The Wedding Seating Plan,
written by Adam Leyton of www.toptableplanner.com
Do I need a Seating
Plan?
If you have a small, informal reception, you
may not feel you need a plan. However for larger numbers, or a
sit down meal, both you and your guests may benefit from a seating
plan. Guests are saved from a mad panic of trying to find a seat
on a table with their friends/family and you can place people
where they’ll be happiest! The wedding meal may last for
2-3 hours and is a significant part of the day. If your guests
are sitting with people they get along with, it will make a big
difference to their overall enjoyment of the day.
There are a number of options for the
seating plan:
• No plan at all – best for stand
up buffets or small and informal events.
• Assign guests to tables – you allocate guests to
tables but the choice of seat is theirs.
• Assign guests to seats – you specify the seats at
which each guest will sit.
If you remember only one thing…
Do what you think would make you and your guests
most comfortable.
The Top Table Dilemma
While the traditional top table (Bride and
Groom seated at a long table flanked by the wedding party) is
still favoured by most, alternatives are often being introduced
as family structures get more complicated. The traditional layout
is as follows:
Traditional Bridal Table
There are alternative arrangements
– these are useful when parents have split up and are possibly
with a new partner. Alternatively, you may want to avoid the top
table altogether and have a romantic table for two, or sit with
other friends/family.
Top Tips for Other
Tables
1. Seating tables with just one family group
will let them relax, but won’t do much to encourage mingling.
However, a table where no one knows anyone else might be a bit
daunting for most people! Try and arrange a mix on each table
– so everyone knows a few people. By thinking about guest’s
ages and interests you can make sure that each table is likely
to get on and have fun!
2. Where to sit singles can also
create a dilemma. On one hand you might want to try out a little
matchmaking, but on the other, this could be rather uncomfortable
and awkward for your guests (it might be very obvious too!). Certainly
avoid a ‘singles’ table but generally do whatever
you feel is best for your guests.
3. If you are using round tables,
the general etiquette is to seat males and females alternately
around the table. If you are using long tables, seat couples opposite
one another and then alternate male/females along the table.
4. The tables closest to the Bride
and Groom should be reserved for the closest friends and family.
5. Give each table a name or number.
Table names could be themed - for example people, objects or places
that are relevant to you as a couple. Names also remove the perceived
hierarchy of tables. You should create a name card for each table
(your venue may do this for you) so that guests can easily find
their table.
6. If you are assigning guests to
specific seats you should create name place cards. These could
also show menu choices (if you are offering them) or indicate
vegetarians. The waiting staff will really appreciate this and
it will allow them to give a more seamless service. You should
also give a paper copy of your plan to the venue so that they
can see where people are seated.
Creating the Plan
Start arranging your seating plan early. You
can start doing this before all your RSVPs have come in as most
of your close friends and family will probably be definitely attending,
even if they haven’t formally replied yet.
To begin creating your plan, get
a general idea from your venue how tables will be arranged in
the room, determine whether you’ll be using round or long
tables or a mixture of both, and work out how many people you
can sit at each table.
Arranging the plan can take
a long time and might involve numerous revisions. Many people
cut up pieces of paper for each guest and table and use these
to try out different layouts. Thankfully, over the last few years
software (web-based, for download or even Excel spreadsheets)
has become available to make the task simpler. It can save you
not only hours of your time but also reduce the stress in the
lead up to the big day by simplifying last minute changes.
