How to Make Your Own Seating Charts

Arranging seating for your guests can help to make the day even more memorable.

In order to make sure your wedding reception is as enjoyable and comfortable for your guests as possible, you may want to consider implementing a seating chart. Creating your own chart will allow you to add a personal touch to the reception while giving you the freedom to make the best seating choices for guests.

Things You'll Need

• Reception hall floor plan
• Completed guest list

Instructions

1. First, create a space in the seating chart for the formal bridal table. This table can be situated in the center of the reception hall, or near the front of the room. Seat the bride and groom in the center of the bridal table, with the maid of honor on bride's right and the best man to the right of the groom. You can choose to have the remainder of the bridesmaids sitting next to the maid of honor, and the groomsmen sitting next to the best man. Or, allow bridal party members sit with their spouses or dates.

2. Now make the seating sections for the parents of the bride and groom, as well as other family members. You may want to position the wedding couple's parents directly in front of the formal bridal table. With a square or rectangular table, the father of the bride can be seated at one head of the table and the groom's father at the other. Or sit the bride's parents on the right side, the groom's parents on the left, and grandparents at the edges. Divorced parents can host their own tables on either side of the main bridal table. If your parents choose this option, create this portion of the seating chart with the names of the guests labeled in the correct spaces before giving the chart to the wedding coordinator.

3. Organize a space for children's seating. All children in the wedding party, and any others attending the wedding, should sit away from the cake and buffet tables. (Small children have a tendency to pull at the tables and reach for food.) Arrange smaller tables for children next to their parents' tables if there is enough room or create a children's space along the wall of the formal bridal table if only a few young guests are invited. Make children feel more welcome at the ceremony by fashioning place cards for them. This helps you stay organized and reduce seating confusion.

References

• Essortment: How to Make a Seating Chart for your Wedding Reception
• Perfect Table Plan: Seating Plan Hints and Etiquette