5 Tips To Planning Your Wedding Seating Chart
The RSVPs are streaming in and it seems as if you are going to have the well-attended wedding you’ve always dreamed about. The next thing on your to-do list is the seating chart. Whether you will doing the traditional thing or give your seating a modern twist – here are some tips to help you in the process.
- Take your time
Contrary to popular belief, seating can be more complicated than it actually sounds. Once you have the list of names in front of you and you realise some of the groups of friends and family won’t fit at a specific table together – panic may set in. So don’t leave it to the last minute. Consider it an on-going project, and take your time.
- Group people together
The easiest place to start is by grouping the RSVP names together according to relationship. For e.g. the groom’s family, bride’s family, college friends, school friends, work friends etc. Then divide these groups into sub-groups of those that get on the best. Don't try to mix different people up. Keep groups of people who know each other or are more likely to get on, together. Mixing her family and yours so that they can 'get to know each other' is sure to invite crickets.
- Plan it out practically
Sketch out the floor plan with where which table will go, and who will sit where. It doesn’t matter if you use a computer programme or make a physically drawing – just do it. And be practical about how many people can fit at a table comfortably. Keep the measurements of the venue, tables and chairs into account, as well as doorways etc., so you don’t squeeze in too many in an awkward spot.
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- Don’t sweat - anything really goes with the head table
A traditional head table is a long, straight table where the seated members all face the other guests. Placement at a traditional head table like this is usually bride and groom in the middle with the best man next to the bride and the maid of honour next to the groom. But these days anything goes. Switch up the seating, have a normal table in the middle of the venue or set a small sweetheart table for just the two of you.
- Don’t take it too seriously
As with many of the little things you plan to exhaustion – try to relax and to not overthink it too much. Easier said than done, right? But the truth is there will be a couple that won’t seem to fit anywhere, and those last minute cancellations will leave you grasping at your hair. Remember, most of the day and night won’t be spent at the tables anyway, so instead focus on seating the “potential problem guests”, aka friends and family that hate each other, far apart you should be fine.
Good luck!