Reception Layout Tips
- Place the Dance Floor and Stage First. With the dimensions of the room on hand, decide where you’ll put the dance floor. ...
- Select Tables. Before you fill in the floor plan, decide what shape and size you want for your tables. ...
- Arrange the Tables. ...
- Pick the VIP Seats. ...
- Leave Room for the Bar. ...
- Remember Cocktail Hour. ...
Full Answer
How to set up a wedding reception?
Wedding Set Up & Wedding Break Down: Everything You Need To Know
- Get Some Help. The first step of planning for wedding set up, is getting some help. ...
- Make a Packing List. Next up, you 100%, absolutely, definitely need to make a pack list. ...
- Now About Wedding Set up. ...
- Your Wedding Break Down Can Be Easy. ...
How to decorate your wedding reception?
Wedding Reception Decor
- Centerpiece: Decorative tabletop arrangements that are placed in the center of your reception tables. ...
- Chair covers: Slipcovers that adorn and hide the backs of your wedding reception chairs.
- Charger: A decorative plate or plaque that is placed underneath your actual dinner plate. ...
How to personalize your wedding reception?
How To Personalize Your Wedding Reception
- Reception Stationery. To add a personal touch to your reception why not hand makes all of your menu’s place cards, table plans, and table numbers?
- Favors. A popular way of personalizing a wedding reception is through the favors. ...
- Decoration. There are many ways that you can decorate your wedding reception room. ...
How to plan your wedding reception floor plan?
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Plan a Wedding Reception
- Set the wedding date before you actually start looking for locations for the reception. ...
- Determining your reception budget. Once you set the date, you should also start thinking about your overall budget. ...
- Deciding on the key elements of your reception. ...
- Making seating arrangements. ...
- Deciding on your reception menu. ...
How do you lay out a wedding reception?
The newlyweds should always be positioned so that they are facing their guests. From here, try to arrange tables as symmetrically as possible. They can form a u-shape around a dance floor, be centered along a long wall, or fill one end of the space if the dance floor is at the far end.
What is the typical flow of a wedding reception?
The standard wedding reception is composed of a one-hour cocktail party and a four-hour reception usually centered around a meal. That said, there's still plenty of flexibility to make it your own–the couple, the cultures, the venue, and the wedding size all play a role in how the night unfolds.
Who gets introduced first at a wedding reception?
The order of entrance is: parents of the bride, parents of the groom, ushers with bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer, special guests, best man, maid/matron of honor, bride and groom. In addition, go over how to pronounce the wedding party's names with the emcee.
What comes first cake cutting or toast?
Toasts can be after all two or three courses of the meal, or after one of the courses. Toasts can be before or after the cutting of the cake, depending when you cut the cake.
What is a flowing reception?
So what is “Wedding Reception Flow”? In short, it is making sure everything that is supposed to happen does happen without awkward delay. We do not want to give your wedding guests an excuse to start looking for their keys! Communication is KEY to a successful wedding reception.
What is the order of wedding speeches?
What is the Order of Speeches at a Wedding? The traditional wedding speech order goes father of the bride, groom, best man and other toasts. "In same-sex weddings, it is also common for both partners to speak but sometimes only one does," explains Marc.
How long should a reception last?
about 4-5 hoursYour typical wedding reception runs about 4-5 hours—plenty of time for cocktails, dinner, toasts and, of course, dancing!
What is a reception?
The reception is another opportunity for great photos, so think about any groupings that you might not get to earlier in the day, with some family and friends. You can also let your photographer know if there are any particular details shots you’d like from the reception space.
Where do parents sit together?
Parents will usually sit together with close family and friends at their respective tables.
What is a sit down dinner?
For a sit-down dinner, it is typical to have printed menus at the table. You need to decide whether there will be a buffet or plated meals served at the table. There are also other alternatives, such as family-style or food stations, so discuss all these options with your caterer.
Is it good to sort out seating at a sit down dinner?
If you are having a sit-down dinner, sorting out the seating can be quite a task so it’s good to get an early start on this.
Is it cheaper to have a wedding in winter?
