Wedding Etiquette for Seating Arrangements
One of the most dreaded chores when planning a wedding is designing the seating chart. Many couples are choosing to forgo this task, which often leads to chaos and confusion at the reception. Much of the distaste for completing a seating chart may be due to the confusion about what is proper and what is not. Once you know the correct etiquette for wedding reception seating, creating your own seating chart will not be intimidating.
Other People Are Reading
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To Assign or Not
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When guests are left to fend for themselves, they are often unsure and confused. Groups of friends or relatives may wander aimlessly, searching for a table that can accommodate all of them. This does not mean, however, that you must assign every single seat if you would rather not. There is a happy medium. Assign each guest only to a particular table and allow them to decide where to sit. This way, guests are provided with direction but you do not seem like (or feel like) a bridezilla or groomzilla.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
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You've found your perfect match, but matching up who should sit with who can be even more difficult. Depending upon how many people your tables can seat, fitting everyone who wants to sit together at one table may be impossible. Even if you cannot seat a guest with everyone he would like at his table, make sure that he knows at least one person there. Next, assign people to that table based on similar interests or experiences. And if you have a single guest or two who might hit it off, this is your chance to play your hand at matchmaking.
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Arrangement
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When arranging the tables in your space, leave enough room so that guests and serving staff can maneuver easily. If guests are seated far from people that they would like to speak to, they will mingle before dinner. You do not want people bumping into the tables or serving staff accidentally spilling food or drinks because the room is too compacted. Place the seating chart in a conspicuous area so that it is easy to locate and make the font large enough to be read easily.
Ice Breakers
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If you are worried that your guests will have trouble speaking to each other or finding things in common, try easing the situation by providing ice breakers. For example, name each table after an important date that you and your significant other attended and place a picture frame on the table that contains that story of that date. Your guests may find that they also attended that concert or that they all have visited that park.
Another idea is to create trivia cards with questions about the bride and groom. For example, "Sally said when she met Sam, the first thing she noticed about him was his: A. Eyes B. Hair C. Shoes." Guests can take turns asking each other the questions and guessing the answers (which should be printed on the backs of the cards).
Family-Style
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If all else fails, and your guests simply cannot be separated, try family-style seating. One, two, or three long tables are used so that everyone is seated closely together. The food is often placed in the middle of the table so that it can be passed around, which prompts everyone to speak to each other. The best part is, nobody is left sitting by the bathroom and feeling unwanted and the bride and groom are able to speak to all of their guests and thank them personally for attending the wedding.
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