Trying to decide on seating arrangements for your wedding guests can be both challenging and time-consuming. While assigned seating isn't mandatory, it is very helpful and makes things so much easier especially when it comes to sit-down dinners. We like the idea of a seating chart because it allows you to maximize your tablespace. To eliminate any confusion for your guests or wait staff, we recommend providing a seating chart and that's why we come up with 5 Pro Tips for Designing Your Wedding Reception Seating Chart.
5 Pro Tips for Designing Your Wedding Reception Seating Chart - Photographer: Nicee Martin
1. Decide on Your Table Style
First on our list of 5 Pro Tips for Designing Your Wedding Reception Seating Chart is the table style. Check with your wedding venue, prior to booking, to see whether they offer round, square, oval, or rectangular tables. Different table styles have different benefits. For instance, rectangular tables may provide more seating, and round tables may offer guests more legroom. Nevertheless, you have the option to rent tables that fit the design and decor of your wedding. Be sure to work with your wedding planner to decide which is best.
2. Decide Where Your Parents Will Sit
As tradition has it, all of the parents are seated together along with grandparents and siblings that are not a part of the wedding party. This will allow your parents and in-laws a chance to chat and get to know each other. On the other hand, if your parents are divorced, consider seating them on opposite ends of a rectangular table if you think there will be any sort of friction between them.
3. Decide on Group Seating
Also, on our 5 Pro Tips for Designing Your Wedding Reception Seating Chart is group seating. It would be beneficial to your wedding guests to be seated among people they are familiar with. This makes them feel more comfortable. You can group your coworkers, high school friends, or family members at their own tables.
4. Decide on Kids Table
If you are having children at your wedding, you should consider seating them together. This would be a good opportunity to keep the children occupied with different activities. The key, however, is to not place the children too far away from their parents. Younger children may get upset when they don't see their parents anywhere.
5. Decide On a Sweetheart Table
Since you are the "star of the show", you want to decide whether or not you will be having a sweetheart table. Having a sweetheart table will give you time to talk and take additional photos with just the two of you. Also, with a sweetheart table, your friends and family can come up and talk to you as opposed to you having to visit all your guests individually. If you choose not to have a sweetheart table, then you need to decide whether you would sit with your family or at the wedding party table.
If you would like to learn more about 5 Pro Tips for Designing Your Wedding Reception Seating Chart, contact us to speak to one of our wedding planners.