Wedding Reception Seating Plans
Putting together your wedding reception seating plan is easier said than done. There are a number of variables at play when determining who should sit where.
Families
Often couples seat their own families together but that is not always the best approach. In fact it may be better to split families up so that they can interact with members of the other family and with friends of each family. Family feuds can certainly present some logistical problems. You obviously don't want to seat warring factions together! People do measure their own self-importance and relevance by how far they are seated from the bridal table. Make sure you are not seen to be taking sides by placing factions equidistant to the bridal table.
Similar Aged Guests with Similar Interests
As a rule of thumb people of a similar age and with similar interests should be seated together. There is nothing more uncomfortable than feeling like you do not fit in with the other people on your table. Most of us have experienced that at some point. The biggest challenge is often to seat people who don't really fit in with your other guests.
Children
Some couples will refuse to have children at their reception. They can be a handful and a source of distraction during speeches etc. If you do invite children to your wedding you may want to have a table especially for the older children and teenagers. You may also like to consider having an activity station or area for the younger kids as they can get bored and fractious very easily. Babies and toddlers should obviously be seated with their parents or guardians. Space will be needed for a high chair.
The Party Animals
It's always a good idea to avoide sitting your 'raucous' guests together. We have all been to weddings where the party animals are seated together and feed off each other. Their behaviour can be tempered if they are seated with more reserved guests.
Couples
Couples obviously need to be seated together and sometimes single people you think might be a good match could be seated together. I actually met my wife at a wedding because we were put together as singles and our hosts thought would be well matched. How right they were!
People With Special Needs
People with special needs need special consideration. Disabled guests and pregnant women need more seating space and should be positioned closest to the toilets. They should also have room to move. People with poor eyesight should be close to the bridal table. As I mentioned in my article 'Hearing Aids & Amplified Music' (click here) people with hearing aids should not be seated anywhere near the loudspeakers. It may also be appropriate to seat people with special dietary needs on the one table. This may help the venue with food service.
No Seating Plan
Of course you can choose to not have a seating plan and for guests to sit where they like. This is not recommended. Guests arriving late are often seated with people they may be incompatible with and there is the embarrassment of seats being 'reserved' and people being told they can't sit at a table because the seats are being held for other guests.
Once the meal is finished and the dancing begins, people have ample time to mingle with other guests so it's not like they will be stuck with those on their tables for the whole night. But do spend time considering all of the above when you put together your seating plan.
Seating Plan Software
There is a suite of software available to help you devise a seating plan. Many are either shareware or cost money to purchase/download. Here is one freeware application that is worth looking at:
Fee seating plan software - (click here)
Earl Cole
Singer, entertainer, DJ & MC
www.earlcolemusic.com
Families
Often couples seat their own families together but that is not always the best approach. In fact it may be better to split families up so that they can interact with members of the other family and with friends of each family. Family feuds can certainly present some logistical problems. You obviously don't want to seat warring factions together! People do measure their own self-importance and relevance by how far they are seated from the bridal table. Make sure you are not seen to be taking sides by placing factions equidistant to the bridal table.
Similar Aged Guests with Similar Interests
As a rule of thumb people of a similar age and with similar interests should be seated together. There is nothing more uncomfortable than feeling like you do not fit in with the other people on your table. Most of us have experienced that at some point. The biggest challenge is often to seat people who don't really fit in with your other guests.
Children
Some couples will refuse to have children at their reception. They can be a handful and a source of distraction during speeches etc. If you do invite children to your wedding you may want to have a table especially for the older children and teenagers. You may also like to consider having an activity station or area for the younger kids as they can get bored and fractious very easily. Babies and toddlers should obviously be seated with their parents or guardians. Space will be needed for a high chair.
The Party Animals
It's always a good idea to avoide sitting your 'raucous' guests together. We have all been to weddings where the party animals are seated together and feed off each other. Their behaviour can be tempered if they are seated with more reserved guests.
Couples
Couples obviously need to be seated together and sometimes single people you think might be a good match could be seated together. I actually met my wife at a wedding because we were put together as singles and our hosts thought would be well matched. How right they were!
People With Special Needs
People with special needs need special consideration. Disabled guests and pregnant women need more seating space and should be positioned closest to the toilets. They should also have room to move. People with poor eyesight should be close to the bridal table. As I mentioned in my article 'Hearing Aids & Amplified Music' (click here) people with hearing aids should not be seated anywhere near the loudspeakers. It may also be appropriate to seat people with special dietary needs on the one table. This may help the venue with food service.
No Seating Plan
Of course you can choose to not have a seating plan and for guests to sit where they like. This is not recommended. Guests arriving late are often seated with people they may be incompatible with and there is the embarrassment of seats being 'reserved' and people being told they can't sit at a table because the seats are being held for other guests.
Once the meal is finished and the dancing begins, people have ample time to mingle with other guests so it's not like they will be stuck with those on their tables for the whole night. But do spend time considering all of the above when you put together your seating plan.
Seating Plan Software
There is a suite of software available to help you devise a seating plan. Many are either shareware or cost money to purchase/download. Here is one freeware application that is worth looking at:
Fee seating plan software - (click here)
Earl Cole
Singer, entertainer, DJ & MC
www.earlcolemusic.com
This article has been read 1540 times.
Pete Smith wrote: