Wedding Reception Seating

Setting up your wedding reception seating does not have to be a scary thing to do. There is some common wedding reception seating etiquette that you will want to consider when you are arranging it though.

Sometimes a couple will just reserve the first few tables that are closest to the front for grandparents, parents and immediate family of the bride and groom and allow the rest of the tables to be first come first serve. Other couples will reserve those first two tables and put signs on the rest to define the type of guests that they would like to sit at that table. For example, tables closer to the front will have signs on them indicating Groom’s relatives and Bride’s relatives, while tables closer to the back would have signs indicating friends or coworkers of the bride and groom. Another way that can be considered is to have a seating chart and decide in advance where everyone will be sitting.

A wedding reception seating chart is easy to make as long as you keep a few things in the back of your mind. If the groom and the bride have a large difference in the number of guests from their family, you are going to want to mix them together on the seating chart so that there is not an overpowering presence of one over the other on each side of the room. When mixing guests who do not know each other at the same tables. It is a good idea to put a couple of guests that know each other with a couple of guests who do not, that way, they will know and visit with some people at the table and feel more confident introducing themselves to those that they do not know.

No matter how to decide to lay out your wedding reception seatings, be sure that the more important guests get tables closer to the head table and podium. The grandparents are not going to appreciate being put at the back of the room where they cannot see or hear what is going on. Wedding reception seating plans can be found online to give you a start on your layout that will ensure everyone has a good time.

It is also a good idea to visit with each table during the reception. The earlier in the evening the better, that way you can introduce guests to each other that you have noticed are not already conversing with each other. If you wait to long to do your rounds, the guests at each table who are not outgoing enough to introduce themselves may have an awkward time at your reception.