seating assignment wedding

Wedding   Seating Chart

Use our unique wedding seating chart tool to effortlessly plan the arrangement of your reception or ceremony.   Create your personalized wedding plan. No hidden fees!   No sign-up required!

How to Make a Seating Chart for a Wedding

Creating your own wedding floor plan has never been easier with our user-friendly free tool. Whether you’re organizing the seating chart for your reception, or the wedding ceremony, you’ll find our template makes the whole process so straightforward. And not just for marrying couples. Wedding venues, planners, and catering teams will all find our seating chart maker streamlines the entire planning experience. With food choices, allergies and specific requirements all displayed on the chart in a style that makes it quick to understand what is required.

How to Use Our Seating Chart Template to Build Your Own Arrangement

The beauty of our wedding table and ceremony seating chart tool, is that once your guest list is ready, you can simply import it onto our template. And quickly start placing guests in their correct positions, while dropping and dragging decor elements of your reception or ceremony. When you feel everyone is sitting in their appropriate places, you can simply download your seat map as a PDF. Ready to be sent to your caterer, venue, stationer, or whoever requires your guest seating information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Our Seating Chart Maker

To help you get started with our seating chart tool, we thought we’d share a simple step-by-step guide.

• Upload your Excel guest list  to your private project, or manually add your guests.
• Open our wedding reception seating chart, and  browse the items already on the template .
• Click the ‘edit’ button  to open up the template.
• Click the ‘add element’ button and select straight wall  from the dropdown.
• Give your chart 4 surrounding walls , using the measurements from the floor plan provided by your wedding venue.
• Add any inner walls, columns or dividing walls using the dropdown.
• Place the relevant number of tables  required for your guests.
• Begin adding guests to each table  by clicking the circles with numbers inside, and  selecting a name from your guest list  on the right.
• Drop and drag the tables, and organize them using the ruler tool  and floor plan provided by your venue. Creating an accurate representation of the reception space.
• Decide on where the  dance floor, stage and any large reception decor items  will be.
• Add in miscellaneous decor,  safety points and utilities .
• Download your floor plan as a PDF , including or excluding different presentation options, which can be found in ‘Export Settings’.

Tick off this wedding planning task in your project, and start onto the next!

What is a Wedding Seating Chart?

Creating a seating chart for any kind of event (especially a wedding) makes the whole process of visualizing where guests will be positioned within a space, so much more straightforward. It allows you to take a list of names and turn it into an accurate depiction of how the room will actually look. This graphical representation is almost a must for any large-scale event, especially when organizing a something as grand, and important as a wedding.

Wedding Seating Chart Etiquette

Diplomacy is key when arranging wedding guests for a reception, or ceremony. Not all guests will know, get on with, or even like each other! Which is why it’s critical to think clearly, and carefully, about where each guest will be seated. Otherwise, you may end up with little pockets of anarchy, rather than a room full of celebrations!

Beyond dealing with any tricky relationships, it’s wise to consider family first when seating guests. For instance, yourselves, your parents and your partner’s parents should share a table at the reception, unless you opt for a sweetheart table for just the two of you.

Grandparents, siblings not in the wedding party, and the officiant and their spouse should also join the head table. That is assuming your parents aren’t divorced, which may mean you need to create another ‘head table’, which’ll allow parents to sit apart.

How to Arrange Wedding Guests

If you’re unsure of the personalities, or interests of all your guests, gather your close family together when preparing ideas for your seating layout. As they’ll be able to enlighten you on just what everyone is like. Getting a clear picture of who knows each other, and who will get along, is key to creating a harmonious reception.

A lot of your guests will not know each other well before sitting down together at the reception. This can be discouraging for some, but it often can’t be helped when arranging such a large number of people.

To help guests quickly spark up conversation with one another, consider the work, interests, and ages of loved ones when pairing people together. By thoughtfully matching guests up, you’ll quickly find that on the night they have lots in common. And that’ll hopefully avoid any awkward silences.

If you’re struggling to remember which guest should, or could go with another type of guest, consider starting a color coded system on your invite list. By having a multicolored excel template and a wedding seating chart maker such as ours, that allows you to easily incorporate colors into the template, you’ll be able to quickly match up compatible guests.

