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The responsibility for hosting multiplies times ten when it applies to a wedding – so making your guests feel welcomed, hanging up their coats, getting them a beverage, and introducing them to other guests are all tasks that fall to the host or hostess.  This is a very large job, and obviously cannot be on the shoulders of the bride and groom.  All of this can be overwhelming, so let’s look at who can help and how they can make your guests welcome.

After you and your families have gotten together and made the main arrangements, such as date and location, the other smaller details need to be worked out.  Ushers can serve as excellent hosts, and not one usher needs to do it, but all the little tasks can be handed out.

A brief list of what ushers will be required to help with goes as follows (your wedding officiant will be happy to help with directions if needed):

• greeting guests
• showing them to their seats
• the guestbook attendant
• parking cars
• collecting gifts and placing them on the gift table
• handing out the Order of Service bulletins
• helping guests with strollers or wheelchairs

Keep in your mind that your parents will be great demand on this day, as well, and it’s unfair to expect them to do all the hosting.  When you have elderly grandparents attending, ask another family member or helpful usher to keep them ‘under their wing’, so to speak.  This just means to keep an eye that they know where the washrooms are, where to sit at the ceremony and reception, and make sure they are well-looked after.

Your wedding is like a party but on a larger scale, so if you don’t have the experience with party planning, there are so many resources online that can help you.  Print off all the lists you need and don’t be afraid to ask for help.  There’s no shame in feeling overwhelmed, get the help you need from someone that knows how to take care of all the details.  You will enjoy your wedding day if you know that your guests are made most welcome and cared for.