How to Organize Your Seating Chart

Your wedding is in about a month – and your RSVP deadline just passed. You’re starting to hunt down a few straggling guests who forgot to respond to your invitation. You are in the home stretch of your wedding planning. Everything is all lined up and ready to go, right? Wait, what’s this about a seating chart? Can’t everyone just pick their own seat for dinner?

I know this might not be what you want to hear but, it is best practice to create a seating chart for your reception – even if you are offering a buffet for dinner.

I know this can be a daunting task – especially when you start considering and family or friend drama that may exist – let’s be real, we all have a little in our family/friend groups. ☺ 

Here are a few tips to help make designing your seating chart as stress free as possible.

Start Early

You don’t have to wait to start designing your seating chart until you have all your RSVPs confirmed. I actually recommend you start the process of allocating your guests in of 8 or 10 (depending on the size of your tables at your reception) as you define your guest list overall. 

Let Relationships Be Your Guide

As you start to group your guest list, put like with like. Group your guests with either family groups they are naturally in or in friend groups they have already established. There is a thought to put guests with other guests they don’t know in hopes of them finding new connections at your wedding reception. However, it has been my experience, most of your guests are happier if they are seated with people they already know. They will have plenty of time to mix and mingle with new people during the cocktail hour and reception after dinner.

Diagram Your Event Space

Start to sketch out how you would like your event space to be configured. Where will your dance floor be in relation to your tables? Where will the DJ or band be located? Making these decisions early will help you figure out how you want to place your groups of guests. 

Place Your Parents First

Often a good place to start, is placing your parents’ tables first – and then build from there. This is a great way to ensure your parents have the best location for the reception. It is also a way to honor and thank them for all of their support. ☺

Tame Tensions

Your wedding is not the time to encourage family or friends to reconcile old quarrels. If guests have had tricky pasts or just don’t like each other – do your best to keep them away from each other at your wedding. ☺ It will make it a more pleasant day for everyone. 

Create Reunion Time

Remember, your wedding isn’t just a time to celebrate the beginning of your new life. It is also a wonderful time for your friends and family to connect with people they might not have seen in a really long time. Consider these groups when you are making your seating chart. Do you best to create many opportunities as possible throughout your wedding weekend for these reconnections to take place. (Not just a dinner during your reception).

Next Steps!

I hope this information is helpful! Remember, take your time with the seating chart. Don’t try to do it all at once. Know it will be a work in progress – and we can always make last minute changes if needed. ☺ 

Happy planning!

Casey Green Weddings, LLC

8700 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Suite 114, Scottsdale, AZ 85255

2501 S. Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

602-448-8133

hello@caseygreenweddings.com