AboutBrenda Cascio Expertise As founder and CEO of GraciousBridal.com, I am pleased to offer suggestions for those puzzling situations such as wanting to give personal gifts to bridesmaids that have totally different interests, how to show appreciation to guests on a budget, what small things that can be done to make a huge impact for the ceremony and reception.
Experience At the helm of graciousbridal.com, I am up-to-date on the latest trends. Our products have been featured in the finest wedding and style magazines. I am essentially a consultant to consultants. Because many wedding consultants are a small operation, they don't have access to the vendors, markets and other consultants that we have. Therefore, we use our resources to find those elusive items. Having a party and want to re-create the garden at Tavern-On-The-Green? We provided the marbelized balloons. Are you wanting a garden party with lanterns strung through the trees? We have provided the lanterns with coordinating parasols and hand fans. Want to plan a wedding merging two cultures, I can help navigate you through the potentially sticky situations (now is not the time for a social faux-pas!) It is important to be aware of the various customs in different parts of the country too, and I am more than happy to assist brides, moms and consultants in this.
Education/Credentials Degree in Fine Arts and years of experience in design and marketing prior to becoming involved in the wedding industry.
Question when do you seat the bride's father and step mother when the father is not the one giving the bride away? should the groom's grandparents be seated before or after the bride's father?
Answer Hi Joan,
First the easy question! The groom's grandmother is the first in the processional escorted by an usher and followed closely by her husband. In some areas, the grandfather is already seated and the grandmother is escorted alone by an usher. The bride's grandmother(s) are next.
Second, this is the stickier issue, but fortunately, etiquette is no longer as stringent as it used to be. It is not a law, but a guide for civility. As each family is unique, you have a variety of options.
If there is no animosity between the brides parents, then they may both be seated on the front row as a show of support and love for their daughter. Otherwise, it is perfectly acceptable that Dad be seated on the second pew. Should even that be a strained situation, the mother of the bride's family can occupy the pews in front of the father-of-the-bride, giving a buffer. When to seat the Dad if he is not escorting the bride would be before the grandmothers. Again, let common sense dictate what you should do, if the formal etiquette would put a strain on the situation.
Regards,
Brenda,
GraciousBridal.com
