RESPONSIBILITIES OF USHERS/USHERETTES
USHERS/USHERETTES
One senior usher/usherette will be designated as coordinator and should:
- Take station at a central location.
- Maintain oversight and control of all other ushers and usherettes.
- Designate usher/usherette responsibilities and assignments.
- Terminate single couple ushering when back-ups occur.
Ushers/usherettes should form a continuing column at the entrance, stepping forward to escort as each preceding guest is escorted away, and should:
- Introduce him/herself to guest.
- Offer and escort ladies with right arm.
- Allow accompanying gentlemen to follow.
- Move guests away fi-om entrance quickly.
- Distribute program when approaching seating area.
- Remind military guests this is a covered ceremony.
Ushers/usherettes should be familiar with VIP seating arrangements and VIP cards, if used.
Ushers and usherettes will escort at a pace comfortable for the lady.
Guests are seated from front to rear excepting designated VIP seating.
If guests still require seating when the Official Party arrives, suspend seating until after honors has been rendered.
Two ushers/usherettes should remain at the entrance area throughout the ceremony to assist late arrivals.
Usher/Usherette seats may be reserved in the last row, if available.
In general, politeness will correct any possibly awkward situation between guests and ushers/usherettes.
The following phases of ushering will apply:
- As guest back-ups occur, suspend single couple escorting (except VIP designates) and escort in groups toward seating areas. Resume single couple escorting when back-ups are reduced.
- Suspend escorting when the Colors are presented and posted. Resume upon completion.
- If large groups arrive simultaneously, post ushers at designated seating areas and direct guests to those posts for seating. This should only occur as start time approaches.