Effortless Seating Plan Strategy

The Wedding Reception Seating Chart

WHO NEEDS ONE?
Anyone who's having a seated reception meal. As tempting as it may be to let guests sit wherever they like, if you're serving a full meal(buffets count, too), you need a seating plan. Not only do assigned places make your loved ones feel cared for, but they prevent guests from adding chairs to tables or taking them away (a caterer's nightmare). And they guarantee that everyone has someone to talk to.

SPECIALTY SEATING
1. Who seats at the head table? The newlyweds sit at the center of this table, which is in the most prominent spot in the room. Other tablemates: the best man (on the bride's right), the maid of honor (on the groom's left), the rest of the bridal party, and sometimes the couple's parents.

2. What's a sweetheart table? If you don't have a head table, some brides and grooms prefer to sit by themselves at a table for two. (But isn't that what the honeymoon is for?)

3. Where do the bride's and groom's parents sit? Seat them all with you or let them host their own tables; divorced parents should host separate tables.

4. What about the officiant? Seat him or her at the head table, along with his or her spouse, or with your parents if they're hosting their own table.

SMART MOVES
DO put people together who have things in common (for example: college pals, workmates, ski buffs).
DON'T seat all the single guests together or they'll spend the night feeling as though they have the word "loser" stamped on their foreheads. Seat them with people they know.
DO have a kids' table if more than a handful of children will attend. (They'll have more fun and so will their parents.)
DON'T put elderly guests too close to the band, speakers, kitchen, or any location that's too loud or busy.
DO put the escort cards (which tell guests their table assignments) in rows in alphabetical order near the entrance to the reception. Guests will take thes as they come in.