Wedding receptions are made up of groups of guests ranging from family, friends, and co-workers. Such a grouping means some people will know one another, while others will be total strangers. There will be couples and singles, family, friends, siblings, and people of all ages. Coordinating a reception that is inclusive of everyone can often feel overwhelming.
The reception portion of the wedding celebration is where the guests will interact with one anther the most. Part of making the guests comfortable at the reception is making their seating arrangements as appropriate and comfortable as possible. No one likes being left to wonder where to sit, or have a table of strangers attempt to make awkward conversation. Creating a seating chart helps eliminate the problems and ensures that guests are guided toward an enjoyable time during the festivities.
Once all of the RVSPs have been received, take the list and begin to map out the seating chart.
Ask the venue for a copy of the floor plan. Most venues should be able to accommodate this request. If not, draw up a rough sketch of the layout and approximate where the tables will be. Make sure that you know the shape of the tables, how many people they seat, and how many people will be sitting at the head table.
The head table is the easiest to assign. The head table is where the bride, groom and the wedding party will sit throughout the meal portion of the reception. Immediate family, such as parents, grandparents and siblings are usually seated at the tables closest to the head tables.
Think about the groups of people which should be seated together. Think about not only those with similarities, but also those with differences. Be sensitive to those who might have some grudges or other issues with friends and family.
When creating the seating chart, it’s important to consider the personalities and the group dynamics of each overall table. Try to make sure that everyone at the table has at least one other guest with whom they are acquainted. It’s not necessary that each table be divided into peer groups, but rather try creating a comfortable mix which will help guests mingle.
At formal receptions, the guidelines require assigning a specific seat at a specific table for each guest. At a more informal wedding, the guidelines require just assigning a guest to a specific table.
Another item to consider when creating the chart is whether or not there will be a separate table for children. If there are a lot of children in attendance, having a table where they can eat and enjoy a wealth of activities might be something to consider. If not, seating children with their parents is fine.
Remember, planning a seating chart eliminates a lot of problems you might have at the reception. Take a little time to plan with the comfort of your guests in mind can ensure a happy and conflict-free wedding night.