How to Organize Wedding Reception Tables

A massive benefit of using a seating scheme, is that it allows you to clearly see which type of table arrangement will work best for your reception. Rectangular and circular are the two most popular table shapes. But there are many others, such as family style, which is great for informal weddings. Or there’s the U shape design, an arrangement that lends itself to intimate celebrations.

Consider thoroughly the type of table arrangement you choose, as it will greatly affect the interactions guests can have with each other.

For instance, round tables are much-loved as they, depending on their size, allow all guests to interact with each other. Whereas rectangular tables, due to their long shape, often create two or more groups of guests. But, this shape of table is perfect if you have a large guest list, as it’ll allow you to fit numerous guests on one table, and not take up too much space within the room.

How to Organize Wedding Ceremony Seating

There are many ways you can configure your wedding ceremony seating chart , but typically the style you select will depend on how formal you want the occasion to be. And importantly, where it’ll be taking place. As some wedding ceremony venues, such as churches, will have set, structured seating in place.

If this is the case, then all you need to worry about is seating guests appropriately within the space. With VIP’s such as parents, grandparents, close family and the wedding party all sitting in the first and second rows. Typically, each family sits on either the left or the right-hand side of the marrying couple.

In the rows after immediate family and the wedding party, sits the rest of the guests, in order of importance or closeness to the couple. With this in mind, it’s good to use a wedding seating chart when planning your ceremony, as it helps to alleviate any confusion your guests may feel when they arrive. Unsure of exactly where, and which side they should be sitting on.

By having a clearly laid out seat map, you’ll also be able to evenly distribute your loved ones. Something couples often regret not doing when they look back at their pictures, and see big gaps of guests, or uneven spaces.

Organize people ahead of time using a wedding seating chart app or tool, and you’ll find the whole ceremony experience is a lot smoother.

How to Use a Wedding Seating Chart for your Reception

Starting any kind of project with a blank page is typically pretty daunting. Which is why we created our wedding seating chart template. A useful starting off point that shows straight away the types of elements usually included in a wedding reception, and a suggestion as to where guests could be placed. From there you’re free to customize as you wish.

The best place to start when assembling your wedding reception seating chart , is with the layout of your tables and chairs. As the style you choose will determine what else can be placed within the space, while also dictating the guest experience.

When deciding between table shapes, it’s important to reach out to your wedding venue, and request the full layout specifications of the reception space. That way you’ll know how much room you have, not just for tables, but also the dance floor, stage, decor elements etc.

When you’re ready to place guests at their tables, you’ll quickly realize how powerful a wedding seating chart tool can be. A huge advantage of our seating chart maker, in particular, is that it allows you to simply import your guest list spreadsheet from Excel, and then instantly place invitees at their appropriate tables.

Before, or after guests are positioned on the floor plan, you can personalize their avatars to better represent each guests’ individuality. For example, you can highlight the age group each guest is in, such as adult, teen, or infant. Following that, you can signify skin color, gender, and which side of the couple invited them — this final selection automatically gives avatars a signifying color.

Once guests are seated around the tables, and you’re happy with the arrangement, it’s time to place the rest of your decor! With our online wedding seating chart tool, you can drop and drag all the major focal points and elements you’d expect to find at a wedding reception right onto your chart!

To get you started, our template features items most couples would consider standard, such as a dance floor, stage, and restrooms. So all you have to think about is adding the fun stuff! Like smoke machines, DJ booths and your cake table!

Why a Wedding Seating Chart is Such a Useful Tool

Every guest is different, and when planning a wedding with lots of loved ones, that can lead to confusion. Food choices and intolerances are the perfect example, as each of your guests will likely need to choose their main course and could potentially be allergic to something on the menu. This information is vital for those in your catering team, and should be presented in a style that can be understood quickly by them.

By having a clear seating scheme for your reception, with all the important information about each guest clearly visible, the organization of your wedding will run a lot smoother than without.

Moreover, by utilizing the seating chart, it becomes effortless to create table seating cards for each layout's table. Afterward, you can produce an attractive grid of cards and display them on the wall, aiding guests in finding their designated places with ease.

This is an example of how the final result will look.

Table numbers will be automatically generated based on the table layout, and of course you can customize design.

Name cards are also automatically generated based on the seating layout.

