Planning tips for wedding reception seating. It is not mandatory to sit at your assigned wedding. However, most of the brides and grooms prefer it, but they have no idea of all the details that they need to take into account. If you’re looking for the details you’ll need to know to prepare for your reception, like deciding who will sit where, organizing your seating chart, and informing your guests, this article is for you. Keep reading!
Most brides and grooms prefer assigned seating because:
- Guests prefer being told where to sit rather than looking for seats to occupy because it is less stressful,
- Having assigned seating is more efficient and will eliminate potential confusion at the front desk.
- Sitting tables with people they know will make them feel comfortable. However, it won’t do much to encourage mixing.
- Make sure to assign at least a few familiar people per table because a table where no one knows anyone else can be a bit intimidating for most people!
- Unless the guests seated at a table are related, assign the guests by approximate ages and interests as common denominators, so they’re likely to get along and have fun!
- Although you can put singles at the same table that you think will enjoy each other, seat them with pairs or groups. Avoid SOLO SOLO tables.
- The tables closest to the bride and groom should be reserved for the closest friends and family.
- If you are planning a themed wedding, give each table a name related to that theme or a designated color. Although table numbers work fine, names or colors will eliminate the perceived table hierarchy.
- Once you’ve decided, create a large name card to place in the center of each table so that guests can easily find the table they were assigned to.
- If you are assigning guests to specific seats at their respective tables, give them place name cards.
Get started creating your seating chart as soon as possible. You may need to change it when they start receiving RSVPs for the wedding invitation. Always allow a few extra spots because you may have to make last minute changes if guests don’t show up or if a guest brings one of their own.
Before you start preparing your reception seating chart, you will need to know:
- The size and layout of the room.
- The maximum number of tables that can be placed taking into account the space for the band and the dance.
- Where the Main Table, the Honor Table, the Cake Table, the Gift Table, a Memory Table will be placed if you plan to have one, the dance floor and other components. Include them in your floor plan graphic.
- If you are having a buffet, find out the number and size of the buffet tables and where they will be placed.
- If you are going to have a bar, find out where it will be placed.
- The shape and sizes of the tables.
- The number of guests
- How many guests per table (the round is usually 8 sometimes 10)
- How many will be seated at the wedding table?
- The number of children if you plan to have a children’s table.
- The table layout specifications of your place.
- A simple written box is sufficient.
Organize your seating chart
First step
- Decide if you want to make arrangements in advance:
- Only the seating arrangement for the main wedding banquet table and honor table (s).
- Also a table assignment where each wedding guest is assigned to a specific table but selects the seat.
- Or actual seat assignment where each guest is assigned not only to the table but to the specific seat at that table.
Second step
- Make a list of all your guests, including their families and wedding attendees. Remember to list yourself too.
- Use the size of your wedding table to determine how many people will occupy it.
- Use the size of each guest table to determine how many people will occupy it.
- Determine how many tables you will need by dividing the number of guests by the number of people at each table.
- Draw your graph using the information above.
Third step
- Assign seats to guests that you think will enjoy each other’s company and have a great time at your wedding.
- Make sure couples sit together.
- Divide your guest list as follows, into the number of people per table:
- People who will share the wedding table.
- Bride’s family
- Groom’s family
- People who work together with the bride and their spouses.
- People who work together with the groom and their spouses.
- School friends of the bride and their spouses.
- School friends of the groom and their spouses.
- Guests invited by the bride’s parents
- Guests invited by the groom’s parents
- Guests with similar interests such as sports, associations, lines of work, leisure activities, etc. and their wives.
Fourth step
- Make a table showing the shape (s) and the number of tables at your reception.
- Name or number each table for ease of reference.
- Find the guests with the closest common denominator and seat them together.
- Seat guests you know don’t get along at separate tables.
- At each table in your table, place the cut-out names or name tags that you prepared for each guest according to how you grouped them. This step is not your final draft. Do not type the names or paste the labels yet, as you may need to adjust or make changes.
The bridal table
The traditional wedding table is a long rectangle. The traditional seating order is as follows:
- The bride and groom sit in the middle.
- The maid of honor sits next to the groom.
- The best man sits next to the bride.
- The bridesmaids and groomsmen sit in alternate seats at the end of the table.
- Parents have a special table that includes the officiant and their spouse. You can also include siblings who are not at the wedding party.
- If either or both pairs of parents are divorced and shouldn’t sit next to each other, let them sit at either end of the wedding table or have each head a guest table, to which you assign your family and friends.
What to do after completing and confirming the table
Create escort cards indicating the name or number of the table to which each guest is assigned.
- Before the arrival of the reception guests, place the cards in alphabetical order of the last names on a table at the entrance of the room, where the guests can see them as they arrive. You can assign an attendant to direct guests to the chaperone card table.
- If you assign a specific seat to each guest, please request place cards with the guest’s name displayed on the table, in front of their – their designated seating assignment. *
- If your guests chose a selection of entrees, these place cards will help the caterer’s staff provide each guest with their menu selection.
- If your wedding reception is taking place outdoors, be sure to weigh the cards, place them in card holders, or protect them from the wind. With just a gust of wind, your guests may never find their seats.
- If your wedding reception is taking place outdoors, be sure to place the cards in the card holders or protect them from the wind.
* To save money, choose a gift card holder such as mini picture frames, card holders, candy boxes, etc.
Creating your seating chart
- Buy a poster board.
- For a keepsake, use decorative colored ink for graphics and text.
- In the top center, write your name and wedding date as per the Sample.
- Draw a rectangle large enough to write the names of your guests at the wedding table.
- Draw a circle large enough to write the name or number of the table and the names of the Guests assigned to it, for each round table, in the exact position where it will be placed at your wedding reception.
- Write or print your wedding guest list leaving enough space around each name to cut it out, or print the names on small individual tags. Either one will help you organize your intent seating arrangement.
- Make sure to invite your parents to contribute information and help you assign the appropriate seats for their guests.
HAVE FUN!
Copyrights © 2009 All rights reserved Nily Glaser.