Big or small, weddings with seating charts offer a less stressful experience for guests and vendors.
Once your RSVP deadline passes, it's time to start putting a seating chart together. You don't have to go so far as assigning each seat, table groupings are fine.
Guests
There are some obvious groupings, family with family, friends with friends, coworkers with coworkers. Personalities should also be considered. Are your older aunts and uncles going to be comfortable right next to the dance floor where they will struggle to hear each other over the noise? Should your cocktail-loving coworker be seated right next to the bar where they barely have to stand up to order a drink?
What about the kids (if you are inviting them, more on that in a later post)? Maybe a table just for them would give the parents a little break from tailing them all night.
Venue/Vendors
Your seating chart will help you know just how many tables and chairs are needed. Sometimes a table that normally holds 6 doesn't need all the chairs, saving you a bit on rentals. (Trust me, having a table with 3 empty chairs is really sad.)
Knowing the number of tables needed will help your venue manager/coordinator know how to arrange the reception space. This will also help with setting up the dance floor if you're having one.
If you are having a sit-down meal, your caterer will appreciate knowing what dish goes to what table. In the case of buffet-style, you can have your DJ or coordinator release each table by name so there isn't a huge line.
Day Of
Informing guests of assigned tables can be as easy as a single poster board, chalkboard, painted window, etc with names listed with each table name/number. Escort cards are kind of a waste (especially if they're paper since few guests will keep them), so unless you have a favor incorporated into it, you should skip it. Labeling tables can be as simple as printing numbers on card stock and placing them in obvious spots on tables.
Pro tip: If guests will be entering from a specific area, have the table numbers/names facing that direction for easier locating.
Wondering how to get started planning? Contact me and ask about my Roadmap Package where I will get you set up with checklists, venue lists, and how to contact vendors!
Comentários