Request a layout of the tables (including the number of seats per table) from your reception venue and create identical tables using the Wedding Seating Planner.  It’s child’s play to then assign guests from your guest list to available table seats. Sometimes, due to the size of the tables or the set-up of the room, waiting staff are required to squeeze between adjoining tables to serve meals.  It is very annoying for guests to have to move their seats each time someone passes behind them. Carefully reposition the tables with your reception venue so that there is adequate space for waiters to pass through and be considerate of disabled guests.

Wedding Party

Traditionally, the wedding party, are seated at the head table, consisting of the bride and groom, the bride and groom's natural parents, the best man and maid of honour. Other family such as step-parents, are not part of the traditional bridal party but are treated as honoured guests. As honoured guests, they should be given importance by being seated on a table close to the head table. An honoured guests' table also solves the problem of where to sit bridesmaids and ushers. Since these helpers are also honoured guests, they join step-parents, and partners of separated parents, on this special table, however young bridesmaids and page boys sit with their parents.

Traditional Bridal Party Head Table Seating

Maid Of Honour

Groom's Father

Bride's Mother

Groom

Bride

Bride's Father

Groom's Mother

Best    Man

Head Table

If your or your partner’s parents are divorced and are uncomfortable about sitting next to each other, consider getting each set of parents to host their own table of close family and friends. Parent seating should be flexible, and if you are unsure, talk to the parents about it before you make your final decision.

Wedding Guests

Seat close family and friends nearest to the head table with other relatives and friends further away. If your venue has round tables seat your guests with partners side by side. With long rectangular tables,  partners are usually seated opposite each other. It is customary to alternate male and female guests.

Seat your wedding guests with people that they know so that they will  feel more comfortable and to facilitate good conversation. Guests may feel uncomfortable if they are seated with people they do not know, so it is particularly important to bear this in mind if you are trying is to fill up tables with unconnected guests. Try to seat guests of similar age groups with wedding guests with similar interests such as aunts and uncles, friends, work colleagues, sporting club mates etc.

Children

Children should always be seated with their parents, however if you are planning on having several children attending the reception, consider allocating a separate table for them.   On the children’s table include some special items for the children, such as colouring or puzzle books to keep them occupied.   Seat some parents or older siblings nearby to keep a close eye on them, or consider hiring a babysitter to supervise, so parents to socialise a little freer.

Music

Seat your youngest guests closest to the music and your oldest guests as far from it as possible.

Choose a wide selection of music to be played during the reception to suit a wide range of tastes and schedule music pauses or select quieter cocktail compositions during the main course, so your guests can socialise without speaking over the loud music to keep up with the conversation. 

Table Place Cards

Table place cards are a must to ensure that your wedding guests sit at the correct seat and receive the correct meals. Your wedding guests will be celebrating with you, mingling and dancing.  Table place cards assist waiting staff to determine where to place vegetarian meals when guests are away from their tables..