Once you know how many guests you are seating you can start planning where to put them all!
A good place to start is with the reception venue. They may have a floor plan and table chart printed
out that you can begin to play with. They will also be able to tell you how many seats go to a table.
Use a pencil to mark in names on a chart or cut out names on paper to move around on the floor. You
could even write names on to Fuzzy Felt to work out the seating plan.
You'll need to decide whether to mix up the groom's and bride's guests on tables or seat people together
who already know each other. You could consider seating people together who have similar interests or occupations, or maybe
having a mixed singles table - a much better option than putting a lone singleton with a table of couples and children.
Don't seat elderly guests near the band, and think about where young children will be seated. Some couples
put children together with books and colouring crayons, but make sure there's a suitable adult to look after them.
Avoiding seating stress
- If parents are divorced, they should be seated close to their new partners.
- If you don’t want a top table, why not sit at a round one? This way, no one is offended and
you won’t feel on display.
- Other bridesmaids, ushers and close family members are normally seated close to the top table.
- It’s a good idea to place couples on the same table, though they don’t necessarily have
to sit next to each other.
- It’s worth separating guests who you know won’t get on and sit them together with those
they do get on with.
- Small children should be seated either with their parents or on a special children’s table.
Top table seating
If you're having a sit-down reception meal, it's traditional to have a top table for the members of
the wedding party. Here are four options to help you coordinate your seating plan:
