Let me begin with the question and then explain the problem: Where should a step mother be in the procession?
Ever since I can remember I have wanted to have those who helped raise me be in my wedding. The groom is fine with this and has even decided to do the same.
So our procession looks like this
Bible Bearer, 4 Memory Candles, My aunt & uncle, His aunt & uncle, (Keep this pattern for 5 more sets each), My dad's cousin and wife(they are like grandparents to me), My Grandparents (dad side), My Grandparents (mom side), His mother, My mother, Attendants(6 sets), Flower girl/Ring bearer, Me (Bride)
My Father has not married yet but said by the time I get married they will be. She is a wonderful person and we are close considering I live 500mi away. She had no hand whatsoever in raising me, but I don't want her to feel left out. She will be seated next to my dad who is next to my mom on the front row. Our families will fill in the second rows on either side of the aisle. If she is already seated she will look weird out there by herself. Please help.
Aren't you the lucky one to still have both sets of grandparents? Now I am assuming from your post that your Dad is giving you away. If that is so your step mother will be ushered in between the groom's mother and your mother. If there is any discomfort, you can put your Dad and his new wife on the second or third row. Nancy Tucker President of Weddings Beautiful US http://www.weddingsbeautiful.com
They are not really part of the procession. They are just being seated before the procession. You can seat anyone as special as long as your mother is the last one seated before the procession.
Typically your stepmother would not be seated as one of the mothers. She would find her seat before your special seating. If you want to seat her as one of the mothers, you could seat her before your groom's mother. This would still give her 'mother' status. Rebecca Black, Etiquette Now