The time of year can significantly affect availability of venues, and generally it’s easier and sometimes less expensive to plan a winter wedding than during the peak season.
Do you want to be officially announced as you enter the reception?
Do you want to be officially announced as you enter the reception? This can be a fun way to start off the evening and you can simply be introduced by the DJ or bandleader for the first time as a married couple. Sometimes the introductions include both sets of parents and the bridal party as well, and you can have them all line up on the dance floor to watch you in your first dance, if you choose to go straight into that.
How many chairs are needed for a wedding table?
Most couples choose to use a seating chart and the number of seats per table typically range from 7-9. Most tables with 10 chairs each are tables with children. (PS- we also have a few high chairs and booster seats upon request!)
Where to place Grandma at a DJ?
When determining where to seat grandma, we encourage you to place her at a table not near the DJ speakers. Grandma may want to sit at her seat rather than get up on the dance floor, so placing her at a table close to the head table but far enough away from the speakers to enjoy the night is pivotal.
How to arrange tables for a DJ?
If you can, arrange tables in a "U" around the dance floor, with the head table opposite the dance floor from the DJ. And if you have space, a few cocktail tables by the bar will encourage guests to mingle.
How to get people to dance at a buffet?
Don't make them squeeze and pardon their way onto the dance floor! Do make a clear path directly from the entrance to the dance floor. Also think about the flow of foot traffic to the buffet, restrooms, and bar. If you put the bar right by the door, people will congregate at the entrance.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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 ).
What should be on the top table of a wedding?
The top table should contain your closest family, together with yourself and your partner. This is usually two mums and dads, the best man and chief bridesmaid. The other close family members should be placed on a table not so far away!
Why do you need a seating arrangement in a wedding?
This layout has a lot of advantages, as it allows you to make the most of your venue’s space whist also building a good atmosphere amongst your guests by seating them in a way that pretty much ensures conversation. For some venues or couples, however, it could perhaps feel a little too formal.
What is the long dining room layout?
The ‘Long’ layout involves long tables lined up in rows, with the top table at the front of the room. This is a good layout to consider if you’re having a less formal wedding breakfast within a spacious venue like a marquee.
Why do wedding tables have clear tops?
It also allows for a clear top table, so all eyes can be on you, if that’s what you have in mind. It should also make speeches easy to see/hear for your guests. This layout is not ideal, however, for smaller venues or if you’re wanting your wedding to have a more formal feel.
What to do if you don't know all the people at your wedding?
If you know that certain guests are relatively outgoing and confident, but don’t know all that many people at your wedding, then use them in the gaps on tables you haven’t filled yet.
How many people should be in a small wedding?
If, however, you’re planning a small or intimate celebration (no more than 20 people), this might be ideal as it will allow you to stay close to all of your loved ones.
Do wedding organisers have tables?
The wedding organisers at larger or more experienced wedding venues will have predetermined table layouts for the rooms they normally host wedding receptions in. This is great if you don’t want to worry about organising this part of your wedding, but you may find it prudent to get involved (for reasons we shall discuss below!).
Creating a seamless wedding reception layout will help to give your big moments impact and promote engagement between your guests
There are many big decisions that have to be made when planning a wedding. One such vital task is deciding on your wedding reception layout. It’s up there with picking your colour palette and selecting that first dance song. It’s big because it impacts every other decision you’re going to make.
Where Will the DJ and Dance Floor Be?
The main activity at your wedding reception (other than eating & drinking) will probably be dancing and so your layout should accommodate this first and foremost. Make sure your dance floor is centrally located, easily accessible and a focal point for your wedding guests.
Select Your Tables
Before you decide on who is sitting where, you need to pick what size and shape your tables are going to be. Start with yourselves and choose how you would like to be seated.
Pick a Good Spot for the Bar
The bar is always a popular place to be during a wedding reception and so this needs to be carefully considered when planning your layout. Avoid placing your bar near the entrance, near a fire exit or anywhere that has limited access, as this will cause an unwelcome bottleneck.
Food Tables
Whether you’re having a buffet or not, there will still need to be dedicated areas for food.
