creative table assignments at weddings

60 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas to Inspire an Epic Seating Plan

• Hannah writes and edits articles for The Knot Worldwide, with a focus on real wedding coverage.
• Hannah has a passion for DE&I and plays an integral role in ensuring The Knot content highlights all voices and all love stories.
• Prior to The Knot Worldwide, Hannah was the Social Media Editor at Martha Stewart Weddings.

Wedding seating charts are an incredibly important part of a wedding reception. Seating charts act as crowd control, disseminating key information to guests about where their reception home base will be all evening, so you don't have to worry about everyone knowing where to go. You want all attendees to enjoy themselves and be as in the know as possible as they move throughout your wedding celebration, and wedding seating charts are an integral component in that undertaking. And, as an added bonus, a well-designed seating chart can also be an important piece of wedding décor, making a special statement that complements your color palette and theme.

We gathered all the out-of-the-box seating chart inspiration images you'll need to dream up your own creative wedding seating chart. Plus, we tapped some wedding industry experts to answer your most pressing seating arrangement questions.

In this article:

Colorful Seating Chart Ideas

Floral and greenery seating charts, classic and refined seating chart ideas, boho seating charts, industrial and eclectic seating chart ideas, rustic wood seating charts, elegant linen seating chart ideas, glamorous mirror seating charts, dramatic black and blue seating chart ideas, modern glass and acrylic seating charts, wedding seating chart faqs, 1. tropical teal seating chart.

Tropical leaves added even more greenery to this teal display at a beach wedding in Hawaii .

2. Seating Chart with Modern Shapes

For this Palm Springs wedding , wedding guest seating assignments were written on colorful shapes suspended from a copper frame.

3. Suspended Pink Acrylic Signs

The wedding table seating chart at this wedding was a pink acrylic display hung amongst plants.

4. Minimalist Painted Seating Chart

Pink and red abstract shapes were painted on the back of this translucent table plan.

5. Orange Ombre

An ombre of orange signs served as the wedding table seating chart for this celebration.

6. Pink Wood Wedding Sign

To customize this pink display, illustrations served as table names, instead of traditional wedding table numbers.

7. Boho Pink Seating Chart

At this laid-back fete, an acrylic seating chart hung amongst boho pink decorations and garlands.

8. Prismatic Meets Geometric

Colorful acrylic shapes were strung together for this kaleidescope-inspired seating chart.

9. Greenery Arch

This wedding seating plan was framed by a trio of greenery arches.

10. Wall of Ivy

A wall of ivy ensconced this DIY seating chart written on brown kraft-style paper.

11. Freestanding Seating Chart

Instead of using a traditional easel, freestanding metal frames held these calligraphy-adorned seating charts.

12. Seating Chart with Moss and Hydrangea

A moss wall anchored this trio of seating arrangement signs while hydrangea, eucalyptus and roses rounded out the display.

13. Tropical Round Seating Chart

A round frame and small seating chart cards ensured this wedding venue's tropical greenery was on display.

14. Sprawling Greenery

Greenery encased most of this dramatic white seating chart creating a secret-garden-inspired feel.

15. Simple Blue Table Plan

Ask your wedding planner to display your seating chart prominently at the entrance to your wedding reception to ensure all guests have a chance to stop by.

16. Oversize Black-and-White Board

Don't leave a large seating chart display, like this one, to the last minute. Proper planning is needed to pull off a dramatic seating chart.

17. Simple Yellow Seating Chart

An easel, placed at the entry to the wedding reception, held this couple's simple yellow seating chart.

18. Elegant Wood Sign with Calligraphy

This painted wood board with wedding guest table assignments was finished off with the couple's names written in calligraphy.

19. All-White Seating Chart

White stationery layered atop a white board brought a refined feel to this seating chart, which was finished off with loose greenery.

20. Three Signs

Your table plan doesn't have to only use one board or sign. This seating chart made use of three complementary signs.

21. Boho Beaded Seating Chart

Boho beads adorned this seating chart, which also featured subtle watercolor-inspired brush stroke details.

22. Glass Jar Seating Plan

Instead of a flat, traditional seating chart, this couple has guests' names written on glass jars.

23. Grouping of Seating Charts

A grouping of five seating charts, featuring a Moroccan-inspired pattern border, ushered guests to their seats at this wedding reception.

24. Clay Jars

This is not the type of display you should try to DIY. Tap your wedding planner and calligrapher to help pull off a vignette inspired by this boho creation.

25. Laser-Cut Wood

Instead of painting guests' names onto wood, this couple had seating assingments laser engraved into their boho wood signage.

26. Industrial Copper-Inspired Sign

Although this wedding table seating chart was made of wood, the seating chart's copper-inspired look felt right at home at this industrial wedding.

27. Moody Table Assignments

Three signs propped against a brick wall helped lead VIPS, family members and wedding guests to their seats at this wedding reception .

28. Floorplan

This seating chart doubled as a floorplan, letting wedding guests know exactly where under the tent their tables were located.

29. Rustic Meets Tropical

These rustic wood signs got a tropical upgrade with the help of vibrant fresh flowers.

30. Gray Wood Seating Chart

Guests' names and the couple's calligraphy monogram were displayed on a gray-washed wood sign at this outdoor California wedding .

31. Rustic Pennants

12 pennant-shaped signs, with watercolor calligraphy, directed wedding guests, VIPs and family members to their table assignments at this wedding reception .

32. Wood Hutch Seating Chart Display

A wood hutch served as a shelf to hold a grouping of seating charts at this wedding .

33. Wood Crates with Glass Growlers

Wood crates, sunflowers and hand-lettered glass growlers worked together to create a rustic seating chart display at this couple's wedding.

34. Charcuterie-Inspired Seating Chart

Charcuterie lovers, pay homage to your favorite snacks with a cheese board and wine seating chart vignette.

35. Wood Panels

A grouping of five wood panels, bearing guests' names and table assingments, sat atop a farm table at one couple's rustic celebration.

36. Linen Sign Duo

As you're deciding how to make a wedding seating chart, it's a great idea to look to your wedding invitations for inspiration . If you're using a unique material, such as cloth, in your wedding invitations then bring that same material into your wedding seating chart design.