With our free wedding seating chart template, you can quickly and easily download your finished board using whichever details you need it to feature. Meaning, individual seating charts can be created for each of your respective vendors. Eliminating any confusion between them.

The Benefits of an Online Wedding Seating Chart Maker

When planning a wedding, at the very least, there will be two people organizing things (hopefully!). But typically, a wedding is not simply planned by the marrying couple. Mom, Dad, best friends, brothers, and sisters are all usually drafted onto the big day team to help in some way.

What’s great about using an online wedding seating chart, such as ours, is that everyone can share their input in real-time.

Wedding Planning Assistant is an online, cloud-based tool that helps couples plan every aspect of their celebration, not just their seating arrangement. From creating a free wedding website, to organizing a checklist and preparing place cards – you can do it all on our site, for free!

Each member of your wedding team, including planners and vendors, can be provided access to your online project. Anyone can get involved, whenever and wherever works best for them. Helping you to throw the best wedding ever!

When it comes to the seating chart for your wedding, being online, with all the information synchronized in real-time, is a game changer. For instance, whenever there’s an update to your guest list, anyone on your team will instantly be able to see it.

Maybe Mom has finally got an RSVP from your cousin in London, and has now found out she’s gone vegan. Mom can easily update that guests’ RSVP status, adding in her dietary requirements and potentially the meal choice too.

Having a wedding seating chart that’s online and instantly updatable by your whole team, stops anything being forgotten, and helps everyone stay on the same page, at all times. Key when trying to organize such a large group of people, each with needs and desires.

Ensure that Everything Fits in the Room Without Estimating

Experimenting with a seating chart, placing guests around tables and dropping elements of decor is fun. But without real-world measurements, there’s no way of knowing if your table design will actually fit within the space. Which would be a disaster!

Thankfully, our wedding seating chart tool allows you to easily, and accurately construct a scaled down version of your reception room. While also giving you the ability to precisely measure just how far each element (table, stage, large piece of decor) actually is from one another.

Then, once you’ve mapped out exactly where everything should be, there’s no need to worry about scaling your wedding table seating chart to fit on a poster board. Because our tool will automatically scale your plan to fit on either a portrait or landscape A1 page. The perfect size for your caterers, planners, venue or yourselves to print it out on .

All the key information will be visible, and you’ll get a clear feel for how the space will actually look.

Export Your Wedding Seating Chart Template to Excel

To serve your wedding guests successfully, your vendors will need as much information as possible, and have it displayed in a format that works for them. Usually, a wedding seating chart will work perfectly for them, as it’ll allow them to explore the room and get a fantastic overview of your guests.

But occasionally, it’s more useful for vendors to scan through a list of your guests, and filter out the information they require. And that’s precisely what our wedding seating chart template can do, with its export to Excel function via your guest list! This straightforward to use tool allows you to download your full list of guests, with all the information clearly laid out in pre-formatted columns.

Your caterer will love how easy it is to access the information they need about each of your guests, and it’ll (almost) eliminate any possibility of mistakes in service. But it’s not only your caterer who will benefit greatly from having your wedding seating chart template exported to Excel . Your planner, coordinator, and your wedding stationers will all do better at their jobs with this function.

Create Your Wedding Seating Chart Poster in No Time

Couples typically find piecing together their guest list and the seating assignment the most time-consuming, and arduous tasks during wedding planning. And we understand why! It’s hard to pick and choose who, and who not to invite to your wedding. But this painful task has to be done. And while we can’t make the job emotionally easier to deal with, we can make its operation, and subsequent application onto the seating chart, seamless.

From the moment you receive your first RSVP, to exporting the finished floor plan, you’ll wonder how else you could’ve got the job done. Couples often start their reception, and potentially wedding ceremony seating chart roughly 3 weeks before the big day. Once all the RSVP’s have been received.

By hand, pen on paper, this task can take days. And involve countless do-overs, scribbling out and frustrated nights. But when putting together a wedding seating chart using an online tool, you remove all of that stress.

Suddenly, late RSVPs can be easily dropped and dragged into position. Table configurations can be altered at the click of a button, and you’ll instantly get a full picture of how your reception, or ceremony will look as soon as your guest list is uploaded.

