Although it may seem like a daunting task, particularly as you need to leave this relatively close to the big day before you can complete it, your seating plan needn’t be stressful!
There are a few tricks to making the whole process as painless as possible; and you can even put your own stamp on this aspect of the day. Begin with thinking about whether you would like a top table or not. Even if you decide the top table should just consist of the bride’s parents, the groom’s parents, the best man, the chief bridesmaid, the ushers and bridesmaids. Although it’s completely up to you, remember, the only big rule is that the bride and groom sit next to each other.
Next, you need to consider is the table arrangement. Ask your reception venue or your furniture supplier about the different sorts of tables they provide. Always ask for the measurements of each one (important for incorporating décor) and how many the table sits. They can be set out in a number of different ways the most popular being in a circle, an E-shape, refectory style, in a zig-zag, in a horseshoe.
Tips for Organising Your Seating Plan
- Allow yourselves at least a week to create a seating plan. Give the phone numbers of those who haven’t yet RSVP’d yet to a relative or friend who can chase up the final numbers for you.
- As soon as you know your final numbers, get in touch with your venue and or caterers to give numbers and to confirm the final table arrangements.
- Sit down with your groom to draw out a plan of who will sit where. You can use post-its to reorganize guests… Just remember to hand in a more official version to your wedding venue!
- Sit people who may have similar interests with each other together and don’t be afraid to mix and match the bride and groom’s party. Mix outgoing people in with introverted people and seat all of your teens together!
- Consider your guests possible needs. If you have anyone who has accessibility needs, make sure they are in an area that is easy to roam about. For elderly guests, make sure they are in a well lit area and not too close to the band.
- If you’re not having so many tables, why not name them instead of number them! Get creative and use names of the places you first met, birth places, where the proposal happened. Or you could signify each table number with a photo of either of you at that age! Use your imagination and this will be great talking point, especially for those who’ve never met before.
Image via Brides Cafe via Jasmine Amber Photography
