Emma's answers to Who sits where in church?

Question

Where do people sit in church? Who do I need to reserve seating for? We are having guests do some readings, so they will need seats too. Help!

Answer

Seating arrangements in church are as follows:

The front right-hand pew is reserved for the groom and the best man. The groom's close family including his parents sit in the second pew behind the groom. The front left-hand pew is reserved for the bride's parents and her attendants only. Behind the bride's mother should be the bride's close family and behind them the rest of her family and friends. Behind the groom's parents you would sit the groom's family and then his friends. If you want to reserve an extra pew for those doing the reading and the prayers, I suggest you reserve the 3rd row on one side depending whether these guests are friends/family of the bride or groom. It is not usual to reserve a seat for the wife of the best man or husband of the matron of honour as they will not play an active role in the ceremony so they should sit with the other guests on the appropriate side of the church