if I were you. I think it looks nice if the BP stands up next to you. I mean that’s the whole point, right?
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  • Miaaa
    Super January 2018
    Miaaa ·
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    We have long religious ceremonies- 45 in to an hour. That being said, I've only been in one wedding where we sat and it was SO AWKWARD. The bride and groom do sit and stand and we'd do it whenever they did, but honestly it was kinda exhausting to keep going back and forth. It also didn't look great in general. I stood in another friend's wedding the whole time and it was fun. We all sat down immediately after. My girls are standing but they know, and have been encouraged to wear very comfortable shoes. I have a BM who will be 6 mo pregnant and I told her to let me know if she needs seating and will arrange it for her.

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  • VC
    Super April 2018
    VC ·
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    I’ve never seen the wedding party do anything but stand with the couple at the alter. What’s the point of having a wedding party if they’re going to be sitting during the ceremony? It’s their one job!! If you’re going to do that, I would skip the WP all together.
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  • Mrs.hays
    VIP April 2018
    Mrs.hays ·
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    We are having a short ceremony so our party will be standing
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  • LaraLouM
    Super May 2019
    LaraLouM ·
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    I’ve never been to a wedding where the party sits. I feel like it would look weird and defeat the purpose of having them. They are supposed to stand with you.
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  • BlueHenBride
    Master March 2017
    BlueHenBride ·
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    I've only seen examples of the WP sitting down during the ceremony when it's a Catholic wedding. Otherwise, I've always seen the whole WP stand.

    I'd talk to your WP and talk to your officiant and then choose what works best for your peeps and your ceremony.
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  • A
    Dedicated February 2018
    Amethyst Queen ·
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    We're having a short ceremony guest will be standing it's an intimate wedding, originally was going to be at the beach with no set up as well
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  • Mrsbdg
    Champion August 2017
    Mrsbdg ·
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    If my ceremony was any longer than the 15 minutes it was planned to be (we sped through at 13 minutes), I would have had them sit. I hate standing for an extended period of time because I'm recovering from a pretty rough muscle tear in my calf.


    If your ceremony is long-ish, please let them sit!

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  • Madison
    Expert September 2018
    Madison ·
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    Mine are all standing, but also no one is wearing heels.
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  • M
    Devoted May 2018
    Mrs. ·
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    I have never been to a wedding where they sit, but I think that if you're having a longer ceremony it might be good? Or maybe if someone can't stand for longer periods of time for medical reasons they should sit? I think it depends on your party and what they want (if you really don't care)

    I'm having my party stand, we are having a short ceremony and I would like our pictures/video to have them all up there with us. But again, that's my preference!

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  • Kimberly
    Devoted November 2018
    Kimberly ·
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    Mine are standing because my ceremony will be so short. But I'm going to be in one where we will all be sitting because there isn't room for us to all stand. I like either but we have a big space at our venue and I'd like it filled. Plus I think it lends itself to more pictures with my group.

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  • L
    Savvy September 2018
    Larissa ·
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    So, you want the grown ups to stand and kids to sit? I feel that is pretty standard when the kids are young (so if she can still be held/carried, I'd consider her young).

    Has it come up? Will it come up? I haven't had sitting/standing come up during planning, but I guess parents may be more curious what their kids will be doing. Maybe let your officiant, and/or wedding planner if you have one, know your concerns so during the rehearsal they can say "oh we always have young kids sit with their parents or a close relative for x y z reason and we really recommend that. Further, we'd discussed that with Rachael and it is what she prefers as well." Back up from the experts may help and maybe your BM will feel more awkward making an argument with them than with you?

    Plus like..wouldn't holding a kid rumple your dress and make your arms tired? Seems illogical.


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  • LB
    Champion November 2016
    LB ·
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    I've never seen the BMs sit but I wouldn't think it was weird if I saw it at a wedding.

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