Ah, the wedding reception seating chart.
The thing that brides labor over for hours and hours before the big day and the thing that guests either love or dread. Everytime I attend a wedding as a guest and see the seating chart I have an “oh no, they have a seating chart” moment. As I pick up my name, I just hope and pray they are going to seat me next to someone I know and not some stranger. Sometimes it works out in my benefit, other times it doesn’t. When it doesn’t I am spent making small talk with someone I don’t know and will probably never see again. When it does work out that I’m with friends, that evening is enjoyable and more memorable!
Here are some tips for making the process of a seating chart go a little more smoothly and that your guests are happy with where they are seated for the evening!
- Seat close family near the head table. Parents, grandparents and siblings should all be seated the closest to the head table. Reserve these tables for them.
- Every guest should know someone. Each person at the table should know at least one other person at the table and not just the person they came with. This makes it more comfortable for each guest.
- Avoid seating people together who have a history they wish they could erase.
- Consider Guests’ needs and use common sense. Elderly guests should not be seated near the band or speakers. Seat younger guests, or those more likely to dance, near the dance floor, while older guests or those who might want to focus more on conversation, further away from the dance floor.
- It’s okay to ask for help. If you’re not sure where to seat your parent’s close friends, distant cousin or exes. A second set of eyes never hurt! Have someone else help you out or take a look after you have a rough draft of it.
At the end of the night, everyone will survive the seating chart.
