7 Tips For Wedding Seating Plans

Have you got your RSVP list completed and sorted out? Then it's time to organise your seating chart. This may not be a particularly fun task, but it is a must.

You'll want everything in your wedding reception to run smoothly, and the main component of that is having your guests seated properly and accordingly.

No worries! It may seem daunting, but managing your wedding seating chart can be a breeze. Stress-free, make it so- by following the smart tips and ideas below.

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Determine the layout and type of tables

Before organising your wedding guest seating chart, primarily determine the set up and layout of your venue. How does it go, typically, on that location or establishment? What about the tables? Are they provided in the venue, or would you need to rent them?

What type of tables are you going to utilise? Would you go for round or square ones, or maybe an oval or rectangle? There are pros and cons to each of these.

Traditionally, round tables are the first options, and they provide more legroom for your guests. If you opt for rectangular tables, they easily fit into spaces and allow your visitors to converse easily across.

After deciding on the type of tables and how they will be set up in your reception venue, you can proceed on to assign the seats to your attendees.

Decide on the set up of the wedding party

Following your choice for the tables, you need to figure out if you'll utilise a head table or a sweetheart table. Would you prefer you and your better half to have your own table?

It's when you both can mingle with your visitors as they are seated all across the venue. On the other hand, would you like to be seated with them at your wedding party?

To guide you with your decision, discuss the size of the head table with your venue.

For instance, if the space can hold a head table with a 24-people seating capacity and you want to accommodate your guests' plus ones, you can consider placing a bigger one or using more space.

Where will your parents be seated?

Then you have to decide where to seat your parents. You should do so at the tables nearest to where you and your better half will be seated.

It'll be easier for you to see them, and for them to see you in case either of you needs anything. This set up will be convenient as well in terms of speeches and first dances.

At the wedding ceremony, the bride and groom's parents tend to be seated separately on each side, but that is not the case during the reception where things can be mixed up.

You can seat everyone together in this situation. The parents can get to know each other better during this scenario and they can bask in their children's happiness as they become newlyweds.

Seat guests with common interests together

This is when you make sure that the atmosphere at your reception is pleasant and amiable. If you're expecting a lot of your family and relatives, they can sit at tables nearer to your parents.

If you have friends from college attending the party, group them at one table where they can happily catch up.

If your attendees aren't familiar with each other, take into account their life experiences or interests. Is your female best friend a big fan of baseball? Then have her seated with your work colleague who played the sport in college.

One of the main goals of a wedding seating plan is to allow your guests to have a relaxed and stress-free time at your party.

Steer clear of seating single guests together

Don't, in any way, attempt to set up a singles-only table. Your wedding party is not the right time to play matchmaker. Love may be in the air, but don't meddle with such scenarios deliberately on the occasion.

Instead, you can try interspersing your uncommitted visitors among couples or your other friends and relatives. Your focus should be on placing guests together according to interests and not necessarily their relationship status.

How to arrange the kids' table, if you opt to have one

If you're expecting kids to attend your wedding, consider setting up a table exclusively for them. On the kids' table, you can provide craft, colouring or activities avenues where you can keep these tots busy.

As an example, you can place a large piece of cardboard paper to cover the table, along with some crayons so that the children can spend their time colouring while the moments of your wedding go on at your reception.

Younger kids can have a table located near their parents. This way, they will not get anxious seeing that their mom and dad are around. Then again, if the only kids present at your party are your flower girl and the ring bearer, they can sit with their parents.

Ask your better half, friends or family for help

If you can't quite perfect the art and the sensitivity of seating your wedding guests appropriately, ask for help. Let your future spouse, your family or your future in-laws in on the task.

They can give suggestions as to who should be seated with who, especially for the guests that they know well. Granting that they're familiar with their interests, your party can determine who to position with someone or to avoid doing so.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding day is a special and momentous event. Aside from the fact that you and your future spouse make your vows of love and union, it is also an opportunity for your family and friends to dress up, have fun and share in your happiness as a couple.

With a well-thought-out seating arrangement for these significant people in your life, they, as your wedding guests can have an enjoyable time as they can view your exchange of vows and the cutting of the cake, to the dancing, among others.

With your visitors seated well and properly during your wedding party, they will be glad that they honoured your invitation.