Every guests’ icon can be quickly customized to represent their gender, race, or age bracket. While color coding is also available, allowing you to easily mark people according to their jobs, interests, or personality type. A huge advantage when attempting to pair up single guests, or create a harmonious table.

The entire process of using our wedding seating chart maker has been designed to be accessible. Easy for all to use. Meaning, no matter your experience level with online tools, you’ll be able to create a professional wedding seating chart board in much less time than it would to piece it together on paper, DIY style. And when planning a wedding, if any task can be made easier or quicker, that’s a massive plus!

Professional Seating Chart App Designed for Couples & Vendors

All the tools available on Wedding Planning Assistant have been designed thoughtfully, with both engaged couples, and professional vendors in mind.

Created to be useful to those busy planning their big day, in need of templates to help them work out their budget, or somewhere simple to build a wedding website.

While also being invaluable to wedding professionals who require a space to create a seat map, find other vendors and share their work with clients.

Sharing is a key part of why couples love creating not just their wedding seating chart with us, but many of the other vital parts involved in planning a big day. Because our platform has been designed to be collaborative. A place to build something together, with family, friends, but also wedding professionals.

If you’re at the very beginning stages of wedding planning, and you’ve recently hired a planner, or coordinator to help you put things together. You’ll understand how vital communication is when trying to keep things on schedule. Without regular check-in’s and confirmations, things can get forgotten, and a once well-planned timeline can begin to slide.

Avoid over-running your schedule, and always be up-to-date with what your planner is doing, by creating a project together on Wedding Planning Assistant. And our wedding seating chart app offers the perfect example for why you should.

This task in particular is typically completed within the final stages of wedding planning, and the process usually goes through many iterations before it’s ready. These last couple of weeks are frequently a stressful time for couples, with guests often sending RSVPs back at different times, dropping out last minute, or suddenly requesting special requirements. It’s a lot to deal with and can be hard to keep track, especially when you have a planner or coordinator who also needs updating.

Source: video example how to create seating chart

By using our online wedding table seating chart , you’ll be able to keep your whole team in the loop, including professionals, at all times. As soon as someone confirms their attendance, you or your planner can place them in the appropriate place on the seating scheme. Along with their unique set of requirements. Nobody skips a beat, nothing gets forgotten.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Our wedding seating chart is an incredible reference to have when wedding planning, and your vendors will love its usability. But on the day, your guests will need something that’ll show them where their seats are. And there are so many ways you can present your reception plan that’ll not only coordinate nicely with your theme, but also delight your guests.

After only a quick Google search for wedding seating chart ideas , we’re sure you’ll discover a limitless amount of inspiration for your reception, or ceremony. And that’s without even looking at Pinterest! Having such a wealth of decor ideas at your fingertips can be a massive bonus when trying to find the perfect look. But it can also become a little confusing.

Our advice is to start, and concentrate on functionality. First and foremost, your wedding seating chart is there to direct guests to their place. It needs to be clear, obvious and enable loved ones to find their name and corresponding table in seconds. If not, you may end up with a lot of confused guests and a bit of a bottleneck, as people desperately try to find their name on the board .

Typically, the best way to avoid having lost guests is to simply list out your tables in numerical order, with the names of each guest under their corresponding table number. Whether you’ve got three tables or twenty tables, this system works. As does listing guests alphabetically, alongside their table number.

As long as the sign is big enough, and the font is clear. An A1 size board is typically a good size, but it will depend on your space and the number of tables/guests.

Once you’ve formatted the reception plan, found a font that works and maybe added a background or floral element. It’s time to find a pretty frame, an easel, and set it up somewhere guests will spot it easily.

Floor plan creator

Seating plan, seating arrangement, seating diagram, seating layout, seating scheme, seating assignment, seating chart generator, digital seating chart, electronic seating arrangement, seating chart builder.

Build your wedding seating chart effortlessly with our intuitive wedding seating chart builder.

The Wedding seating chart builder , along with all the accompanying tools on the Wedding Planning Assistant, have been meticulously designed to cater to the needs of engaged couples and professional vendors alike.

The seating chart builder empowers you to effortlessly create and customize your wedding seating chart. This intuitive tool provides a user-friendly interface where you can easily drag and drop tables, arrange seats, and assign guests with just a few clicks. With the seating chart builder , you have the flexibility to experiment with different layouts, seating arrangements, and guest assignments until you achieve the perfect seating plan for your special day. Simplify the process of designing your seating chart and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for your wedding guests with this powerful tool.

