A wedding seating plan is key when you are planning a wedding with a large amount of guests. Not only will it help the reception go smoothly, it will help to prevent a mad dash when it is time to sit down for the wedding breakfast. In a recent poll 95% of guests agreed that they prefer to be seated by an arranged seating plan. As the bride and groom you can select where your guests will be seated and put them together with others who you know they will be happy with. With a wedding meal usually lasting around 2-3 hours it is paramount that the people you have invited to share and celebrate your special day are amongst those whom they will get along with. By planning your seating arrangements carefully, you can ensure your guests will enjoy the day more. You certainly don't want to be breaking up a fight in your between guests that don't see eye to eye and have started bickering about not wanting to sit on the same table due to the fact there are no other seats left.
As UK tradition goes the Bride and Groom are usually sat in the centre of the top table with the Bride's parents sat either side of them, followed by the Groom's and subsequently the Chief Bridesmaid and the Best Man. Close family and friends are then placed close to the top table. There are many alternative top table set ups, so don't feel you have to follow tradition. These alternative seating plans are great if you have parents that have separated and are now with new partners or you may want to include your grandparents on the top table too. Of course you don't even have to have a top table, if you so wish. You could have a table set up for just the new Mr and Mrs, or arrange to be seated with your bestest of friends.
You should start devising your seating plan as soon as you can after choosing your wedding venue. There really is no need to wait for all your RSVPs to arrive on the door mat! Use an online seating planner or a spreadsheet - it will save time and reduce paper waste as there will most likely be several revisions. By opting to use one of these it enables you to make changes and amendments in an instant rather than having to keep drawing it out by hand which after a couple of times would prove highly irritating. If some guests are then unable to attend due to unexpected events such as illness it gives you an easy and quick way to make adjustments. These can then be simply printed off before being handed over to your venue. Visit your venue and have a chat to them about what tables are available on your big day and if they are round, long or both. They should be able to give you some advice as how best to lay out the tables in your reception room.
When putting your plan together do take into consideration that if you put your guests into family groups then they might lost the opportunity to mingle. You don't want to put people on tables where no one knows each other, however try to even it out by bearing in mind your guests' ages and interests. It can prove awkward for singletons as guests coming with a partner are always seated together. If you fancy doing a spot of matchmaking then try not to make it too apparent and don't have a table just full of single people! On round tables the usual plan is to have males and females sitting alternatively around the table whilst on a long table couples are seated opposite each other with alternating males and females next to each other. The tables closest to you as a married couple should be reserved for your closest family and friends. To help people find their table with ease you could number or name each table, or why not opt for a theme that works around the theme of your wedding day.
Once you have your seating plan printed, it is usually situated at the entrance of the reception. Your guests can have a look and find out where they are going to sit before entering the room, allowing them to find their place easily and possibly breathing a sigh of relief to find they are not sat next to a particular person! The theme of your wedding can also be incorporated into the design of your seating plan, perhaps even matching your wedding stationery. By having place cards at each table, your guests will be seated more efficiently and it will assist your waiting and catering staff throughout the serving of your meal.
However you choose to seat your guests, the key is to do what makes you and your guests comfortable, it is, after all your wedding day! And don't forget about your comfort - some can be challenging to sit in, so do make sure you can sit down in yours before your final fitting. The last thing you want to hear is a ripping sound as you sit down in your fishtail wedding dress!
As UK tradition goes the Bride and Groom are usually sat in the centre of the top table with the Bride's parents sat either side of them, followed by the Groom's and subsequently the Chief Bridesmaid and the Best Man. Close family and friends are then placed close to the top table. There are many alternative top table set ups, so don't feel you have to follow tradition. These alternative seating plans are great if you have parents that have separated and are now with new partners or you may want to include your grandparents on the top table too. Of course you don't even have to have a top table, if you so wish. You could have a table set up for just the new Mr and Mrs, or arrange to be seated with your bestest of friends.
You should start devising your seating plan as soon as you can after choosing your wedding venue. There really is no need to wait for all your RSVPs to arrive on the door mat! Use an online seating planner or a spreadsheet - it will save time and reduce paper waste as there will most likely be several revisions. By opting to use one of these it enables you to make changes and amendments in an instant rather than having to keep drawing it out by hand which after a couple of times would prove highly irritating. If some guests are then unable to attend due to unexpected events such as illness it gives you an easy and quick way to make adjustments. These can then be simply printed off before being handed over to your venue. Visit your venue and have a chat to them about what tables are available on your big day and if they are round, long or both. They should be able to give you some advice as how best to lay out the tables in your reception room.
When putting your plan together do take into consideration that if you put your guests into family groups then they might lost the opportunity to mingle. You don't want to put people on tables where no one knows each other, however try to even it out by bearing in mind your guests' ages and interests. It can prove awkward for singletons as guests coming with a partner are always seated together. If you fancy doing a spot of matchmaking then try not to make it too apparent and don't have a table just full of single people! On round tables the usual plan is to have males and females sitting alternatively around the table whilst on a long table couples are seated opposite each other with alternating males and females next to each other. The tables closest to you as a married couple should be reserved for your closest family and friends. To help people find their table with ease you could number or name each table, or why not opt for a theme that works around the theme of your wedding day.
Once you have your seating plan printed, it is usually situated at the entrance of the reception. Your guests can have a look and find out where they are going to sit before entering the room, allowing them to find their place easily and possibly breathing a sigh of relief to find they are not sat next to a particular person! The theme of your wedding can also be incorporated into the design of your seating plan, perhaps even matching your wedding stationery. By having place cards at each table, your guests will be seated more efficiently and it will assist your waiting and catering staff throughout the serving of your meal.
However you choose to seat your guests, the key is to do what makes you and your guests comfortable, it is, after all your wedding day! And don't forget about your comfort - some can be challenging to sit in, so do make sure you can sit down in yours before your final fitting. The last thing you want to hear is a ripping sound as you sit down in your fishtail wedding dress!
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