37. Illustrated Linen Seating Chart

The illustrations seen on this linen sign mirrored the motifs first introduced in this couple's wedding invitations for their Tulum, Mexico, wedding .

38. Simple Linen Seating Chart

A single alphabetical list of names conveyed seating arrangements at this woodsy wedding reception.

39. Linen and Calligraphy

A calligraphy directive to "Find Your Seat" ushered wedding guests to this customized linen sign.

40. Mirrors on the Beach

Two silver mirrors with calligraphy bore guests' names and table assignments at one couple's beachside wedding day.

41. Ornate Mirrors with Calligraphy

Three gold-framed mirrors were used as part of this couple's wedding seating plan.

42. Over-the-Top Mirror

A huge gilded mirror reinforced this wedding's glamorous aesthetic.

43. Outdoor Mirror Seating Chart

Instead of using an easel, this mirror seating chart was propped up against a tree.

44. Glam Black and Gold

An arched design made this metallic black-and-gold seating chart even more luxurious.

45. Chalkboard Seating Chart

For DIY-minded couples, consider using a chalkboard for a casual, but impactful, seating chart.

46. Neon Sign

A modern custom neon sign made this black-and-white seating chart even edgier.

47. Modern Black Signs

Black signs were mounted to a mesh metal display for this cool seating chart.

48. Watercolor Backdrop

Three blue seating chart signs were layered atop two watercolor-inspired signs for a dramatic decor moment at this Michigan wedding .

49. Gold Frames

Miniature gold frames bore wedding guest seating assignments at this wedding.

50. Rustic Acrylic

While acrylic is typically used with modern, minimalist design, two acrylic seating charts looked perfectly at home at this rustic, woodsy wedding .

51. Rooftop Wedding Reception

At this rooftop wedding celebration, an acrylic seating chart made sure the signage didn't detract from the epic city views.

52. Romantic Calligraphy

Calligraphy reinforced the elegant garden vibe of this hanging acrylic seating chart.

53. Monogram and Greenery

Eucalyptus, peonies and a traditional monogram brought a classic feel to this wedding table seating chart.

54. 3D Seating Chart

While seating charts are often less interactive than escort card displays , that certainly doesn't have to be the case, as evidenced here.

55. Modern and Minimal

Seating charts don't have to be huge displays, this small tabletop sign was petite, yet stunning.

56. Fresh Flowers

Large blooms finished off this calligraphy-centric acrylic seating chart.

57. Tropical Seating Chart

Acrylic seating charts don't need to be square, these acrylic leaves reinforced the Florida wedding's tropical aesthetic.

58. Layered Signage

Acrylic layered atop a greenery wall, and accented with lights, brought a modern vibe to this garden-inspired display.

59. Simple Hand-Lettering

Calligraphy and hand-lettering are a fun way to add a bit of personality to a simple seating chart.

60. Clean and Crisp Acrylic Signage

This refined acrylic seating chart is a great reminder that pared-down, elegant designs are absolutely timeless.

What's the difference between an escort card, place card and seating chart?

An escort card is an object , meant to be taken by wedding guests, displaying attendee names and table assignments. A seating chart similarly disseminates table assignments, but via a stationary display for guests to look at, but not interact with. If used, place cards tell wedding guests which specific seat at their table belongs to them.

"A seating chart is a (much more beautiful) version of a mall directory that guests can reference to find out where they're sitting during the reception. They're often displayed in a central location that all guests will pass by at some point, and often categorized by table number or by guests' last names," says Ashley Lachney of Alston Mayger Events . Along the same line, Dena Cohen of The Planning Society explains that, "both seating charts and escort cards direct guests to a specific table. A seating chart lists your guests' names in alphabetical order with the table number next to the name or grouped together according to table number, for all guests to see. It can create an unexpected and fun entrance into the event space. Seating charts can be personalized , monogrammed and calligraphed on a variety of formats—acrylic boards, mirrors, wood, fabric, glass, chalkboards, specialty paper, etc. Escort cards are typically the more formal of the two seating methods at a wedding or event and can be customized to the couple's special story, theme, colors or season. Creativity and unique ideas are endless. Escort cards can be organized alphabetically on a table, arranged against a backdrop or hung from greenery, florals, twine or even a chandelier. Each escort card will have the guest's name or couple's name and table number included and will allow for guests to take the card with them and can also serve as a favor. Some escort cards can also include the guests' meal option." She goes on to note that if you want to go a step further in formality, "you can place a personalized table card (or place card) at each place setting, so your guests know exactly where they are sitting at the table."

When should you make a wedding seating chart?

While a seating chart can't be finalized until all your RSVPs are in , you should certainly begin the preliminary planning process early. Brooke Avishay of Orange Blossom Special Events advises couples to start early. "Generally, you should be able to create a rough plan for seating while you're waiting for your RSVPs to come in. Getting a head start on this will save a lot of grief as you approach the big day. If you do about 80 percent of the work while you're waiting for responses, all you'll need to do is make some small adjustments once you've received all RSVP cards ."

How do you make a seating chart for a wedding?

Thankfully, there are plenty of online wedding planning tools out there (and wedding seating chart templates) to help with the actual task of assigning seats. From AllSeated.com to WeddingWire's seating chart tool , these online resources give you the ability to look at a diagram of your reception and drag and drop to assign tables. Before even getting to that stage, it's a great idea to add notations to your RSVP spreadsheet to help categorize attendees. Whether you add a column to signal how you know a given person or color code based on whether they're family, a college friend or a work colleague, starting to group guests early on will make it easier to assign seats. Of course, if you're more of a tactile person, the paper plate method is a trusted option. Lay out a collection of paper plates on your table and use flag sticky notes to decide who sits where. To save space, you could even get your reception floor plan enlarged and printed on a poster board before using sticky notes to play around with potential table assignments.

Should a seating chart be organized alphabetically or by table?

This is a hotly debated question and even industry professionals are split as to which style of seating plan is best. Generally speaking, arranging your guest list alphabetically is the more efficient method, but for a very small guest list, couples can consider making an exception to organize by table number.

Janice Carnevale of Bellwether Events advises couples to "always always always organize a seating chart alphabetically by the last name. If it is organized by table, as I have seen in photos, it takes guests a longer time to find their name and table assignment, and staring at a poster is no way to spend a cocktail hour. Listing guests by table causes a bottleneck, and generally, it is not a pleasant guest experience." Shannon Ducker of Shannon Rose Events agrees that when it comes to large guest counts, alphabetical is the only logical organization method. "For guest counts of 100 guests or fewer, it's perfectly acceptable to organize a seating chart by table if the design lends itself better to that method. For any events larger than 100 guests, you should always organize alphabetically so that guests can find their seating assignment more easily." Ducker goes on to suggest that seating charts list parties and not individual guests as this "allows for couples and families to find their table faster since they are only having to look once for their table."

8 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas for Your Reception Layout

Ready to dole out your table assignments? Not so fast! Use these wedding seating chart ideas to nail down a layout first.

VOWS Wedding & Event Planning

By now, you've probably heard that creating your seating chart is one of the not-so-great parts of wedding planning , to put it nicely (wars have been waged with less strategy). But before you can even think about who sits where, you'll need to decide on a layout for your tables — and there's more to it than you might think. These wedding seating chart ideas will show you a few different ways you can arrange your tables (including some unexpected options) and ultimately help you decide which one works best for your venue and style. Once you've picked a layout, use WeddingWire's seating chart tool to create an interactive, customizable floor plan and start adding your guests' names to tables, no sticky notes or erasers required.  

Check out these wedding seating chart ideas to use on the big day. 

Bartleby & Sage

End-to-End Banquet Tables

For a venue that is long and narrow, you can align rectangular banquet tables in an end-to-end layout around the perimeter of the room. This setup maximizes space, which makes it one of the best wedding seating chart ideas if you have a larger guest list . Smaller rectangular tables for your wedding party or family members can be placed in the center of the room. Formal venues, like museums , historic sites, and ballrooms are a great fit for this elegant, classic layout. 

CULTIVATE Designory

U-Shaped Layout

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). 

Logan Clement

Tables on an Angle

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. 

Royal Bee Floral Design and Event Styling

Uniform Rectangular Tables

Using rectangular tables in the same size creates a clean, modern effect . The symmetrical layout only adds to the look. This arrangement is one of the most versatile wedding seating chart ideas that works for nearly any style and guest count! 

The Heirloom Table

Freestyle Layout

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 ). 

Biltmore Estate

Circular Tables

This wedding seating chart idea is one of the most timeless options around. Circular tables are great for creating an elegant look at your venue, and they're easy to arrange in both large and small spaces. You can stagger them like this to fit venues with less square footage or spread them out for a grand effect. 

Event Rentals Unlimited

Tables Throughout Your Venue

If your venue has unique features, such as a pool, courtyard, or even formal gardens , you can use that to your advantage when creating your reception layout. It's an idea that will require a bit more planning and thought, especially to prevent guests from feeling like they're missing out on what's happening in the main space. You can do this by spreading the elements of your reception throughout the venue as well — for example, the dance floor in one area, cake/dessert in another, and food stations that will encourage people to walk around. 

Happily Ever After

Mix-and-Match 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. 

Related WeddingWire Articles

Planning & Inspiration

12 unique wedding seating chart ideas guaranteed to impress your guests.

Alexis and Danny Wedding Seating Chart Mirror – Bowery Hotel – Laura Watson Photography

After hours of contemplation, you have finally mapped out where your guests are going sit at dinner. Now comes the task of deciding how to translate table numbers and seating assignments into a decorative display that is clear, easy-to-read, and eye-catching. Guiding guests with a wedding seating chart is not only functional, but also offers endless opportunities for couples to be creative while setting the tone for their reception. Secondly, the setup works in small transitional areas where foot traffic needs to move quickly as well as bigger areas where people can take their time and walk around. Last, but far from least, the reception seating sign can be decorated and styled to suit any wedding aesthetic from modern chic to garden enchantment to vintage romanticism. Read on for 12 unique seating chart ideas guaranteed to impress your guests and keep conversations flowing long after they find their tables.

Pretty Pressed Flowers 

Wedding Seating Chart with Pressed Flowers – via greenweddingshoes.com

Incorporating pressed flowers into wedding decor is a great choice for anyone who loves the cottagecore trend. Putting a modern spin on the charming aesthetic, this seating chart features loose petals and leaves pressed between frosted acrylic sheets with table numbers and guests’ names printed on the surface. The floral and greenery overhang adds a soft, colorful touch to the display.

DIY Framed Press Flowers

Pressed Flower Picture Frame Wedding Seating Chart – via theweddingplaybook.com

We absolutely adore this seating chart featuring pressed flowers in gold picture frames – it’s an ideal choice for the crafty couple taking a DIY approach to wedding planning. Perfect for an intimate garden soirée, the pastel colors and delicate details create a setup that has vintage romance appeal, but also feels fresh at the same time.

A Luxe Tropical Invite 

Asya and Anders Wedding – Palm Leaf Seating Chart – Dear Stacey Wedding Photography

We collaborated with ES Blooms to create the floral decor for this luxe tropical-inspired wedding that took place on the waterfront in Long Island. The unique seating chart was a focal point of the reception – guests’ names were handwritten on monstera leaves and hung on a ‘wall’ made of bamboo canes. Vivid purple orchids added a pop of color while natural branches, ivy vines, and Spanish moss underscored the upscale-jungle vibe.

A Lush, Island Oasis Theme

Anna and Michael Wedding – Seating Table Sign – Catch – Zani and Duwayne Photography

“Michael and I originally wanted to have a destination wedding, but knew logistically, it would be near impossible to pull off in the eight months we had to plan,” Real BB Weddings Bride Anna points out. “Instead, we decided to have a lush island oasis be the theme of our reception.” Their guests were welcomed by a festive seating chart adorned with monstera leaves, sword fern, jungle ivy, and green amaranthus accented with vibrant magenta mokara and vanda orchids.

Fairytale Dreams With Vintage Mirrors

Vintage Mirror Wedding Seating Chart – via greenweddingshoes.com

Here’s a seating chart idea to make your fairytale wedding dreams come true. Once you have a sense of how many tables you’ll need, collect the same number of vintage mirrors with ornate frames – flea markets, Etsy, and Ebay are great sources – and ask an artistic friend to handwrite guests’ names in white on each one. Running short on time and resources? Consider renting mirrors from an event decor rental company and hiring a professional calligrapher to take over any handwritten signage.

