Whether you’re planning a Detroit city hall wedding, creating a backyard soiree, or working with a local event center to plan your impending nuptials, there’s one detail that you might not be looking forward to managing: the wedding reception table assignment. Many couples struggle to create the best wedding seating chart that ensures everyone has a great time and there’s no unnecessary drama among the guests.
Some couples forgo assigned tables and allow guests to sit where and with whomever they want. However, that can lead to chaos and hurt feelings if someone ends up sitting far from the happy couple or with other guests they don’t like. Creating a wedding reception seating plan takes time, but it can eliminate headaches and ensure everyone has a great time.
Give Yourself Time to Plan
Don’t leave the reception seating chart until the last minute, as you’ll only stress yourself out. As soon as you have a guest list and send out the invitations, you can start working on the table layout design to get a sense of how many tables there will be and how many people will sit at each one. You can make adjustments as RSVPs arrive.
It’s a good idea to map out the reception site with table placements. While you can use digital seat maps, there’s nothing wrong with making a sketch and writing your guests’ names on sticky notes, then moving them around as necessary as you figure out the table assignments.
Keep in mind that if you plan to provide escort cards, place cards, or a table assignment chart, you’ll need time to get them printed. A chart is best for assigning tables; if you want people to sit in specific seats, use place cards on the tables. Don’t forget to budget for these items in your wedding costs, either!
Who Sits Where? How To Prioritize Your Table Assignments
Once you have a sense of what the space will look like, you can start creating table assignments. This is where your guest list management and wedding planner skills will come into play, because you want every guest to feel special and welcome.
That said, remember that even despite your best efforts, there may be people who aren’t thrilled with where they’re seated or with whom. Don’t let that affect your day. Here are some wedding seating etiquette tips that can make the process easier.
Seat Yourselves First
It’s your wedding day, so decide where you want to sit and with whom (if anyone) first. Some couples opt to sit by themselves at a table near the front of the room, an arrangement known as the “sweetheart’s table.” Others opt for a traditional head table arrangement and sit with the wedding party and, in some cases, their parents.
However you decide to fill your table, the newlyweds should place their table in a central location that’s visible to all the other tables, so everyone can see them.
Seat the Wedding Party Next
Although traditional wedding seating etiquette dictates that the bride’s attendants and groomsmen sit at the head table, with their plus-ones at other tables, you have options. Some couples with smaller wedding parties invite their plus-ones to sit at the head table as well, or seat everyone at other tables near the bride and groom.
Decide Where Family Will Sit
The next group to seat is your families, including parents, grandparents, and siblings (and their spouses or plus-ones), if they aren’t part of the wedding party or seated at the head table. You don’t have to separate your families at different tables; feel free to mix things up and give everyone a chance to get to know each other.
However, if either of your parents are divorced and they don’t want to sit together, you could give each their own table to host and seat other friends and family with them.
Include a Kid’s Table
If you’re including children in the festivities, designate a kid’s table especially for them. Placing this table away from the bar, but close to the dance floor, is the best strategy — kids are often the first to start showing off their moves. Teens also typically appreciate having their own table where they can interact with people their age.
Placing the Remaining Guests
Some couples try to play matchmaker by seating their single friends at one table or placing random people who don’t know each other together just to get the seating assignment task done.
However, the best wedding seating chart is one where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, and that usually means seating people with others who they already know. For example, instead of spreading your co-workers or college roommates out around the room where they’ll sit next to your great-aunt or your next-door neighbor, seat them together. Focusing on common interests when making seating assignments helps ensure everyone has great conversations and enjoys themselves.
In some cases, you might need to ask your parents for help deciding where to place their guests if you don’t know them well. They’ll know who should sit together (and who definitely should not) and can help you make the right arrangements.
Don’t Lose Sleep Over the Wedding Reception Seating Chart
With so much on your mind as you plan your special day, you don’t need to stress about the reception table assignments. Just create the best wedding seating chart you can, then turn your attention to other priorities, like finding ideas for decorating wedding tables. Ultimately, the reception is only a few hours, and (hopefully) most people will be up on the dance floor enjoying themselves, not worrying about where they’re sitting.
If you need more help planning your wedding, check out City Hall Weddings’ collection of resources on everything from selecting a wedding party to writing your vows. You can also contact us directly for help planning a magical and meaningful city hall wedding. Reach out to request help today.