Hey folks,
I hope you are all well! The start of the year has seen a big boom in wedding orders and customer queries so apologies for not putting our blog out sooner.
So today I would like to discuss Table and Seating Plans- oh my word I never knew until I did one of these how political table planning can become. Do you sit the estranged families together? Who gets to be on top table? Who gets to be nearest the top table? Do you sit friends together or put strangers on a table to mix? What do you decorate the tables with? Nightmare!
Fortunately I have had a browse and found some helpful hints and considerations for you to mull over when embarking on this ridiculously important mission- trust me you do NOT want to get this wrong…
I hope you are all well! The start of the year has seen a big boom in wedding orders and customer queries so apologies for not putting our blog out sooner.
So today I would like to discuss Table and Seating Plans- oh my word I never knew until I did one of these how political table planning can become. Do you sit the estranged families together? Who gets to be on top table? Who gets to be nearest the top table? Do you sit friends together or put strangers on a table to mix? What do you decorate the tables with? Nightmare!
Fortunately I have had a browse and found some helpful hints and considerations for you to mull over when embarking on this ridiculously important mission- trust me you do NOT want to get this wrong…
1. OK so let’s address the top table (after all, you’re the most important!)
Traditionally you are sat on a long table so that everyone in the room can see your happy smiley faces. The standard layout is pictured below.
Consult your venue for specifics on the table plan layout, it stands to reason that they know best. They may have large round tables to use or long bench style tables- this will be crucial to you getting it right.
Traditionally you are sat on a long table so that everyone in the room can see your happy smiley faces. The standard layout is pictured below.
Consult your venue for specifics on the table plan layout, it stands to reason that they know best. They may have large round tables to use or long bench style tables- this will be crucial to you getting it right.
2. It is fairly standard to group people who know each other together on a table so that there are no uncomfortable silences. Similarly, you may have a wedding breakfast full of outgoing, confident people so you may choose to split them up and encourage conversation. Having a self service style meal may help here, appoint one member as the “carver” and they can serve their fellow table guests. Of course, wine always helps with conversation.
3. Table names are often a good idea rather than table numbers (Just in case you have "sensitive" guests who object to being put on table 6 when someone else is on table 4). These can incorporate the theme for your wedding. Our's was pirate themed and we chose names of famous ships for our tables.
4. Be mindful of children- kids and drunk adults don’t tend to mix! You might want to put the kids table at the forefront so that people can keep an eye on them.
3. Table names are often a good idea rather than table numbers (Just in case you have "sensitive" guests who object to being put on table 6 when someone else is on table 4). These can incorporate the theme for your wedding. Our's was pirate themed and we chose names of famous ships for our tables.
4. Be mindful of children- kids and drunk adults don’t tend to mix! You might want to put the kids table at the forefront so that people can keep an eye on them.
5. You may want to save the nearest seats to the top table for immediate family and elderly relatives- they may not be able to hear very well if they are stuck at the back somewhere!
6. Keep abreast of any rivalries! If there are family feuds or friends not getting along, although your initial plan may have been to put them together, in the interests of harmony you may want to re-think your plan!
7. You could opt for unassigned seating but in practice this doesn’t tend to work and a survey done in 2006 stated that 84% of people asked preferred assigned seating. Don’t forget waiter service in this equation- if you assign seats your venue will know who is vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant etc and know exactly where to serve it.
8. Finally when you have decided on your seating arrangements create/purchase a clear and defined table plan! Make it as fancy as you want it but remember it needs to serve a purpose! We got creative with ours and to fit our wedding theme we made it out of an old map which we further weathered and made scrolls with the guest names on there.
6. Keep abreast of any rivalries! If there are family feuds or friends not getting along, although your initial plan may have been to put them together, in the interests of harmony you may want to re-think your plan!
7. You could opt for unassigned seating but in practice this doesn’t tend to work and a survey done in 2006 stated that 84% of people asked preferred assigned seating. Don’t forget waiter service in this equation- if you assign seats your venue will know who is vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant etc and know exactly where to serve it.
8. Finally when you have decided on your seating arrangements create/purchase a clear and defined table plan! Make it as fancy as you want it but remember it needs to serve a purpose! We got creative with ours and to fit our wedding theme we made it out of an old map which we further weathered and made scrolls with the guest names on there.
At the end of the day this is your special event, it’s all about the two of you- you’ve planned it, paid for it and are now ready to enjoy it.
Good luck!
Pete
inviteinabottle
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