Wedding Seating Etiquette: How to Arrange Your Wedding Tables in 7 Simple Steps
- Get Your RSVPs in Early. How can you figure out where everyone is going to sit if you don’t know who is coming? ...
- Think About Your Table Shapes. Once you know who will be attendance at your wedding breakfast, you need to consider your table shapes.
- Decide Who You Need Close to You. The next step is to think about who you’d like to be sat on the tables closest to yours. ...
- Organise Guests by Groups. Now it’s time to think about grouping everyone else! ...
- Consider Having a Children’s Table. If you’ve decided to invite children to your wedding, consider having a children’s table. ...
- Make a Digital Seating Plan. The next step is to create a digital seating plan using the Hitched table planning tool. ...
- Make or Buy a Clear Wedding Table Plan. When it comes to communicating your wedding seating table with both your guests and your caterers, it needs to be done ...
Full Answer
How do you set up a wedding table for guests?
1. Decide on Table Shapes. Before you start seating guests, you'll need to have a game plan for your tables. The size and shape will dictate how many guests can be seated at each table. When it comes to wedding table shapes, you have four basic options: round, rectangle, oval and square.
How to choose the right seating table for your wedding?
When it comes to communicating your wedding seating table with both your guests and your caterers, it needs to be done so clearly. Think about ordering a large, clear wedding table plan which fits your wedding theme. You should also put name cards at every seat to enable guests to find their spots quickly.
What are the best tables for a wedding reception?
According to Heather Rouffe from Atlas Event Rental, round tables are the most popular option for wedding receptions. Standard 60-inch and 72-inch round tables comfortably seat anywhere from eight to 12 guests, depending on the meal service and table décor. Round tables are widely available and allow maximum capacity in nearly every venue.
Do you need a table plan for your wedding?
Making a wedding table plan also makes things much easier for the staff at your wedding, because they know who is sitting where and eating what. Many wedding venues will actually make assigned seating mandatory. That said, deciding on seating arrangements for your wedding guests can seem like an overwhelming task. Who do you want closest to you?
How are wedding tables organized?
Seat them with their dates and a group of other mutual friends. They should be seated at the third-best tables in the room: the first is your sweetheart table, the second-best table(s) are for your parents, and the third nearest table(s) are for your wedding party.
What is the order of seating for a wedding?
As a general guideline, the person closest to the bride comes down the aisle closest in order to the bride. That means the grandparents of the groom go first, followed by the grandparents of the bride. Next up: the mother/parents of the groom, followed by the mother of the bride.
What is the order of the top table at a wedding?
The order for the top table would traditionally be (from the front, right hand side) Minister, Chief Bridesmaid, Father of the Groom, Mother of the Bride, Groom, Bride, Father of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Best Man.
How do you display a seating chart at a wedding?
Display an elegant wedding seating chart sign at cocktail hour so guests can peruse and locate their dinner table while enjoying a beverage. Be sure to display the sign so that it is at eye level. You'll also want to position it in a spot where guests can easily gather around without hindering traffic flow.
Who sits in the first row at a wedding?
parentsReserved Seating The bride's parents should be in the first row on the left, with grandparents behind them. If the bride's parents are divorced and remarried, seat one set in the front row and the other behind, with grandparents in the same pew as their child.
Who sits next to who at a wedding?
Traditionally, the newlyweds sit in the middle of the table, with the bride seated to the groom's right. Same-sex couples can feel free to seat themselves as they'd like. For a male/female pattern around the table, seat the best man next to the bride and the maid of honor next to the groom.
Do parents of bride and groom sit together at reception?
Traditionally, the bride and groom's parents sit at the same reception table, sometimes with the officiant and his or her spouse (if they attend the reception) or with your grandparents.
What is the traditional top table seating plan?
A round table with the wedding couple in the center is the traditional table setting for the top table. The maid of honour and best man sit on either side of the couple. The groom's men and bridesmaids then sit on either side of the maid of honour and best man.
Who walks down the aisle first?
1. Officiant. Your officiant is generally the first person to walk toward the altar, signifying the ceremony is about to commence.
What order do you put names on a seating chart?
Should a seating chart list names alphabetically by guests' first name or last name? For clarity and ease, it's best to arrange guests' names in alphabetical order by last name, followed by his or her assigned table number.
Who sits at the parents table at a wedding?
Our wedding etiquette expert is here with the answer. Traditionally, the parents all sit at the same reception table, along with siblings not in the wedding party, the officiant and his or her spouse (if they attend the reception) and any grandparents.
Who sits at the top table of a wedding?
The Top Table. Traditionally, the top table is the table at the head of the reception room where the newlyweds, their parents, the best man and the maid of honour sit facing the guests.
