Engagement Party Seating Tips and Wedding Reception Planning for Brides and Grooms

Planning tips for seating at the wedding reception. Seating assignments at your wedding are not mandatory. However, most of the brides and grooms prefer it, but they have no idea about all the details that they need to consider. 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 arrangement, and informing your guests, this article is for you. Keep reading!

Most brides and grooms prefer assigned seating because:

• Guests prefer to be told where to sit rather than looking for seats to occupy because it is less stressful,
• Having assigned seats is more efficient and will eliminate potential mix-ups at the front desk.
• Sitting at tables with people you know will make you 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 nobody knows anybody can be a bit intimidating for most people!
• Unless the guests sitting at a table are related, assign guests by approximate ages and interests as common denominators, so they are likely to get along and have fun.
• Although you can put singles you think will enjoy each other at the same table, seat them with couples or groups. Avoid INDIVIDUALS ONLY tables.
• The tables closest to the bride and groom should be reserved for the closest friends and family.
• If you’re planning a themed wedding, give each table a name related to that theme or a designated color. Although table numbers work well, names or colors will remove the perceived hierarchy of the tables.
• Once you’ve decided, create a large name card to place in the center of each table so guests can easily find their assigned table.
• If you are assigning guests to specific seats at their respective tables, provide them with place cards.

Start creating your seating chart as soon as possible. You may need to change it when the wedding invitation RSVPs start coming in. Always allow a few extra places because you may have to make last minute changes if guests don’t show up or if a guest brings their own guest.

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 considering the space for the band and the dance.
• Where the Head Table, Head Table, Cake Table, Gift Table, a Gift Table if you plan to have one, the dance floor, and other components will be placed. Include them in your floor plan diagram.
• If you are going to have 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 sit 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 chart is sufficient.

Organizing your seating plan

First step

• Decide if you want to pre-arrange:
• Only the seating arrangements for the head table of the wedding party and the table(s) of honor.
• Also a table assignment where each wedding guest is assigned to a specific table but selects the seat.
• Or the actual seating assignment where each guest is assigned not only the table, but also 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 who you feel will enjoy each other’s company and have a great time at your wedding.
• Make sure the couples sit together.
• Divide your guest list as follows, in 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 spouses.

Fourth step

• Make a chart showing the shape(s) and number of tables at your reception.
• Name or number each table for easy reference.
• Find the guests with the closest common denominator and seat them together.
• Seat guests you know don’t get along at separate tables from each other.
• On each table in your chart, place the cut-out names or name tags you prepared for each guest according to how you grouped them. This step is not your final draft. Don’t 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.
• Bridesmaids and groomsmen take 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 in the wedding party.
• If one or both parents are divorced and shouldn’t sit next to each other, let them sit at each end of the wedding table or have them each lead a guest table, assigning family and friends to it.

What to do after completing and confirming the chart

Create escort cards indicating the name of the table or the number to which each diner is assigned.

• Prior to the guest’s arrival at the reception, place the cards in alphabetical order by last name on a table at the entrance of the room where guests can see them as they arrive. You can assign an attendant to direct guests to the escort card table.
• If you assign a specific seat to each guest, please place cards with the guest’s name on the table, in front of their designated seat assignment.*
• If your guests have chosen an entrée selection, these place cards will help the catering staff provide each guest with their menu selection.
• If your wedding reception is held outdoors, be sure to weigh the cards, place them in card holders, or protect them from the wind. Just a gust of wind and your guests may never find their seats.
• If your wedding reception is being held outdoors, be sure to place the cards in card holders or protect them from the wind.

* To save money, choose card holders that double as favors like mini photo frames, card holders, candy boxes, etc.

Creating your seating plan

• Buy a cardboard.
• As a reminder, use decorative color ink for graphics and text.
• At the top center, write your names and wedding date according to the Sample.
• Draw a rectangle large enough to write the names of the guests at the wedding table.
• Draw a circle large enough to write the table name or number and the names of the Guests assigned to it, for each round table, in the exact position 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 labels. Either one will help you organize tentative seating arrangements.
• Be sure to invite your parents to contribute information and help you assign appropriate seats for your guests.

HAVE FUN!

Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved Nily Glaser.