The floor plan creator is an essential tool that allows you to visualize and design the layout of your wedding venue. With this innovative tool, you can easily map out the arrangement of tables, dance floor, decorations, and other elements to create a comprehensive floor plan that aligns perfectly with your vision.

Crafting a well-organized seating plan is crucial for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for your wedding guests. The seating plan tool enables you to assign guests to specific tables, strategically grouping them based on relationships, preferences, or any other criteria you choose. With this tool, you can easily create a seating plan that maximizes comfort, interaction, and overall guest satisfaction.

The seating arrangement feature allows you to arrange individual seats within each table of your wedding reception. With this tool, you can precisely position and assign seats to ensure optimal seating arrangements for your guests. Whether you prefer a traditional or alternative seating arrangement , this tool provides the flexibility to accommodate your unique preferences and guest dynamics.

Visualize your wedding seating arrangements with ease using the seating diagram tool. This tool generates a clear and comprehensive diagram that illustrates the seating layout of your venue. It helps you visualize the relationships between tables, seating positions, and the overall flow of your reception space, ensuring that every guest has a designated place in your seating plan.

The seat chart tool assists you in creating a detailed chart that displays the seating positions of individual guests at each table. This tool allows you to assign specific seats to guests, providing a precise and organized representation of your seating plan. Utilize the seat chart tool to efficiently manage guest seating and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.

With the seat map tool , you can generate an interactive map that showcases the seating arrangement in your wedding venue. This tool allows you to view the layout of tables, designated seating positions, and even provides additional information about each seat if desired. Use the seat map to assist guests in locating their assigned seats easily and efficiently navigate your reception space.

Designing the perfect seating layout is made effortless with the seating layout tool. This feature enables you to create a visual representation of your desired seating arrangement , illustrating the arrangement of tables, chairs, and any additional elements. With this tool, you can experiment with different seating configurations until you achieve the ideal layout for your wedding reception.

The seating scheme tool provides a systematic approach to planning your wedding seating arrangements. With this feature, you can organize and allocate guests to tables, ensuring a harmonious blend of relationships and preferences. The seating scheme tool offers flexibility and efficiency in creating a well-balanced and enjoyable seating plan for your special day.

Efficiently manage guest seating assignments with the seating assignment tool. This tool enables you to assign specific guests to designated seats or tables, ensuring a personalized and organized seating plan. With the seating assignment feature, you can effortlessly accommodate individual preferences, relationships, or any other criteria to create a memorable and enjoyable seating arrangement for your wedding guests.

The seating chart generator is a dynamic tool that effortlessly creates personalized seating charts for your wedding or event. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly input guest information, designate table layouts, and optimize seating arrangements. Whether you prefer traditional or unique seating styles, the seating chart generator allows you to experiment and refine until you achieve the perfect arrangement. Save time and eliminate stress as this powerful tool streamlines the seating planning process, ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable experience for your guests. Create a seamless seating chart with ease using the seating chart generator , and make your special occasion truly memorable.

A digital seating chart refers to a virtual or electronic representation of the seating arrangement for an event, such as a wedding, conference, or performance. Instead of using traditional paper charts or physical table layouts, a digital seating chart is created and managed using software or online tools.

Overall, a digital seating chart streamlines the process of planning and organizing seating arrangements, making it more flexible, efficient, and convenient for event organizers and attendees alike.

An electronic seating arrangement , also known as a digital seating plan or electronic seating chart, refers to the use of technology to create, manage, and organize the seating layout for events, gatherings, or venues. Instead of using traditional paper-based seating charts or physical diagrams, an electronic seating arrangement is created and manipulated using software, applications, or online tools.

Electronic seating arrangements are particularly useful for events with large numbers of attendees, such as weddings, conferences, banquets, and performances. They offer a modern and efficient way to manage seating logistics and enhance the overall event planning experience.

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Andy Hammond

Wedding expert and writer working for wedding industry

Uncover other relevant topics that are associated with the seating chart

The online Wedding Planning Assistant comprises a comprehensive collection of professional tools designed to assist you in independently organizing your celebration seating chart.

