arranging your wedding seating plan

Arranging the wedding seating plan can seem like a minefield, but it does not need to be. Read on for tips about how to seat guests effortlessly and ensure you get the style of top table that is right for you.

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should you have assigned seating at a wedding?

Yes. The trendy idea of guests seating themselves can seem like a relaxed option. However, in reality, this can make guests feel more worried about having to make this choice themselves. Well-known guests will fill up tables quickly, save chairs and those who know fewer people will instantly feel unpopular and isolated. Where possible, avoid choosing this option and instead follow the below guidance.

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how to seat guests at a wedding reception?

Step 1: People that dislike each other or those that do not get along should be seated at different tables. It may be just one meal, but it should nevertheless be an enjoyable one for all.

Step 2: For everyone else, try to portion out that a few people know each other on each table or, where possible, allow a table to consist entirely of one friendship group.

Step 3: Avoid the singles table; guests will quickly figure this out and feel rather embarrassed. Your wedding day is a day of celebration for all, and there is no need to force people outside their comfort zones.

Step 4: To ease seating arrangements, do not be worried about having unequally weighted tables. No one will notice if they are on a smaller table, and this will enable you to allocate seats more easily.

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how to get conversations flowing at your wedding reception

A lot of couples get concerned that their guests may not have a good time or that conversations at the tables may be limited. If this is a concern you share, then try one of the below tried and tested methods to get the chat going:

• Putting a short trivia quiz on each table can get a group of relative strangers laughing in no time at all.


• Giving a table a quick quiz on the bride/groom can be a fun conversation starter.


• Make sure that centrepieces do not block cross-table conversations.


• In between courses, have a walk around and chat with tables, the conversations you start will continue long after you have left.


• Play upbeat background music; this will encourage guests to feel that discussions will not break the silence and will keep people in the party spirit.


• Naming tables and grouping people by a common theme or hobby can help to allow guests to build commonality quickly.

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wedding top table: Round or rectangular table plan?

The shape of the top table is ultimately the bride and groom's choice, but do check what your venue will accommodate first. Remember this is your day and whatever will mean that you get the most enjoyment out of your wedding breakfast is the only consideration to base your decision on.

It is traditional to have a straight top table, but there are plenty of examples to challenge the critics. From my own experience, a circle table made our families feel more at ease rather than being on show.

wedding top table: Who sits with the bride and groom?

Traditionally, the guests sitting at the top table would include the newlyweds, both sets of parents, best man and maid of honour.

The rest of the bridal party would then be sat on a second table very close by. However, your big day only needs to be as traditional as you want it to be.

Where possible, try to include both sets of parents, but beyond this create a table of guests who you will enjoy spending additional time with.

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how to create a wedding seating chart

Before creating your wedding plan board, it is worthwhile checking with your wedding venue about where these usually are placed, in case they have equipment that can be loaned or can advise on a certain wedding chart size to opt for.

DIY wedding seat chart ideas:

• Handwritten lists which are pegged to string and hung along a backboard.
• Printed table lists backed on a foam board with a pattern of your choice.
• Multi-photo frames with each frame containing a different table
• Table lists written on luggage tags and then pinned to countries that you have visited as a couple on a world map (below)

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how to create low-cost place cards

As with anything containing the word ‘wedding', there are many options for buying place cards, but these can be made quickly and relatively cheaply.

how to make place cards yourself:

1. Business cards folded in half lengthwise make an ideal place card size/shape and business cards in any design can be ordered blank online or with a one-sided print to match your other wedding stationery very cheaply.

2. Add names with a permanent black calligraphy marker (these can be bought for under £2 in any stationery shop). Or print names onto address labels and stick these on the business cards.

Blank name cards can also be purchased in any low -cost card store or stationers, and these are often in packs of up to 50 at a time.

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