Put A Personal Stamp On Decor With A Wax Seal

Creative Wedding Seating Chart Ideas – via junebugweddings

Many couples highlight a specific detail to unify the various parts of their wedding. Elegant and beautiful, a wax seal adds a personal touch to invitations, menus, favors, thank you notes, escort cards, and even seating charts. This display pairs gold wax seals with torn edge paper to create an Old-World feel, which stands out against the clear acrylic backboard and brass frame.

A Simple, Yet Stylish Welcome

Nailah and Hasan Wedding – Welcome Sign – Liberty Warehouse – Jenna Cavanaugh Photography

BB Featured Bride Nailah’s parent’s company, Custom Creative Events, made the stylish acrylic signage, table numbers, menus, and card box for her wedding at Liberty Warehouse. Friends and family were greeted to the reception with a chic seating chart placed in a wooden stand and decorated with blush and white roses, lisianthus, and mums accented with fresh greenery. This clean and simple design is great if you are working with a small space, and can be styled to accommodate any wedding floral aesthetic.

Express Yourself

Vintage Globe Wedding Seating Chart – via junebugweddings.com

The seating chart is a decor focal point in which a couple can have fun expressing their personality and shared interests. You bonded over a love for travel – let everyone know by using vintage globes to represent your table numbers and displaying seating lists above. The design is straightforward, easy to read, and will have guests talking long after they sit down for dinner.

Use A Bold, Color Block Design

Creative Wedding Seat Chart Ideas – via wedding weddingchicks.com

Sometimes all it takes is striking color combo to get people’s attention. This vibrant pink and orange backboard is complimented by a copper stand and lush magenta blooms for a natural touch. A thoughtful sentiment, the “Our Favorite People” adds to this setup’s joyous and warm impression.

Opt For A Black Backdrop For High-Impact

Creative Wedding Seating Chart Ideas – via andimejia.com

Introducing black into a color scheme will make lighter decor elements pop within your weddingscape. Designed with the ‘New Romantic’ in mind, this seating chart display features white and taupe floral arrangements, pillar candles, and signs against a black backdrop.

Wild + Whimsical

Creative Wedding Seating Chart Ideas – via junebugweddings.com

How does your garden grow? Needless to say, we are obsessed with this design, which pairs whimsical wildflowers within a simple copper frame. Pro Tip: Ask your florist and wedding planner (if you have one) about repurposing ceremony arrangements and using them to decorate the seating chart display.

Work With Unexpected Furniture Displays

Creative Wedding Seat Chart Ideas – via brides.com

What makes this wedding chart incorporating a free-standing shelf so great is how its units clearly divide table numbers with guests’ names while providing space to display florals and decorative elements. Because the design requires ample floor area, it’s an ideal choice for an outdoor reception where guests can walk around the structure with ease.

When meeting with clients, we explain how important the seating chart display is for maintaining a seamless flow between the ceremony and reception as well as continuity throughout wedding floral decor. Additionally, it is one focal point where couples can step out of the box and be playful all while keeping to their wedding theme. We hope these ideas inspire you to take an original approach to designing a seating guide that stops guests in their tracks, ultimately setting the mood for the unforgettable celebration to come.

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In This Article

• Wedding Reception Seating Chart For All Types Wedding Themes

Wedding Reception Seating Chart Tips And Etiquette

• Wedding Party & Reception

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For 2024 With Examples

Unless you’ve already planned a bunch of weddings it’s easy to underestimate how much of an impact your wedding seating chart can make to your reception. If you’re the type of person who likes a challenge, you’re going to have fun balancing making room for all your guests, allowing natural flow through the room, making it easy for your guests to identify their assigned space, and making the wedding reception seating chart match your theme.

Read on for seating chart basics and creative guidance for all types of wedding themes.

Quick Navigation

How do I make a seating chart for a wedding?

To make a seating chart for a wedding, create a list of guests and assign tables based on relationships and interests. Then, use creative displays like vintage frames or natural elements to showcase seating assignments.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For All Wedding Themes

When designing your seating charts, borrow queues from the immediate area just like these wedding seating chart examples.

Wedding Reception Seating Chart For Country Wedding

liliaflowerboutique via instagram

blossombaydesign via Instagram

The first piece of advice is to create a wedding seating chart poster that’s front and center for all your guests to see. Make your table cards equally accessible. For a country-themed reception seating stick with the definitions. Rural, unfinished, and specific to the area are the calling cards of the country style.

• Burned text on raw local wood. Find a large plank of gorgeously textured wood and write out the names and assignments using a wood-burning kit.
• Stretched leather and black ink. You don’t have to skin a hide yourself, but a large unfinished pelt will seem as though it came from the farm next door. Creating a wooden frame and handwriting names and assignments are a perfect DIY wedding seating chart project.
• Even destination weddings can indulge in a country theme since it’s defined as drawing from the local heritage. A Hawaiian ceremony, for example, can feature a transparent plexiglass box (where the writing sits) filled with luminous volcanic rock. Accompany this by table charts made from stone statues of Laka – the Hawaiian goddess of love.

Get your DIY materials here:

• Leather Pelt: Bed Bath & Beyond
• Live Edge Pine Slab: Lowes
• Volcanic Rock: Amazon
• Fibreglass Casing: Bed Bath & Beyond

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Seating Chart For Stylish Chic Wedding

designmill_co via Instagram

phuket_wedding_planner via Instagram

Next up in our series of wedding seating chart tips is to make a firm decision about the shape of your table and how many guests will be at each table.

Knowing how many people are sitting at each table really helps you plan where to seat your guests. If it’s a chic wedding theme you’re after, consider more tables and smaller groups so that conversations can be a bit more intimate.

Chic and stylish are a beautiful combination of trendy and trendsetting. Typically chic designs use time-tested elements with unique and creative spins, just like these table setting chart examples.

• Print your seating assignments on a sheet of metal like brushed aluminum or copper and set it on a delicate artist’s easel.
• Instead of one giant seating chart, choose an elegant frame for each table and hang them next to each other in an artistic arrangement.
• Many chic wedding themes feature generous use of lighting. Blend in your wedding seating chart decor by feature a plain, clean text backlight by LEDs.