Who walks down the aisle and in what order?
The Groom: The groom proceeds to walk down the aisle accompanied by their parents, with his father on the left and his mother on the right. The Bridesmaids: The bridesmaids then proceed in pairs, starting with those standing farthest from the bride. The Maid or Matron of Honor: The bride's right-hand woman walks alone.
Which mother walks down the aisle first?
the bride's motherA. The groom's parents precede the bride's mother during the processional. Here's a rundown: After the ushers have seated all of the guests, the grandparents start up the aisle, followed by the groom's parents. Then the bride's mother takes her turn.
Who walks down the aisle first?
1. Officiant. Your officiant is generally the first person to walk toward the altar, signifying the ceremony is about to commence.
Who comes in first at a wedding?
The processional begins with bridesmaids and groomsmen walking down the aisle, typically paired up. The maid of honor and best man walk down after all other bridesmaids and groomsmen have made their way down the aisle. The ring bearer will then carry the rings to the altar, followed by the flower girl.
1. Establish a method
As we’ve said, table organization can be a highly complicated activity – depending on your amount of guests. So prepare to get creative and practical with all the necessary tools: paper, lists, cards, scissors, post-it notes, highlighters and pens to start mapping it all out. Alternatively, if you’re a computer whiz, use a program like Excel.
2. Have a confirmed guest list
It is important to have an almost definitive guest list – yes, you may have complications like guests cancelling, but try to have your list as finalized as possible. Only then can you get an idea of how to start organizing the tables, with few numbers above or below the total.
3. Organize guests by color
To begin distributing your guests to tables, the most practical idea is to divide all of them into colors, normally related to a group: elderly people, cousins, university friends… With these categories, you just have to take the post-it note of each color and place it on the same table.
4. Restructure
For last minute changes (which are often inevitable), you have two options:
5. Customise the tables according to your tastes
One of the best and most fun parts in this process is the personalisation of the tables. Some couples embark on the adventure of thematising their wedding, or, at least, the tables, according to their tastes, passions and hobbies.
How are banquet tables created?
Banquet style tables are created by positioning rectangular tables together end to end , to create one or a handful of long tables for guests, the happy couple, and the bridal party to be seated all together, whether the wedding is large or small.
What is rectangular table?
Perfect for an outdoor reception (with or without a tent) a rectangular table creates a sort of symmetry throughout the space. On the downside, from a catering perspective, you could potentially run into a few hang-ups when it comes to rectangular tables.
What is a sweetheart table?
Sweetheart tables have long been implemented in a reception design, whether a small round, square, or even rectangular table. Creating a point of separation for the bride and groom, the sweetheart table might prove to be a welcome respite amongst the hustle and bustle of the day.
What is a square table?
With more surface area to cover, a square table will easily accommodate a larger centerpiece design (floral or otherwise) and still create a sense of togetherness for guests. Square tables are similar to rounds in that they’ll work in almost any reception space.
How many people can sit at a round table?
As a general rule, standard dimensions make round tables available in 36”, 48”, 60”, and 72”, with enough space to be able to seat 2-4 people, 4-6 people, 8 people, and 10 people per table, respectively. “When it comes to social distancing, every state and county is different on rules, but typically with a 60” round, we are seeing four guests at a table that size to offer substantial space for guests,” says Kelly.
What is the biggest decision in a wedding reception?
The biggest decision (after settling on the location, of course) is perhaps how exactly the room is going to come together. Design elements aside, the question of “Who’s going to sit where?” is preceded by “How many tables can we fit in this space?” and “How many people will this table actually seat?”
Can you mix and match linens?
Whether you mix and match linens based on table shapes, have fun with the layout! A combination of shapes and sizes will potentially create a more inviting atmosphere for guests to mix and mingle amongst other tables themselves.
What to put on a wedding table?
Outdoor wedding table settings. To add that outdoor element to your table setting, you could add nautical elements like driftwood, glasses, and linen, especially for a seaside ceremony. This will add some texture and personality to your décor for a great table setting for wedding receptions.
How to prepare for a buffet wedding?
For a buffet wedding, you would have to prepare much in advance. The recipes, the location of the buffet table at the venue, everything. Each detail would have to be well thought out so that dinner can go on without a hitch. This also involves the table setting, so decisions like placing side dishes after entrees would have to be made.
What are some good wedding centerpieces?
For wedding centerpieces, you could have peonies, roses, privets or scabiosa.
What to do with brass bracelets?
For something unique, you will have to think outside the box. Go to a flea market and see what calls you. Brass bracelets could be napkin rings, you could get lovely colored candles, agates, and scarves as table runners. Things like this would definitely stand out and could create romantic wedding table settings.
