How To

How to Design a Traditional Wedding Seating Chart

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(0 Ratings)

A traditional wedding requires a seating chart because the meal is a large portion of the celebration. Mixing family and friends who may not know each other is a huge deal and makes an impact on their enjoyment. Consider the following guidelines to decide how to arrange the guests so they will be happy, comfortable and ready for a good time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Pen
  • Paper
  • Place cards
  • Table name cards
  1. Step 1

    Choose one of two types of traditional wedding seating. Assign guests to a table and let the guests choose the seat or designate exactly the seat where each guest will sit.

  2. Step 2

    Decide who will sit at the head table, either the bride and groom only or the entire bridal party. If seating the entire bridal party remember that traditionally, the groom sits on the right side of the bride. Then the best man sits to the bride's left and the maid of honor sits to the groom's right.

  3. Step 3

    Determine how to seat immediate family. The parents of the bride and groom can sit together at one table or each set of parents can host their own table and decide which family members and close friends they'd like to sit with. The latter choice is good for couples with divorced parents.

  4. Step 4

    Encourage mingling by creating seating where everyone knows at least two people at the table. Arrange these people by interests or age so they have common ground for conversation.

  5. Step 5

    Eliminate the dreaded "singles" table. Instead, integrate a single guest with the rest of your guests. For example, seat them with family or mutual friends.

  6. Step 6

    Alternate men and women when seating guests at a round table. If seating couples at a square or rectangular table, it is customary to seat couples opposite each other while still alternating men and women.

  7. Step 7

    Assign each table a number or a name. Either way, ensure that the name or number is visible to the guests and the wait staff. If seating guest-by-guest, make sure to use place cards at each seat and at the entrance of the reception so everyone knows where to sit.

Tips & Warnings
  • Children can either have their own table or they can be integrated with the rest of the guests.
  • Traditionally, the tables nearest to the bride and groom are reserved for close friends and family.

Post a Comment

Post a Comment

Have you done this? Click here to let us know.

I Did This

Related Ads

Copyright © 1999-2009 eHow, Inc. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.   en-US

Demand Media
eHow_eHow Parties and Entertaining