Buy materials:

• Brushed Aluminum Sheet: China aluminum metal
• LED String Lights: Wish

Modern Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

The next step to creating successful wedding seating charts is to priorities your VIPs. You want your biggest fans as close as possible, which include both sets of parents, grandparents, and siblings. You also want your bridal party and their dates to sit nice and close too. Once you’ve coordinated their seats you can start to plan around them.

Modern wedding seating chart ideas take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. It can be something as simple as a wide board with your choice of fonts, or an everyday item artfully repurposed.

• Rent an oversized touchscreen or use a tablet that you already own. Simply have your guests type in their name which populates a screen showing an image of their table and highlights their seat. If you can spring for it, opt for facial recognition so that your guests can skip the name typing.
• For an outdoor wedding reception, set up a mock indoor space complete with an armchair, throw rug, and a bookshelf to house your seating plan.
• Use a printed map and name your tables as a state. For example, mom and dad will be assigned to the New York table while cousin Jesse and the party will be seated at the Chicago table.

Buy supplies:

• TouchScreen Rental: Oneworldrental
• Furniture Rental: EasyHome.com
• Printed Map: MapShop.com

Beach Wedding Seating Chart Examples

Once you have your VIPs seated, start filling the tables behind them. This is much easier if you break them into groups – distant relatives, work friends, etc.. – and ask your trusted advisors for some help. Making sure that everyone has a great seat and that each table has a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances is much easier as a group.

A beach wedding has the flexibility of being traditional, wild, and crazy, or anything in between. Whatever your choice of themes, it’s best to borrow from your surroundings.

• Stick a surfboard in the sand and write out your arrangements. It’ll be easy enough to find one that matches your color scheme.
• Adorn an arch with as many local plants and flowers as you can, and hang your table arrangements from a delicate string. This will look beautiful and natural as it flutters in the breeze.
• Write your wedding seating chart details in white on top of a slab of glass that sits on a thick wooden base. This looks natural by itself, but also allows it to blend in with natural surroundings.

Find materials here:

• Surfboard: surfstationstore.com
• Wicker Arch: Wayfair
• Glass Slab: fabglassandmirror

Vintage Seating Chart Ideas

heatherbengeofficial via Instagram

mymagicdreams via Instagram

Once your guests have found their tables, make it easy for them to confirm their seats with easy-to-find, easy-to-read Table Cards. These can be mini versions of the larger seating charts that you have out front. Or, they can be their own design so that it fits the table better. If you’re going this route, make sure that they integrate with your overall theme.

Vintage seating charts only work if you’re planning a wedding that draws from a specific era or decade. If this is your wedding theme of choice, you can have a lot of fun with your seating chart.

• Use an old window frame
• Use an old vintage suitcase. Open it up, stand it on its side, and decorate the inside.
• Find an old piece of wood and mount vintage kitchen knobs or vintage keys to hand the seating arrangements from.

For authenticity and the best bargain, head to your local thrift or antique store.

Whimsical Wedding Seating Chart

pasion_eventos via Instagram

Now that everyone has their seat, it’s time to think about Name Tags. Some think name tags are lame – you’re excused if you fit into that group – but a lot of your guests won’t know each other, and this is a really non-abrasive way to break the ice.

If your theme and design allow for it, try to make your table cards double as name tags your guests can pin to their tops.

A whimsical wedding theme is exactly how it sounds – a plunge into the odd and unexpected. Match your wedding seating chart template to your wedding theme by creating something eccentrically amusing.

• Indoor wedding? Bring a live tree inside and dangle the seating arrangements from the branches. This will look fantastic and force your guests to interact with the decor by poking through it to find their names and places.
• Create a wall of wine by mounting wine glasses to a garden wall. The glasses can either be stuffed with paper that carries seating instructions, or the glasses can be full of your best chardonnay with a label hanging from it.
• Fill balloons with helium and let them dance in the air as seating assignments dangle from each string. Not only will this force your guests’ eyes upwards to take in the entire venue, but the splash of color also makes for excellent wedding photos.

Get the stuff here:

• Decorative Tree: Wayfair
• Wine Glass Rack: Wayfair
• Bunch of Balloons: BargainBalloons

Seating Chart For Rustic Wedding

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

When creating your wedding seating chart make sure it’s at the front end of your wedding reception timeline . The first thing your guests should be doing is finding their seats, getting settled, and then socializing. Otherwise, you’ll have friends and family wandering around for far too long which throws off your speech, dance, and other timing.

Rustic weddings are fun to plan for. Use the same aesthetics in your wedding seating chart etiquette as you do for the rest of your ceremony and reception. Favor simplicity over beauty, and be proud of nature and Southern values.

• Repurposed pallets can be stood on their end and decorated with plants. Wood and greenery go great with the rustic look.
• Hang Horseshoes with attached seating tags from some weathered nails. This can be hung from a wall, but it’s best if you erect something temporary so that you’re not damaging anything.
• Write names and seating arrangements on the Old Door that’s placed front and center of your reception area entrance. This should blend into the “old barn” feel that you’ve established.

Get materials here:

• Wood Pallet: Businesses are constantly paying to get rid of these. Make a few calls and you can get one for free.
• Vintage Horseshoes: Etsy
• Old Door: Wayfair

Amazing Boho Seating Chart Ideas

jasmine_brida via Instagram

That’s all for how to do a wedding seating chart, but we have plenty more examples and resources for different styles and themes. Keep clicking or swiping to find the inspiration you need for your wedding seating charts.

The bohemian wedding style forms a firm connection with nature and draws from the hippy lifestyle of the 1960s.

• Adorn a Chalkboard with lace and other boho cues to create a simple yet elegant seating chart.
• Simulate the quintessential boho garland headpiece by decorating a Hula Hoop with feathers and flowers, and stringing the seating arrangements through its center.
• Stretch natural Burlap fabric over a base with alphabetized seating arrangements for a clean and simple design. For extra flavor, create a lace border.

Find DIY materials:

Seating Chart For Casual Wedding

jasmine_bridal via Instagram

Many couples choose to forego the glitz and glamor either to save a few dollars or to separate themselves from the fuss. Gowns, suits, menus, and decor are simplified in order to focus on the ceremony, the couple, and the company. These 3 wedding seating charts follow suit.

