The seating arrangement at the wedding reception can be a logistical nightmare to organize. The main objective would be for the guests to feel comfortable and relaxed at your wedding. The overall morale of the guests can set the mood and tone of your event. There are few things you can do to ensure that your guests have a great time at your wedding.

Consulting your wedding reception venue should be the first step in the arranging of the guest seating plan. You need to be clear of the table layout and floor plan of the reception venue. Before consulting with the venue it is important to have an idea about the number of guests you expect to attend the wedding.
After receiving your RSVP's and confirming the total numbers attending your wedding you can commence creating your formal seating plan. Formal seating plans can eliminate confusion and assist in prioritising your guests with the closest friends and relatives on the table nearest the bride and groom. It is after all a popularity contest and those closest to the bride and groom are most important! Traditionally the bride and groom will arrange seating around the bridal table. Family is generally seated closest to the bridal table followed by the closest friends.

It is paramount to arrange your seating plan so that each person knows at least 2 or 3 people on their table. There is nothing worse than a table full of strangers. Conversation is often strained and awkward and guests overall comfort may be reduced. Surely you want the guests at your wedding to have a good time as the guests will make or break the event.

The bride and groom usually sit at the front of the wedding reception on an elevated table so that they can be seen during the toasts and speeches by all the guests. A rectangular table is the most suitable for the bridal party whilst the best table shapes for the guests to mingle is a round table.

Children at your reception are best seated on their own table to ensure that they have a good time and their parents also have some space. It is common to seat the children on a table slightly away from their parents.

Reception venues request that your print a seating plan to be displayed at the entrance of the venue. This can be done a number of ways. One option is having the guests listed under the table they are to be seated on. Alternatively, guest could be listed alphabetically followed by their table number. This option is generally more efficient and time effective so that guests do not have to go through every table to find their seat. Having name cards on the table will further avoid confusion and ensure that couples can be seated next to one another.

Your wedding day should be a celebration and all about you. So allow for acceptable distances between feuding relatives at the reception. The last thing you want to happen is a fight to ensue. Remember that happy guests make for a great reception and memorable party. By following this advice will make for a perfect wedding reception for you and your guests.

Enjoy your day!

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