One of the most daunting tasks on your wedding to-do list is planning the seating chart. Having a seating chart gives guests the comfort of knowing they don’t have to figure out how to sit with other people they know. Even so, it’s not the easiest task for you to complete on your own. That’s why we wrote up this list of tips for planning the perfect seating chart for your wedding.
Organize, Organize, Organize
Start setting up the seating chart early, and do so in a spreadsheet. Organize guests by their relationship to you and your honey – your family, your partner’s family, each of your friends, family friends, etc. This will help you break everyone down into practical groups.
Start with the Head Table
Typically, this is a banquet-style, straight table with the bride and groom in the center facing everyone. Decide if you want your table to be set up this way or if you want a more private sweetheart table. Then place your bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls, and ring bearers where you see fit.
Place Your Parents
Your parents and your spouse’s parents traditionally sit at the same table, along with your grandparents and any siblings not in the wedding party. However, if parents are divorced or estranged, they may feel uncomfortable being seated together. In that case, you might want to seat them at separate tables surrounded by other family members. Pro Tip: Don’t be afraid to speak to the parents before you set your seating chart in stone.
Take Care of Tension
No family is perfect, so there may be certain members who do not get along. Whatever the reason, it’s very understandable to want to keep these guests as far away from each other as possible. Take these relationships into account first, so you can seat Cousin Jack at table four and have Cousin Joey across the room at table 14. Everyone will be better off for it.
Play Matchmaker
Do you and your spouse have two friends you think would be great together? Seat them at the same table! Sure, all of your college friends will be thrilled to sit with each other and catch up, but reception tables offer a great chance to mingle with people you’ve yet to meet.
The perfect seating chart is made complete in the perfect venue. Italian Center Banquets is the premiere venue option in Stamford, CT. With three beautiful rooms for you to choose from, we can accommodate your party of 60 to 600. Visit our website,or call us today at 203-322-6950.