Who usually sits at the top table? The traditional top table layout is the wedding party, including the bride and groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen, maid of honour and best man.
Traditionally, the top table is the table at the head of the reception room where the newlyweds, their parents, the best man and the maid of honour sit facing the guests.
The first row is for parents of the bride and groom, and members of the wedding party who may need a seat during the ceremony. The second row is for siblings of the couple who are not in the wedding party. The third row is for grandparents and siblings who do not sit in the second row.
The bride and groom sit in the middle, with the groom on the left as you're facing the table. Next to the bride are her father, the groom's mother, and finally the best man at the end.
Who usually sits at the top table? The traditional top table layout is the wedding party, including the bride and groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen, maid of honour and best man.
Where should parents and grandparents of the bride and groom sit? Depending on the size and shape of tables you have, it's common to have a family table where the bride and groom's parents and grandparents sit together. Or, each set of parents can host their own table and be seated with close family and friends.
The parents of the bride always sit in the first pew or row on the left, facing where the ceremony will be held; the groom's parents sit in the first row on the right. At same-sex marriage ceremonies, the couple might assign each family a side, and seat guests on "Bill's side" or "Kevin's side" accordingly.
If the mother of the bride is taking part in the wedding processional, she is traditionally escorted by a close male relative like a son or brother or may enter alone. If the parents are divorced, she may be escorted by her partner. In some cases, a groomsman or best man will escort her down the aisle.
The mother of the bride is the last person seated before the officiant, groom and best man take their places at the altar. She can walk alone or be escorted by her son, son-in-law or another relative. She is seated on the left side in the first row.
Stick with Tradition
Left to right, here's how they're traditionally seated: maid of honour, groom's father, bride's mother, groom, bride, bride's father, groom's mother, best man.
The newlyweds should be seated at the centre of the top table, surrounded by their special guests. Historically, the parents of the couple, as did the best man and maid of honour, sat at the top table. The bride is usually seated to the right of the groom. Same-sex couples are free to select their own seats.
While table one most frequently includes the couple, their wedding party and the wedding party plus one's, "a head table can really be constructed in whatever way makes the most sense for the couple and who they want to sit with," says Jamie Chang of Passport to Joy.
The mother of the bride is traditionally escorted by her son if she has one. Otherwise, any close male relative, the best man, or a groomsman walks with the mother of the bride during the procession.
In most traditional Christian heterosexual weddings, the bride's parents sit in the first row on the left side of the aisle, while the groom's parents fill in the first row on the right side.
The bride and groom should be seated at the center of the head table, with their attendants flanking them. Some couples include the ushers in the wedding party table seating while others choose to reserve a table near the front of the reception for them. Flower girls and ring bearers usually sit with their parents.
The mother of the bride plays the role of hostess, meaning you should spend some time greeting guests during the reception. Although there are exceptions, other wedding-day duties may include sitting at the parents' table and dancing with the father of the bride to help warm up the dance floor.
Traditionally speaking, though, the bride's family pays for the bulk of the wedding—venue, reception, photographer, flowers, etc. As such, the mother of the bride is typically more 'in charge' of these things (along with the bride, of course) than the mother of the groom is.
Traditionally speaking, your mother will be on the front as mentioned above (with her significant other if in attendance), and her immediate family will be directly behind her in the next row back. This generally would place your stepmother on the third row back in the second seat from the aisle.
5 minutes prior to ceremony: The groom's mother is escorted to her seat by the head usher, a son, or the groom. The groom's father follows and sits next to her. The wedding processional follows.
Traditionally, the parents all sit at the same reception table, along with siblings not in the wedding party, the officiant and his or her spouse (if they attend the reception) and any grandparents.
The best man or woman and the maid or man of honor usually will be placed right next to the couple, and the rest of the party will take the other seats.
Wedding reception introductions are usually offered by the wedding DJ or an emcee. This act opens the activities of the wedding reception and it serves to offer formal introduction of the couple, bridal party, and their parents to the wedding guests.
The groom's parents can also walk down the aisle together, followed by the groom as he walks alone. Or the groom might opt to use one of the above options, such as walking down the aisle with both of his parents.
The bride and groom are followed by their parents. If the bride's parents are hosting the wedding, they speak first, toasting the newlyweds and the groom's parents, and welcoming the guests.
In many cultures, it's traditional to have both the mother and father walk their daughter down the aisle. Some brides may find this more suitable rather than choosing just one parent to do the honor. If you prefer to be escorted by both your mom and dad, Erb says go for it!