Stress-free Strategies for Seating Guests at Your Wedding Reception

Strategizing over the seating chart is typically a final duty on your wedding to-do list. If you want to appease both sides of the family, it can also be quite the challenge for the prospective bride and groom. Whether you’re having a party of 25 or 250 guests, the following strategies can help you ensure everyone has the best seat in the house.

Allow Sufficient Time

It can be quite challenging to put money aside, especially when you’re planning for a wedding. But staying within budget can offer you a debt-free start in life as a couple. Intimate weddings are ideal for helping to stay within your budget. It can also prove beneficial if you’re seating guests. No matter if your venue is large or small, you don’t want to wait until the very last minute to plan your wedding seating. This can add a great deal of stress to an already anxious time. You may also place guests in awkward situations if you go over the seating chart last minute. Try to get the seating charge completed at least three weeks before your wedding date. If you need to, make last minute changes dependent on cancellations and last minute acceptances.

Create a Spreadsheet

Personalized mints, stemware and other customized goodies can add flair to your wedding. Shop for unique wedding favors and ideas that match your style and budget. If you have a party theme in mind, match the keepsakes to that particular design. If you’re having trouble staying organized, keep records on a laptop. This can include a wedding folder for important phone numbers, contact lists and addresses. A spreadsheet will also help you organize your seating chart based on guests in attendance and those who have declined. Categorize the guests by family, friends, co-workers and so on. When you’re looking to make out the table seating, you’ll be able to logically sort those who should be seated with one another. If you’re more of a visual person, draw tables and write the names of the guests. Your reception venue should be able to tell you exactly how many people can be seated comfortably per table.

Heads or Tails on the Head Table

When you’re planning your wedding, you don’t have to stay within the typical traditions. Since this is your special day, you get to pick out the things that suit your feelings and tastes most. While many weddings seat the bride, groom and wedding party members on risers in front of guests, you can choose a round table mixed within the other tables. You can also choose who you would like to be seated with. If you select a long head table, bridesmaids and groomsmen are typically seated on opposite sides. You can also let your bridal party be seated together, and opt to sit at a table with your parents and grandparents.

Ease Tensions

Families are far from perfect, and there may be tensions between siblings, aunts, uncles or grandparents. If certain family members haven’t spoken to one another in quite some time, you want to ensure that certain guests keep their distance. Your parents may be a great resource in understanding who gets along and those who may be warring with one another. Before you begin the seating chart, ask for their insight.

Stop Overthinking the Process

Your guests are only going to be seated throughout the meal. Once you’ve finished eating, most people find themselves mingling, dancing or making their way to the open bar. Although you want to make the reception seating chart perfect, don’t overthink the process. You’ve spent months budgeting for your wedding, so place guests where you think they’ll enjoy catching up with one another over dinner. Allow them to make their own cliques afterward.

Don’t Sweat Last Minute Changes

Guests are going to throw you a few curveballs as you near your wedding date. It’s important not to stress over the changes. If an individual cancels last minute or they decide they want to include a plus-one, you may need to do some reshuffling. Instead of changing your seating chart, keep a table open for last minute guests.

The excitement of RSVP cards filling your mailbox can be exhilarating when planning your wedding. Seeing the throngs of guests who’ve decided to attend your big day can also be overwhelming as you plan on where to seat everyone. Using the above strategies, you’ll be able to create a safe spot for friends and family and alleviate the stress that often comes with seating chart preparation.