What can add panache to a wedding?
One thing that can add a touch of panache to your wedding is your wedding table settings. You can make your style stand out with how you choose to set your tables.
What to put on a table without plates?
For a truly unique and bohemian feel, you could set your table without plates. Decorate wooden farm tables with pomegranates, roses and olive branches. Don’t forget your napkins, you could place guests favors atop each one for that true rustic vibe.
What is a basic table setting?
A basic table setting is a typical classical setting . The order is (left to right): fork, plate, knives, spoons. For basic and inexpensive table setting you can use a fresh flower as a decor. Your guests will totally love this!
How to have a head table at a wedding?
Opting for a sweetheart table? Have your wedding party host tables, instead. Seat them with their dates and a group of other mutual friends. They should be seated at the third-best tables in the room: the first is your sweetheart table, the second-best table (s) are for your parents, and the third nearest table (s) are for your wedding party. (Near the dance floor, natch!)
How to make a seating chart for a wedding?
For couples who would prefer to make a wedding seating chart that's tactile, you can use one or more poster boards to create a physical layout you can play around with until you've found the right mix. After you decide on what type of tables you want and where they'll be located, based on the dimensions of your venue, sketch them on the poster board. To save a lot of do-overs, keep things neat by writing each guest's name on a Post-It and then simply stick (and unstick) guests in different seating arrangements. Another option: a large whiteboard and dry erase markers.
What is the best way to make a wedding reception flow smoothly?
The bottom line: Having some sort of wedding seating plan, even if it's just table assignments, will make your reception flow that much more smoothly.
What is the difference between round and rectangular tables?
Different table shapes have their own benefits: Rectangular tables can fit a greater seated capacity into a space and it's easier for guests to talk across them. Round tables, on the other hand, are the most traditional option and afford your guests more leg room.
What is the goal of wedding table cards?
When it comes to actually telling your guests where to sit, the goal for wedding table cards or place cards is to find that sweet spot between creativity and ease of use. Tented or envelope cards are the most traditional and can be arranged in a variety of ways depending on the type of tables you’re working with.
How to group people at a dinner party?
Once you've finalized who's coming, step one is to start grouping guests according to how you know them, such as family members, high school friends, college friends, work friends, etc. This doesn't mean you have to sit them according to group, but a picture will start to form of who already knows each other and gets along. In addition to grouping your guests by how you know them, you can also consider your guests' age, interests, and backgrounds. Try to make everyone feel comfortable by offering a mix of familiar and new faces at each table. And, of course, be tactful: Absolutely avoid seating people together who have a history they wish they could forget.
Where should VIPs sit at a wedding?
It's easy to get caught up in who's sitting where, but just don't forget to give your VIPs the best seats in the house so they have a clear view of all the action and can jump into the celebration. Also, older guests may want to be a little farther from the band (and not near a speaker). Guests in wheelchairs or those who need more mobility should be seated at tables that are either closer to one of the edges of the room or closer to the dance floor, so they’ll have plenty of space to maneuver as needed.
Why do weddings have tables?
Making a wedding table plan also makes things much easier for the staff at your wedding, because they know who is sitting where and eating what. Many wedding venues will actually make assigned seating mandatory.
When sending wedding invitations, what to do?
When you send your wedding invitations, set a generous RSVP date. Then, politely ask the mother of the bride or groom to chase any guests who don’t respond in time.
What are the advantages of different table shapes?
For example, you can fit more people into your wedding venue if you choose rectangular tables, but circular tables make it easier for your guests to chat to each other.
What to do if you don't have a top table?
If you’re not having a top table, consider asking each member of your wedding party to host a table. Assign them (and their partner) to a table full of mutual friends so that no one feels uncomfortable.
What to do if there are only a couple of children at a wedding?
That said, if there are only a couple of children at the wedding, seat them with their parents… and don’t put the children’s table too far away. Kids get anxious when they can’t see their parents, and harrowing screams don’t add anything to a romantic wedding breakfast ambience.
What to do if you invite kids to your wedding?
Image: Paschoe House. If you’ve decided to invite children to your wedding, consider having a children’s table. This is a great way to keep them occupied with colouring books and activities while also allowing their parents to chat and enjoy their time.
Do you have to keep your wedding venue in mind?
Seat them a little closer to the dance floor.
How many people can sit at a round table?
Standard 60-inch and 72-inch round tables comfortably seat anywhere from eight to 12 guests , depending on the meal service and table décor. Round tables are widely available and allow maximum capacity in nearly every venue. What's more, couples will find countess linen options on the market. In terms of centerpieces, Rouffe recommends sticking with shorter floral arrangements; otherwise, blocked site lines will discourage conversation across the table.
What is a king's table?
