Do Aussie couples usually have ushers?

Good idea to include close friends in your ceremony :) 

If you want an all out tradional wedding, then Yes use family or close friends who are not in the wedding party as ushers.  Sometimes it is nice to have an elderly Grandparent or Uncle or Aunt escorted to their seats.

Ushers are a thing of the past but you could still use family members who are not part of the bridal party and are not doing a reading to be assigned a task of ensuring all the guests get seated. I try to spread the guests evenly. If anyone asks me which is the brides side, or which is the grooms side, my response is that "we do not take sides at a wedding"

It is not common to have ushers unless it is a formal wedding, they could do a reading or read a poem. There are so many great things they could read and add to your ceremony. 

Ushers are not the norm in Australia but of course they are welcome and a lovely idea. Readings are a great way to have one or two of your guests involved.  I also have some lovely ideas for inclusions in your ceremony that you do not often see.

In terms of your friends participating in a ceremony, there are many options to consider

1. share a reading/quote/poem

2. present the wedding rings

3. Have them be your witnessess

4. They could read a section of the ceremony

Hope that is some insight for you

I think it's a great idea to involve your friends in this way. its up to you whether you have ushers, so if that's how you want to involve friends, I say "Go for it!" 

I also think its great having some of your close friends doing readings. It adds "texture" to your wedding having different voices that suit particular readings. You may have a friend who sees themselves as a bit of a comedian.  By all means tap into that person and enjoy your day. 

Its your wedding and you can do whatever you choose to do.  In fact, I relish the fact that a couple want to do something special and perhaps different from everyone else. 

Ushers are a tradition that stems from the UK where they would "usher" people to their seats advising them if they were to sit on the bride's side or the groom's side.  I have found here in Australia that it is not quite so formal but there is no doubt that you can certainly have ushers for this reason.  Also it is always nice to include other guests in doing a reading or perhaps taking part in a ritual of some sort.  

Hi there,

Aussie couples don't seem to have a formal role - someone named as a 'usher' - but it's a great idea to have a few, particularly if your wedding is large, and I agree, honouring your friends in this way helps them feel included!

If you'd like a friend to read something make sure that person is comfortable reading in public... some people really hate the idea!

Great idea to include your friends in these ways! If your wedding's on a hot day, another idea is to have a couple of people man a water station too...

Great.  Get them involved as much as possible.  Don't worry about what other aussie couples do.  This is your wedding, so you do whatever you want.