• Cut out the first letters of the bride and groom’s name. Post the bride’s guests’ info in her letter and do the same for the groom.
• Find the plainest Sign that you can. This can be a simple whiteboard atop a simple artist’s easel or posted on an easy-to-find wall.
• Make use of one of the most practical household items; a Corkboard. Pin your seating assignments and allow your guests to find their tables with ease.

Things to buy:

• Cut-out Letters: Amazon
• Plain Sign: Wayfair
• Corkboard: ULINE

Art-Deco Seating Charts

shawnayamamoto via Instagram

goodseedfloral via Instagram

If you’re not familiar with Art-Deco, think Great Gatsby. The style that swept Western design through the ’20s and ’30s is defined by strong geometric patterns and bold, contrasting colors. Use this style for your wedding theme for unmistakable decor.

• Create a simple board, but in the characteristic Gold and Black theme with art-deco fonts to match. Or, go with a classic Art-Deco print and write on top of that.
• Create a Geometric Archway where your guests will find their seating arrangements strung from.
• Collect 6-8 frames and paint them calling-card Gold to create one giant assemblage of frames.

Supplies for your theme:

• Art Deco Printed Board: Wayfair
• Art Deco Archway: Amazon
• Painted Frames: Indigo

Eco-Friendly Wedding Seating Chart

Eco-friendly is a way of life, not just a design theme. If this sounds like you, your decor of choice will have to have a 0-waste policy and should have some connection with nature.

• Burn your guests’ names and details into the ends of Wood Logs. This looks great, easy to find, easy to read, and when you’re done you can create a lovely bonfire to sit around.
• Etched Stones make a beautiful eco-friendly wedding seating chart. It’s best if you can find large stones that are naturally polished, they’re much easier to read than small rough stones.
• Reclaimed and Reused is just as good as zero-waste sometimes, which makes an Open Ladder a perfect seating chart option. Choose a few rungs at eye level to represent a table.

The great thing about eco-friendly designs, they’re mostly free! As long as you have a saw, wood logs are mother nature’s gift. The same goes with stones, and it’s very likely you already have access to an old ladder. Put a little time and effort into these little projects and they’ll look like a million bucks.

DIY Wedding Seating Chart

joyproctor via Instagram

Some couples prefer DIY to save a few dollars, and some feel a sense of genuine pride working as a team and completing a project. Whichever version describes you, these 3 wedding seating chart examples are gorgeous, easy, and low-cost.

• Write your guests’ details on a ьirror. Try to make sure the frame matches your theme, and make sure to practice your calligraphy before attempting the final product.
• Choose an assortment of Planters and hand-craft your guests’ cards to sit inside like feeding instructions. Take it a step further by creating homemade shelves or platforms for them to sit on, or create a giant planter that sits on the ground.
• Create a lattice wedding seating chart where simple cards sit in a nice arrangement. This is great for outdoor, rustic, and casual-themed weddings.
• Mirror: Bouclair
• Planters: Walmart
• Lattice: Wayfair

missstellayork via Instagram

To make your life simple and your wedding seating charts a great success, just follow the advice we listed above.

• Choose your overall wedding theme first, your charts and cards should match.
• Create your entire guest list so you know how many people you have to accommodate, then decide on a table shape/size so you know how many guests a single table can handle.
• Place your VIPs upfront, and break the rest of your tables into groups to make their experience social and fun.
• Make sure your seating chart is immediately visible when your guests enter the venue so they don’t have to walk around looking for it. Place table cards at their seats so they can confirm they have it right.
• Work your seating chart into your overall wedding timeline and budget so you know what you can afford and have enough time to do it right.

Like everything else on your wedding planning to-do list, a wedding seating chart becomes simple and beautiful if you put in a little research and planning ahead of time. We hope that these samples triggered your imagination and that our guidance inspires you to create the wedding of your dreams.

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How to Create the Ultimate Wedding Seating Chart

Ace your reception seating by following our expert advice.

Jaimie Mackey was the real weddings editor at Brides from 2013 to 2015. She also worked as a luxury wedding planner and produced over 100 high-end weddings and events in Colorado

Photo by KT Merry

In This Article

While assigned seating at a wedding certainly isn't mandatory, most couples do opt to create a wedding seating chart for their big day. That's because, when hosting any kind of sit-down dinner affair, like your wedding reception , assigned seats tend to make things simpler for you and your guests. In fact, many venues actually require assigned reception seating, as it enables the wait staff to easily and efficiently manage your dinner service. But while a seating chart is a helpful tool to reference during your celebration, putting one together can seem extremely overwhelming at first. Don't worry, though: We're here to help alleviate any stress associated with this task.

According to planner Chanda Daniels, the best way for couples to tackle this wedding planning duty is to consult with their venue before beginning to put together their seating chart . "Ask for several layouts based on the guest count to see what the options are, including the plotting of dance floors, photo booths, etc.," she suggests. "That will help you determine where to seat the guests." She also recommends working on this with your partner on a Saturday morning with brunch. "Put the names on index cards and start working on it like a puzzle," Daniels advises. "Then sit with it for a day or two before it’s actually due. Once you make it final, [send] it to your planner.  And remember to have fun!"

Meet the Expert

Chanda Daniels is the founder and creative director of  Chanda Daniels Planning + Design , a California wedding planning company with a focus on the San Francisco Bay area.

Need a few more tips? Here, we've created the ultimate guide to planning out your wedding seating chart. Keep reading below for all the expert advice you need.

Photo by St. Chelle

What to Consider Before Creating a Wedding Seating Chart

Before you start organizing names, you'll need to have your final guest count locked in, as you don't want to put time and energy into creating a seating chart, only to have to change everything at a later date. Once you've finalized who's coming, however, you should take the time to group your 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 the 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' ages, interests, and backgrounds. "People who have kids around the same age, people who traveled to be at the wedding—find the commonality within people so they can have things to talk about, again like putting together the perfect puzzle," says Daniels. Of course, you should also be tactful: Absolutely avoid grouping people together who you know don't get along.

