Organising the seating arrangements for your wedding reception can be a stressful and confusing. Sensitivity is required in the case of introverted or shy guests, mutual friends or family members that do not get along with one another may need special attention, and so on. It is very important that you try to make your [...]

Organising the seating arrangements for your wedding reception can be a stressful and confusing. Sensitivity is required in the case of introverted or shy guests, mutual friends or family members that do not get along with one another may need special attention, and so on. It is very important that you try to make your guests feel comfortable and welcomed because, if they are not enjoying your wedding reception, you can be sure that there will be an unpleasant atmosphere that will permeate the ambience of the entire occasion.

A pre-planned seating chart is always recommended. The only possible exception is if you are having a very small, intimate wedding (even then, it is wise to formalise the seating). Additionally, it is actually expected by the guests and is, therefore, appropriate to have a seating plan; guiding guests and avoiding confusion or embarrassment.

Usually, the table closest to the main bridal table is for the bridal couple’s parents, the officiant and his or her spouse. The actual bridal table is for the bride, groom, maid of honour, bridesmaids, best man and groomsmen (of course, there are no strict rules, and each couple should decide for themselves who they would prefer at their table).

Do:

• Make sure that the seating chart is visible and easy to understand
• Make sure that any place cards or names are written in an attractive font that is large and simple enough to read
• Have all of the parents and step-parents at one table OR enjoying the same proximity to the bridal couple as one another to avoid feeling of jealousy
• Try to put families, friends and colleagues together and then include a person or couple that does not know anyone else at the reception
• Ask your friends and family to speak to any individual or couple that does not know others
• Seat every guest at a table with at least one other person or couple that they know
• Consider the personalities and interests of your guests when planning their seating arrangements
• Ask your mother-in-law-to-be to help with the seating of the members from the other side of the family
• Seat speakers close to the stage so that they do not have to come from the back of the room when it is time for their speech
• Do not put any ex-couples at the same table. Even if they really are at ease in one another’s company, their new partners may not feel quite as comfortable
• Put elderly ones and pregnant women closer to the toilets
• Place tables and chairs in such a way that it is easy for serving staff to access every guest and that allows for guests to move easily between them without tripping
• Tell the caterers the names and table number of guests with dietary preferences (vegetarian, kosher, Halaal, allergies etc…)

Don’t:

• Seat two single people next to one another with the obvious intent for them to get to know one another better (this is inappropriate and can be very embarrassing for both of them)
• Have a table for children with no one to look after them
• Seat the elderly near speakers (as it often distorts their hearing) or too far away from the action to see or hear anything
• Leave the step-parents out of the bridal table while the parents are included
• Have one table for all of the people that do not fit anywhere else (this just makes for one awkward, quiet table of uncomfortable guests)
• Split couples up

Photo Credit: IGH