The dreaded seating chart arrangements:
Many brides dread making the seating chart. However, with a little etiquette know-how and some organizational skills, the seating chart is a breeze. Follow these etiquette guidelines below to help guide you through all the reception seating arrangements.
***We highly recommend assigning guests to specific tables for any wedding with a guest count of 100 or more that will serve a sit down reception meal. However, please keep in mind guest will want to mingle after the meal. ***
When a seating chart is recommended:
Bride & Groom:
* Sweetheart Table – A table set aside for just the bride and groom, groom sits to right of bride.
* Head Table – Usually includes the bride, groom, and bridal party
* Another option is to leave a few empty seats at each table so the bride and groom may mingle at each table throughout the reception
Parents of Bride and Groom:
* May sit at the same table opposite each other, with grandparents, officiant, and other close friends
* Each set of parents may host their own table and include their relatives and close friends
NOTE: It s a good idea for divorced parents to host their own tables individually, and include their relatives and close friends at their tables.
Guests:
* Seat friends together and mix in a few new faces. Make sure everyone knows someone at each table
* Guests who do not know anyone, seat them with others that share similar interests and are close in age
* Do not sit singles at a table full of couples; however it is also wise to not set aside a singles table (this may embarrass your single friends). To resolve this, mix singles and couples together at a table.
* Do not seat ex partners together, unless they are on good terms and say it’s ok
* Seat children at their own table, unless the only children are the flower girl and ring bearer. In this case, sit them with their parents
* To keep from having a left overs table (all the guest who wouldn’t fit at other tables) make sure to distribute them evenly at all tables
* Place elderly guests and pregnant women near bathroom facilities, and make sure to not place them at the tables that will be removed to make space after the meal
WORTH NOTING: Make sure if any of the guests are giving speeches or announcements, do not seat them where their back is to anyone!
Make sure you’ve included a plan for guiding all of your guests to their seats. This is usually in the form of escort and place cards. You may get as creative or simple as you like with this idea. See the list below for a few ideas. Remember: Escort cards are for guiding guests to their assigned table, and place cards are to inform them of their exact seat at the assigned table.
Escort Card Ideas:
* Double your escort cards as your wedding favors – Just add a tag with the guests name and table number to any of your wedding favors (fruit, candy, small toys, small plants, etc…)
* For smaller weddings, Polaroid pictures of each of your guests is a creative idea for escort cards. Use the space at the bottom to write their name and table number
* Candles – Great for evening weddings! Have them lit right before your guests arrive, and this will help guide them to their seats. Also, creates a dramatic look at the tables with each guest having their own lit candle.
* Peg board – Attach all your escort cards to a Velcro board and have your guests peel them off as they arrive
* Are you a wino? Take wine corks, slice them down the middle, and put a card with the guests name on the plate settings
* Have a champagne glass at each seat, place the name of the guest on a tag and slide inside of glass. Guests can easily and elegantly find their assigned seats
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