Finally, once you have a general sense of who should go where, you'll need to put together a game plan for your tables, as the size and shape will dictate how many guests can be seated. In general, you'll have four standard table shapes to choose from—round, rectangle, oval, and square—and each table will have its own benefits. For instance, 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 legroom.

Photo by 515 Photo Co.

How to Create a Wedding Seating Chart

Below, we provide seven expert tips to follow when designing the ultimate wedding reception seating chart.

Create Either an Electronic or Physical Seating Chart

There are two ways you can organize your seating chart: electronically or by hand. For those looking to take the electronic route, sites like WeddingWire and Wedding Mapper make it incredibly easy to design a seating chart online. As a bonus, these sites have drag-and-drop seating options, which makes it simple to arrange (and rearrange) to your heart's content.

On the other hand, 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 and play around with it until you've found the right mix. (This is also where Daniels' index card idea comes in handy.) 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.

Keep the Venue in Mind

As mentioned, your venue layout will play a large role in where you seat your guests. More specifically, 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, remember that older guests may want to be a little farther from the band (and not near a speaker).

Another venue tip to keep in mind? 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.

Seat younger guests who will be dancing all night near the band or the DJ, so they have easy access to the dance floor.

Figure Out Where Your Parents Will Sit

Traditionally, all of the parents will share a table at the reception, along with grandparents and any siblings that aren't in the wedding party. This gives everyone another chance to get to know each other and bask in the glow of your special day. While all of your guests will be thrilled to be there and share in your celebrations, no one will likely be as overjoyed as your parents—which is a wonderful thing for them to share together.

Of course, things can get tricky when you're dealing with divorced parents (or other more complex family circumstances). If things are tense between certain key individuals, consider having two tables that are equally close to the head table and then put one at each table. That way, no one feels uncomfortable or left out. Another option: Consider seating them at the same rectangular table but at opposite ends (and try to make the table long ).

Keep Your Wedding Party Close

A head table with your wedding party (and their dates) is a great way to acknowledge your VIP's special role and ensure you're surrounded by your BFFs during the reception. 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 is for your parents, and the third nearest table is for your wedding party (near the dance floor, naturally!).

Enlist Your Parents' Help to Seat Their Friends

If you have no idea where to seat your parents' close friends, ask your mother and future mother-in-law (or whoever is closest to them) to help arrange those tables (trust us, they'll be happy to be involved). If there's room at the family table(s), for example, your parents will be sure to have an opinion on which close friends or other extended family members they might like to have seated at their table. And if there will be another family-and-friends table nearby, they may want to help choose those guests, too.

Skip the Singles Table

If you've been dying to fix your old coworker up with your cousin, you might take this opportunity to discreetly seat them next to each other. But resist the urge to create a separate "singles" table, which might embarrass your guests. Also, don't seat your unmarried friend at a table full of married couples. Use your best judgment, and try to be sensitive to guests' feelings.

Consider a Kids' Table

If you have several children as guests at your wedding, one strategy is to seat them together at a separate kids' table, where you can even have engaging activities and/or crafts to keep them occupied. Additionally, while it might be tempting to put the babies in a corner, definitely do not put the kids' table too far away from where their parents are sitting. Younger children might get anxious when they look around and don't see their parents anywhere (and vice versa). On the other hand, if your flower girl and ring bearer are the only children present, seat them with their parents.

PHOTO BY  OLIVIA MARSHALL

Additional Wedding Seating Chart Tips to Know

Need some more advice? Here are two additional wedding seating chart tips to know when organizing your tables for your big day.

Convey All Table Assignments Clearly

When it comes to actually telling your guests where to sit, your goal should be to ensure everyone finds their place as easily as possible. For example, arranging guests’ names in alphabetical order (versus grouped by table) means they’ll be able to find their seats faster than if they had to read every table arrangement on the list to figure out where to go.

Opting for one or two long tables for everyone? A diagram with numbered seats, accompanied by an alphabetical list of guests’ names and seat numbers, will get them in place with ease. A font that’s easier to read is always welcome for any sort of signage, as well.

Consider Assigning Tables Only (Not Seats)

If you're truly not into an assigned seating master plan, consider assigning tables—without specific seats—instead. This way, your wedding guests will still have some direction but can make their own choices—and no one will be scrambling for seats when you’re about to make your grand entrance . That being said, put thought into who you’ll be grouping together to make sure everyone has someone to talk to and will have a good time. If you forego assigned seats or tables, also make sure your elderly guests always have a designated place to sit down.

If you plan on having a formal sit-down meal with wait staff service, assigning tables instead of specific seats may not be your best option. Venues will often require place cards for formal dining to subtly indicate which guests will be receiving which meal.

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YOUR WEDDING SEATING CHART CHALLENGES RESOLVED

How to make a wedding seating chart? Based on your RSVP list and floor plan, assign guests to tables based on family, family, friends, or other groups of guests that you want to sit together. Once you have assigned guests to tables, you can start assigning seats. Personalize Minted's wedding seating chart template to reflect yours. For further guidance, you can read Minted’s helpful guide on creating a seating chart .

How should I organize the chart for an easy read? There are 2 ways to do this:

• By Table Number: List guest names alphabetically by last name under each table assignment.
• Alphabetical by Name: List every wedding guest in alphabetically by last name. Next to each guest’s name you can list their table assignment. This is recommended if you have guests more than 80 people.

What is the size of a wedding seating chart? Minted offers two sizes of weddings eating charts: 16” x 20” and 18” x 24”. Choose based on your space and the number of guests.

Where should I display the seating chart? Consider the entry area to the dining area or the welcome table where gifts and the guestbook are located. High visibility areas are your best bet. Using an easel is a classy and simple solution. You may also consider framing it or hanging it with ribbon.

Read more ▶︎

For wedding planning veterans, it is a well-known fact that organizing a wedding seating chart can be a challenge. It is typically finalized weeks leading up to the wedding as the final RSVPs come in and table assignments are shuffled around to accommodate confirmed guests. There are countless ways to create your seating arrangements, such as grouping guests that have similar friends, live in similar areas, or maintain similar ages. There is also the added pressure of how you decide who sits at table 1 and how immediate family members should be grouped.