"The king's table is usually an eight-foot by four-foot table used as a head table for family-style appeal ," says Rouffe. "They are a little more modern than the traditional round reception table." King's tables are often surrounded by smaller round or rectangular tables, and their expansive size allows for elaborate centerpieces. However, Rouffe says that this shape isn't very intimate. "This can be considered a con since guests won't be able to chat with everyone seated at their table as easily as with a round table option," she says.
What is a sweetheart table?
Having a sweetheart table—a small table for just the newlyweds—can be the perfect solution. The sweetheart table faces out to the reception, and it's near the couple's closest friends and parents. Keep in mind, however, that brides and grooms at sweetheart tables may feel disconnected from guests, who may come up to chat anyway.
How many people can sit on a wooden farmhouse table?
These wooden tables, which are usually around eight-feet by 42-inches, seat a maximum of ten people comfortably.
Can you rent a serpentine table for a wedding reception?
If you want to make a bold design statement, then rent serpentine tables for your wedding reception. Several curved tables are pushed together to create a long, winding, and whimsical piece of furniture, and they're especially impactful if they're large enough to seat all of the guests together. Due to their space requirements, serpentine tables work best at outdoor weddings with much space to spare.
Can you have a single table at a wedding?
Nobody says you need to have a single table style at your wedding! Mixing tables of different shapes and sizes results in a beautiful and unique reception set-up. You can even create custom seating—whether it's a U-shaped or cross-shaped table. Don't be afraid to get creative, and make sure to order the correct linens for your desired set-up!
Can you mix serpentine tables?
Serpentine tables may be the option for you. You could also mix multiple types of table to create a look that best suits your space. After you've learned about the options available, you'll need to think about which table type makes the most sense for your wedding's style and your guests.
1. Scattered round tables
Centred around a dance floor, round tables work well to create a social event atmosphere. They encourage guests to chat with those around them and entice people to get up and use the dance floor.
2. Two long tables
This seating arrangement very simple, easy to achieve and works well to fit a large number of people in a small space (which means you don’t have to spend a lot of time deciding who should and shouldn’t sit next to each other!). Long tables are visually striking and much easier to style than scattered tables.
3. One long, curvy table
This style of seating has seen a recent rise in popularity (probably thanks to Pinterest!). While it isn’t very practical, it has major WOW-factor. It’s great for styling, but realistically, for most weddings it could only be considered for outdoor venues given the length of the table. Photography by Louisa Bailey
4. Multiple rows of tables
Again, this is a little more social because it means guests will be sitting closer together, though their conversation will be limited to those directly surrounding them. It’s also very easy to organise and looks super chic, don’t you think? Photography by Lisa Poggi
5. Japanese style
Rid yourself of chairs and opting for floor seating is perfect for ultra-relaxed events. With a mass amount of cushions, floor seating around low tables is both warm and inviting. Just ensure everyone will be comfortable sitting on the ground! If your Grandparents or Great Aunties and Uncles are coming, this might not be the wisest seating choice.
7. Scattered Rectangle Tables
This arrangement works well if the shape of your venue is a little tricky to work with. Similar to circular tables, you will have a little bit of work cut out for you in deciding who to seat where, but it can create a buzzing social atmosphere and foster conversation between guests seated closely.
8. One long, straight table
Oh-so elegant, this table arrangement is perhaps this chicest and most formal of them all. Practically, this will only work if your venue has the space to allow for it, or if you’re hosting your occasion outdoors. Visually, having one epic table packs a whole lot of punch!
What is a U shaped wedding table?
Go bold with an out-of-the-ordinary layout like this u-shaped arrangement. You and your wedding party will have a view of everyone from the head table, and the long rows of chairs create a communal feel among your guests. This statement-making layout is ideal for weddings on the smaller side (less than 100 guests).
How many people can sit at a long banquet table?
We love this idea if you have a lot of guests to squeeze into one space. The long banquet tables are trendy and functional, seating around 18 people each (compared to smaller round or square tables, which average eight people each). Since wedding chairs can sometimes take up a lot of floor space, try adding long benches to one side of each table to cut down on bulky furniture — and add an unexpectedly cool look to your decor.
Can you have round or rectangular tables?
Can't choose between round or rectangular tables? You can have both! A long head table at the center of the room puts all eyes on you and ensures that no guest has a bad view of what's going on. This is a flexible wedding seating chart idea for almost any venue, whether you're getting married in a barn, ballroom, or country club.
Do all wedding tables have to be symmetrical?
On the other hand, not all table layouts have to be symmetrical! This option features a large head table at the front of the room surrounded by smaller round guest tables. The long rectangular table would be perfect if you have a large wedding party (and if they're each bringing a plus-one ).
