Wedding Seating Chart

Today I wanted to share how we decided on our seating for the wedding reception. Many tables were easy. Most family, college friends, and coworkers easily fit at their tables making about half of the room set by themselves. The tricky part is those few couples and families that didn't fit with other groups. It isn't fun being a part of the 'extras table' with random people you have nothing in common with so I tried to be as strategic and as nice as I could.

One couple only knew us and we only knew them at their wedding. We sat with a wonderful group when they got married so I tried to return the favour. Then we had to decide who to seat with Husbands dad's family. There were only 4 of them so they definitely needed some other guests at their table. That one was tricky - I hope the family we placed there was okay with it! One couple could have fit in a few places but kept getting moved around due to people changing their RSVP. (Which happened up to 3 days before the wedding!)

I know life happens but when you RSVP to a wedding, try to give a solid answer or let the couple know that there could be a change so they can accommodate you in their plan and numbers.

How exactly did we handle all these changes and tricky seating arrangements? Like this!

I had mini paper plates left from a craft project I did with my kids last summer and used little post-its. This was an idea I received from another bride-friend of mine a few years ago and am so glad I remembered it! As each RSVP arrived, I wrote each guests name on a post-it, had our table arrangement chart from our site, then my MOH and I got to work! As I said, some tables made themselves but it was so nice to be able to move the post-its around in case of changes.

My venue was incredible and let me have 7-10 seats per table but I know some require the same number for each. This would be especially nice for those that have that restriction. I loved being able to see how the whole room would look, too. I was even able to plan having the younger crowd closest to the DJ and the older crowed (that may have wanted to sit and talk more than dance) further away. 

It's easy to not care about where you seat guests and it's also easy to care too much. I feel like I cared just the right amount and felt that everyone was comfortable at their tables. At least, I haven't heard otherwise!

"Savor all of life's flavours, best enjoyed while still warm. They're the icing on the cupcake." - Barbara Paulding