Seating Chart 101
A seating chart in some format is a MUST when it comes to a wedding reception guest count of 50+ or more. That, of course is my opinion, but it sure does make your reception seating flow a lot smoother.
Getting a seating chart "right" means your wedding guests will be happy. Check out the suggestions below to help you navigate through this tedious, puzzle-solving task:
- Develop your floor plan with your wedding planner and venue manger to determine the placement of tables and the maximum number of guests that can be seated at those tables.
- Determine how you and your new spouse will be seated. Will you sit at a sweetheart table for just you two or at a head table with your wedding party?
- Seat your V.I.P guests (parents, grandparents, siblings, etc) first and at the tables nearest to your table.
- Now it's time to start grouping your guests based on how many can be seated comfortably at specific tables. Biggest suggestion I can make is to group people that know one another together and do not create a 'singles table'. It can be seen as offensive.
Then finally, you must determine how you want to display your guest's seating arrangements. Will you use escort cards displayed on a decorated table as they arrive at the reception? Will you create a seating chart that will display the guest's name and table assignment in a large format? Or will you consult with your wedding planner or designer to come up with a unique and efficient way to display the guest's seating assignment?
Until next time...WEDologize!
Photography by Juancho SC Photography and Rush Productions