How to Create a Wedding Seating Chart

Creating a seating chart for your reception ensures that people are seated where you need them.

Seating charts can help your wedding reception run smoother and let each guest know her presence at your wedding is important to you. Guests are typically seated faster when they are assigned to a specific seat or table. Planning a seating chart also ensures people are seated where you need them or where you know it will be convenient.

Things You'll Need

• Grid paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Small sticky notes

Instructions

1. Draw the floor plan of your reception venue with tables using a ruler and pencil. Your floor plan should resemble the actual space with the same shape and relative size of the tables you are using. Make multiple copies.

2. Write each guest's name on a small sticky note. Use different colors for different groups of people if it will help you stay organized. For example, children's names can go on green notes, your mother's friends on yellow, your partner's mother's friends on orange, friends on blue and family on pink.

3. Place the sticky notes on your seating chart. Using sticky notes allows you to make changes to the chart without having to start all over.

4. Start with the head table or sweetheart table, which is where the bride and groom sit. Head tables typically include the bridal party, often with their partners and the couple's parents. A sweetheart table is reserved for the bride and groom.

5. Fill in the rest of the tables. Place your bridal party, parents, grandparents and other important guests first. Try to place everyone at a table with at least one other person they already know, but feel free to mix it up so your guests can get to know new people as well. Avoid seating feuding people together, such as divorced and remarried parents.

6. Create a list to detail where everyone will sit. This can be arranged by alphabetical order or by table number.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan for unexpected surprises, such as an extra guest or a no-show.

• Use software or a computer-generated seating chart if it's easier than drawing one out.

• Cross-reference your guest list with a checklist of confirmed attendees and your seating chart. Double- and triple-check your lists so you don't overlook anyone.

• Avoid seating children next to the food or the DJ, as this can cause unnecessary distractions.

References

• The Knot: Guests: Reception Seating Nightmares Solved
• Wedding Channel: Reception Seating Etiquette Musts
• Perfect Wedding Guide: How to Create a Wedding Reception Seating Chart