We understand that creating your wedding table seating can be overwhelming, no matter how you decide to organize the dining arrangements at your reception. Once your game plan is finalized, Minted is here to help ensure your layout is clearly communicated in a design-forward way so every guest can find their seat with ease. With over 40 original seating chart designs to choose from, you are sure to find one that speaks to the theme of your wedding, whether it’s modern, beachy , classic, vintage , rustic , bohemian, or otherwise.

YOU HAVE OPTIONS: TWO ORGANIZATIONAL FORMATS

There are two traditional ways to alert guests of their seating arrangements. Each of Minted’s wedding seating chart poster designs can feature either organizational option. If you’re looking for the pros and cons of both, review our helpful guide to creating a seating chart .

• By Table Number: Your seating board can opt to be organized by table numbers, listing guest names alphabetically by last name under each table assignment. This allows guests to quickly see all the people sitting at each table and who may be near them.
• Alphabetical by Name: This option simply lists every wedding guest in alphabetical order. Next to each guest’s name you can list their table assignment. It is recommended that you list alphabetically by the last name.

LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT MINTED’S SEATING SIGNS

Weddings are personal, and there is no reason why your wedding seating chart design can’t reflect your personal tastes and style. In addition to style, we allow you to order as many signs as you need to accommodate your guest list size. Depending on where you opt to display your signage, customize the size to be either 16” x 20” or 18” x 24” to best fit your space. Additional customization features include easily manipulating the color theme to correspond with your wedding look.

Complete your personalization using our online tools, allowing you to save time and money in lieu of hiring a graphic designer or calligrapher. When completing your order, select between two luxe paper stocks. Our Signature option is our classic cotton-texture offering Minted customers have grown to love over the years. Upgrade to our DoubleThick option if looking for a sturdy and durable material that can better withstand outdoor elements. Finish off the presentation by selecting either square edges or rounded edges.

VARIED DESIGNS FROM DIVERSE ARTISTS

Minted’s designs are created by artists from over 50 states and 100 countries. Because our artists have such different backgrounds and perspectives, our themes and looks are broad and range from rustic to tropical to floral, and everything in between. Our wide and continually refreshed assortment ensures you’ll have a one-of-a-kind look for your wedding, as each seating poster design is exclusive to Minted. Not only do the themes differ greatly, but so do the art mediums and techniques used to create them. Shop clever creations made from watercolor, graphic art, typography, and more. Find a sign that matches other wedding stationery you have ordered such as your wedding invitations or place cards . We also have a wide variety of wedding signs so you can broadcast cohesive information to your guests throughout your venue.

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How to Make a Wedding Seating Chart (Without Stressing Out)

Kayla is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

Some wedding-planning tasks are easier to cross off your list than others—but even the more difficult tasks can be done with minimal stress. Take making a seating chart for your wedding, for example. Many find arranging their guests among their wedding's reception tables to be a total headache, but it doesn't have to be that way. We're here to walk you through exactly how to make a wedding seating chart.

First things first: Start devising your wedding seating plan about two to three weeks before the big day , once you've (hopefully) heard back from everybody you've invited. To begin, you'll need to scour your RSVPs and figure out who's actually coming (which is who you need to seat). Once you have that list, you'll also need to decide on a wedding seating layout—what types of tables do you want to have and how are you going to arrange them in your reception space? If you're struggling to answer these questions yourselves, you can always consult your wedding planner. You can also turn to other factors, like your budget and venue, to figure out what makes the most sense in terms of furniture rentals and the like.

From there, you'll settle on where to place each person. Unfortunately, there's no steadfast approach for deciding who gets what chair, but the following tips will help you navigate a handful of situations. (Remember: You can always assign guests a particular table instead of a specific seat if that makes it easier!)

Choose Your Table Shape

Once your guest list is finalized, you'll need to determine how many tables you'll need and how many people will be seated at each one. Keep in mind that shape plays an important role. While rectangular ones make it easier for guests to chat, round tables might be simpler for you to sort (you'll only need to pay mind to who's sitting directly next to one another).

Put Pen to Paper

It's helpful to literally map out your seating chart. You can laminate pieces of paper printed with table shapes that you can label with dry erase markers, or you can use an online tool like All Seated . If you prefer color coordinating, divide your guest list into categories arranged by color (your college friends might be represented with pink, his in blue, and family in yellow, for example) and write out everyone's names on the appropriate colored Post-it flag. Then, arrange—and rearrange—them on photocopied outlines of your table arrangements.

Seat the Two of You First

Since it's your big day, your table should be centrally located. Typically, you'll sit at a table by yourselves with your wedding party or with your parents and a few close relatives and friends. You also have the option of sitting at a sweetheart table, which is reserved for just the couple of the hour.

Then Seat Your Wedding Party

Depending on the size of your wedding party—and how many of them invited plus-ones—you can seat everyone together at one long head table, or divide the group among several tables that are situated near you and the groom.

Put Family First

After you seat yourselves, place your parents somewhere close (unless they're sitting with you). Unlike the ceremony, where the groom's and bride's sides traditionally sit separately, at the reception, you can mix things up and seat everyone together.

Ask Your Parents for Help

Odds are that you don't know every one of your parents' friends as well as they do. Include them in the process by giving them a say as to where their friends should be seated.

Find Common Ground

When seating remaining guests, put people who know each other together instead of intentionally trying to mix things up. That said, when placing people who may not know each other at one table, consider their life experiences and interests. If you know your best friend, Rachel, is a hardcore hockey fan, you might seat her next to John, who played in college. Your ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere where your guests can have fun.

Avoid a Singles' Table

Although love is in the air, don't be tempted to play matchmaker and seat all of the single guests together. Instead, intersperse single guests among couples, focusing on common interests, not relationship status.

Bring Children Together

Kids like being around other kids, so a kid's table, and similarly, one for teenage guests, is a good way for everyone to have some fun, parents included!

Practice Sensitivity

In terms of table placement, consider your guests' specific needs. Grandparents will likely have a better time in a well-lit area away from the band and speakers within view of the dance floor, but not in the thick of it.

Get Creative With Table Assignments

Once you finally settle on seating assignments (phew!), use the seating chart and table numbers as opportunities to get personal. Whatever their form, arrange your guests' names in alphabetical order with legible table assignments in a format that will guide guests to their seats smoothly.

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