We offer an international wedding planner service , open to all. Soon we hope to make our software available in all languages, so far, we have created versions for these languages:

Explore more wedding ideas & advice

Wedding Seating Chart

Free printable and editable wedding seating chart templates to plan the seating arrangements for a wedding or any big event.

Before you can create a setting chart, you will need to create a guest list . We offer a free guest list template that will help you keep track of who is coming, where each person will sit and other important information such as special meals that will need to be provided, etc. For more wedding planners see how to plan a wedding .

Wedding Seating Chart Template

A wedding reception seating chart ensures that each table is filled to maximum capacity. It also ensures that guests will be seated with their spouses, friends, or family when possible.

Once you have allocated each guest a seat at one of the tables you can prepare a wedding seating chart sign or poster. Place this sign at the entrance so that guests can check where they will be seated. There are three versions of this sign for 10, 8 and 6 people per table.

Decide on the shape of your table. There are four table shapes: round, rectangle, oval, and square. Select a wedding table seating chart for 4, 6, 8 or 10 people per table.

We also offer a wedding seating chart maker that seats people according to the wedding guest list. Once someone has RSVP’d they will automatically appear in the wedding table seating chart. On this chart, you can select the table number and dietary preferences for each guest (see below).

Seating Chart Templates

How to make a wedding seating chart?

• Select a template in Powerpoint, Word, Excel, or PDF format.
• Choose the number of people at each table and the table shape.
• Use your guest list to see who will be attending and if they have any dietary preferences.
• Seat each guest at a table by typing or writing a name in each place.

The following templates offer a chart view of your seating arrangements. We also offer a list view below.

Round Table Seating Chart

10 People Per Table – Round Table

Powerpoint | Typeable PDF | Image

The PDFs are typeable and allow you to easily enter your guests’ names directly, without requiring any additional software. Just click on the PDF and start typing the names.

8 People Per Table – Round Table

6 People Per Table – Round Table

Rectangle Table Seating Chart

10 People Per Table – Rectangle Table

8 People Per Table – Rectangle Table

6 People Per Table – Rectangle Table

12 People Per Table – Rectangle Table

Square Table Seating Chart

Seating Chart Wedding

There are two types of lists with your wedding seating arrangements. A blank list that you can type on or a pretty list that you can display at your wedding reception. There are many wedding seating chart ideas but you can customize your list to match your wedding theme and table layout.

Custom Seating Chart for Wedding

Choose any border, edit the text, change the fonts, and customize these seating charts.

Simple Table Seating Layout List

10 People Per Table

Word | Typeable PDF | Image

8 People Per Table

6 People Per Table

Seating Chart Maker

Table assignments at a wedding can be a stressful task. This Excel seating chart template will make it easy to create the perfect seating arrangement. It will take your guest list and help you create a table plan. The spreadsheet has five tabs. The first one explains what you need to do step by step to create your table plan.

Fill out the wedding guest list worksheet. Add the list of guests you plan to invite. Keep updating the list once you send out invitations, once the guests RSVP, etc. Once that you update the spreadsheet that guests have confirmed they will be attending, they will automatically be listed on the “RSVP Table Selection” worksheet. In the “RSVP Table Selection” worksheet, choose a table for each guest (from 1 up to 20). The “Table Selection” worksheet will show the final table plan for all tables.

The budget tab will show you how much your wedding will cost according to the cost per person and the number of people who will be attending. It also includes a breakdown of the bride’s guests and the groom’s guests if you want to know how it breaks down. If not, delete that section.

You can keep updating the wedding guest list with all the relevant information you need. The spreadsheet has a section to record the number of people invited, the number of people attending, the gifts received, whether or not a thank you card was sent, if the guest is from the bride or the groom’s side, and each guest’s food preference. For food preference, there are 8 built-in options: no preference, vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, gluten-free, dairy-free, and others.

Wedding Seating Arrangements

• When organizing the wedding seating plan, you will usually seat all parents and grandparents at the same table. Siblings usually also sit at this table if they are not part of the wedding party.
• Try to categorize people by group. Have a work friends table, a college friends table, extended family, etc. Make a table for your wedding party and their dates.
• If your parents are inviting guests, you can ask them to seat their friends at the tables allocated to them.
• If you have invited a lot of kids, then consider a kids’ table. It will enable their parents to enjoy themselves more and it will be more fun for the kids. You can put activities for them to enjoy on the table such as coloring pages, etc. You might even want to hire a babysitter to be in charge of the kids’ table. It will be a spoil for adults with young children who will get to enjoy the wedding without worrying about their kids all night.
• Try to seat the older people as far away from the speakers as you can.

