Photo: Posh+Folk
Once you’ve made a guest list, sent out invitations, and marked who has RSVP’d “yes” and “no,” it’s time to start making your wedding table assignments. This is a tall order for a number of reasons, from family politics to the sheer scale of the project (not to mention keeping it all organized!). So how do you decide who sits where? We’ve got a few tips to help you out.
Once you know how many guests will be attending, how many tables you’ll have, and how many seats there will be at each table, it’s time to start assigning guests. A great way to start? If you’re having a head table, choose who is sitting there, first. You could invite both of your families to join you, or keep this for the wedding party only. There you go, first table done!
Next, ask both of your parents to decide who will sit at their tables. Give them the guest list, as well as the number of seats at their tables, and let them choose who they’ll be dining with. This ensures they’ll be happy with their company, and takes a few tables off of your to-do list. Parents are often better versed in family politics, as well, so they are a great resource when it comes to deciding which relatives to seat where.
When it comes to your friends, try to group people who will enjoy spending the evening together. This could be a few couples who already know one another, or those who may never have met but will get along great. Think about their personalities and their interests. Be sure to think about both guests who will be easy to seat and those who might be harder to add to a table. You might want to prioritize the latter guests first, as once you’ve found a spot for them, you’ll be left with guests who will be easy to seat anywhere.
For guests with kids, seat them with guests who have already met their kids, or ones who are great with little ones, and avoid guests who might not like children. This will help make sure everyone has a great evening!