The Wedding Seating Plan

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Do I Even Need A Wedding Seating Plan?

Did you know that in a recent online poll, 95% of people said that as a guest they'd prefer to have a wedding seating plan?

For anything larger than a small, informal reception, a wedding seating plan is likely to make a significant difference to the success of your reception. A wedding seating plan will almost certainly help things run more smoothly.

Guests are saved from the mad panic of trying to find a seat on a table with their friends/family, and you can place people where they'll be happiest! The wedding meal may last for 2-3 hours and is a significant part of the day. If your guests are sitting with people they get along with, it will make a big difference to their enjoyment of the day.

There are a number of options for your seating plan:

No plan at all - best for stand up buffets or small, informal events.
Assign guests to tables - you allocate guests to tables, but the choice of seat is theirs.
Assign guests to seats - you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.

Who Sits Where On The Top/Head Table?

In the UK, the Bride and Groom would traditionally sit in the middle of the top table flanked by both sets of parents and finally by the best man and chief bridesmaid.

Traditional wedding top table seating plan

Traditional UK wedding top table seating plan
See alternatives, such as US style head table layout

Don't forget, there are plenty of alternative top table layouts available to you, including the US-style head table. Some layouts can be particularly useful when parents have split up and are possibly with a new partner. In many cases it is helpful to abandon the restrictions which tend to come with top table plans. Perhaps a romantic 'sweetheart' table for two, or even sitting with friends, rather than family might be a solution? After all, it's your event.

Wedding seating plan created using Toptableplanner

6 Tips for Successful Seating Plans

Mix it up. If you seat your guests in family groups, people lose the chance to mingle. On the other hand, seating people on tables where they know no one might not be a good idea either. Try to strike a balance, and bear in mind people's interests and ages.
Think about singles. Those guests coming with a partner are always seated together. But with tables often having an even number of places, this can be awkward with singles. Matchmaking might be a fun idea - but don't force people, or make it too obvious! Never have a table dedicated to singles.
Male/female seating. If you're using round tables, then the usual seating plan is to have males and females sitting alternately round the table. For long tables, have couples seated opposite each other. Along the length of the table you should still try to alternate males and females.
The closest tables. No matter what type of seating plan arrangement you choose, always try to make sure that those tables closest to the Bride and Groom are reserved for your closest friends and family.
Table names & cards. To simplify people finding their table, why not give each table a number - or better still, a name. Perhaps a theme could be used that's suited to you as a couple? There's no rule that says tables can't be named rather than numbered. If your seating plan has named tables, this immediately removes the problem of having a perceived hierarchy. We've compiled a few ideas for wedding table names to give you some inspiration.
Make sure you use clear name cards for your guests. This will help them find their seat quickly and easily. If you include a few details such as whether they are vegetarian or not, this may greatly help the waiting staff. Don't forget to give a copy of your seating plan to the staff as well in this case.

If you remember only one thing...

Do what you think would make you and your guests most comfortable.

Creating the Wedding Seating Plan

When should you start your wedding seating plan? The answer is - as soon as possible! Certainly don't wait for all of your RSVPs to come in or you'll end up having a huge rush to try to organise the whole seating plan at the last moment. You'll know about your close friends and family, so start working out a seating plan as soon as possible.

It's always a good idea to visit the venue and ask them about the availability of tables, whether there are long tables, round, or both. The venue may be able to offer advice on the best way to fit tables into the room. Knowing what's available, and having a general idea about possible seating plans will allow you to start thinking about your own plan.

If you intend to draw a plan out on paper - make sure you have a huge pad, plenty of pencils and a lot of time! There will almost certainly be numerous revisions - some major, some minor. If you decide to use sticky bits of paper, this can become very fiddly. Save time, spare yourself a headache and reduce waste paper - use a more dynamic solution such as Excel, or an online wedding seating planner such as Toptableplanner.

Seating Planning Software

Using a simple-to-use computer-based seating planner such as Toptableplanner you'll be able to make major changes with a few clicks, and minor changes in much less time than it would take to draw it all out again by hand. There are so often instances when changes have to be made the day before because someone is ill or otherwise unable to attend. Making changes to your seating plan the day before your wedding isn't good for the nerves!

Once you've made your changes, printing copies off for the venue is quick and simple. When it comes to wedding seating plans - thank goodness for the twenty first century!

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¹ Source: Confetti wedding forum - Feb 2008.