Getting the Seating Right at a Wedding
Weddings are happy events filled with loads of excitement but they are also one of the most stressful times you will ever face in life. There's so much to plan, coordinate and accomplish that its quite easy to overlook something really important. People seldom pay much attention to the seating arrangements and this could pose problems.
In point of fact getting the seating right is really very important for a successful reception. Imagine that you have two aunts who simply cannot get along and you inadvertently put them next to each other at the reception! Would you want to be responsible for the mayhem that follows?
When planning the seating arrangements think carefully about the ties that bind and the little family squabbles. Also consider that you will serve alcohol and this can get people properly steamed up. Rather than tearing out your hair in frustration, read on to find some useful tips to help you devise the perfect seating plan which will avert disaster.
Family members and close friends who are part of the wedding party go right up front at the head table. It is best not to deviate from this plan as there are only so many people you can seat with the bride and groom. Whoever you put at your table others are going to be insulted, so stick to the bridal party only and there will not be room for complaints.
Try to place people who share similar interests together, don't go putting an artsy person next to a dry as dust lawyer! Even if people are total strangers meeting for the first time, pairing them off properly will get the conversation going. Your aim is to make sure that the mood around each table is upbeat and joyful, not dancing on the tables joyful but happy on such a special day.
Music at weddings is invariably loud, don't go putting the elderly guests near the speakers, it will be very annoying to say nothing of the discomfort they will experience. Loud noise is not good for people with hearing aids – it can interfere with their hearing ability.
When seating people at a table you need to make sure that every person at the table knows at least one other person. This will help get the conversation started and people will feel more at ease having someone they know nearby.
You should make use of these tips as a guideline to drawing up your seating chart.