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Helpful
Articles & Wedding Planning Tips
Tips
For Preparing The Seating Chart
By
Adam
Wolf, PlacesEveryone.com
Congratulations on your upcoming
wedding! As you begin planning your "big day," here
are a few things to remember when planning your seating at the
reception.
First and foremost: Do what
you think would make you and your guests most comfortable. Some
people like to plan tables with just one family group. Some like
to mix it up. It all depends on you, your family and friends.
As a general rule, try to arrange a mixture. By thinking about
guests' ages and interests you can make sure that each table
is likely to get on and have fun!
Keep it visual. Use a seating
planner (like Places Everyone) that will let you see where
all the guests, tables, the band or DJ, cake table, and bar(s)
will be located. It's important to remember the small things
like some of your older guests may not want to sit right next
to the music speakers and that pregnant women may want to be
closer to the rest-rooms.
Go through your response cards
and make sure everyone is accounted for, including those who
responded verbally and members of the wedding party, as well
as their spouses and children. If you don't know where to seat
them at first, don't worry write them down and put them
on the side of your planner. You can move them as you go along.
Don't worry about assigning
seats just tables. Doing this will make it easier for you
and allow your guests to mingle at the table.
If you are having a dais/head
table, remember to list those who will sit there. You will want
their spouses or partners seated at a table nearby.
List the names of couples
and their small children in groups, so you can seat the family
together.
Small children should sit
with their parents. A children's table might include tweens and/or
teens. Older teens should be seated at the regular guest tables,
not necessarily with their parents.
Decide who will sit at the
family table or tables: parents, siblings and their families,
the officiant and his or her spouse, godparents, etc.
Be sensitive: Divorced people
may not want to be seated with their former spouses, same-sex
couples should not be seated with people who could be insensitive.
Know who to seat those who should be closer (and further) from
the bar areas.
Try to help your guests can
find their seats easily. Number the tables in a logical order
so they'll be easy to locate. If you are using names instead
of numbers, make sure the name cards are clear, so that guests
can easily find their table.
Seating planning can be the
most stressful part of your wedding planning. Relax, start early
and don't be afraid to change your mind. By using a good planning
tool for your seating arrangements, you should be able
organize the reception and keep your sanity too!
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