4 thoughts on “Wedding Seating Chart”

The excel file is amazing, but we were hoping to have 12 guests at a table, but the limit is 10. Is there a way to expand it to 12 guests per table? Otherwise, thank you so much for changing

I’ll try to make that change.

anyway there can be a 12 seater rectangle layout ? i used your template for another wedding and it was soo helpful ! this wedding is just a bit bigger

I added this for you.

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In This Article

• Wedding Reception Seating Chart For All Types Wedding Themes

Wedding Reception Seating Chart Tips And Etiquette

• Wedding Party & Reception

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For 2024 With Examples

Unless you’ve already planned a bunch of weddings it’s easy to underestimate how much of an impact your wedding seating chart can make to your reception. If you’re the type of person who likes a challenge, you’re going to have fun balancing making room for all your guests, allowing natural flow through the room, making it easy for your guests to identify their assigned space, and making the wedding reception seating chart match your theme.

Read on for seating chart basics and creative guidance for all types of wedding themes.

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How do I make a seating chart for a wedding?

To make a seating chart for a wedding, create a list of guests and assign tables based on relationships and interests. Then, use creative displays like vintage frames or natural elements to showcase seating assignments.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For All Wedding Themes

When designing your seating charts, borrow queues from the immediate area just like these wedding seating chart examples.

Wedding Reception Seating Chart For Country Wedding

liliaflowerboutique via instagram

blossombaydesign via Instagram

The first piece of advice is to create a wedding seating chart poster that’s front and center for all your guests to see. Make your table cards equally accessible. For a country-themed reception seating stick with the definitions. Rural, unfinished, and specific to the area are the calling cards of the country style.

• Burned text on raw local wood. Find a large plank of gorgeously textured wood and write out the names and assignments using a wood-burning kit.
• Stretched leather and black ink. You don’t have to skin a hide yourself, but a large unfinished pelt will seem as though it came from the farm next door. Creating a wooden frame and handwriting names and assignments are a perfect DIY wedding seating chart project.
• Even destination weddings can indulge in a country theme since it’s defined as drawing from the local heritage. A Hawaiian ceremony, for example, can feature a transparent plexiglass box (where the writing sits) filled with luminous volcanic rock. Accompany this by table charts made from stone statues of Laka – the Hawaiian goddess of love.

Get your DIY materials here:

• Leather Pelt: Bed Bath & Beyond
• Live Edge Pine Slab: Lowes
• Volcanic Rock: Amazon
• Fibreglass Casing: Bed Bath & Beyond

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Seating Chart For Stylish Chic Wedding

designmill_co via Instagram

phuket_wedding_planner via Instagram

Next up in our series of wedding seating chart tips is to make a firm decision about the shape of your table and how many guests will be at each table.

Knowing how many people are sitting at each table really helps you plan where to seat your guests. If it’s a chic wedding theme you’re after, consider more tables and smaller groups so that conversations can be a bit more intimate.

Chic and stylish are a beautiful combination of trendy and trendsetting. Typically chic designs use time-tested elements with unique and creative spins, just like these table setting chart examples.

• Print your seating assignments on a sheet of metal like brushed aluminum or copper and set it on a delicate artist’s easel.
• Instead of one giant seating chart, choose an elegant frame for each table and hang them next to each other in an artistic arrangement.
• Many chic wedding themes feature generous use of lighting. Blend in your wedding seating chart decor by feature a plain, clean text backlight by LEDs.

Buy materials:

• Brushed Aluminum Sheet: China aluminum metal
• LED String Lights: Wish

Modern Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

The next step to creating successful wedding seating charts is to priorities your VIPs. You want your biggest fans as close as possible, which include both sets of parents, grandparents, and siblings. You also want your bridal party and their dates to sit nice and close too. Once you’ve coordinated their seats you can start to plan around them.

Modern wedding seating chart ideas take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. It can be something as simple as a wide board with your choice of fonts, or an everyday item artfully repurposed.

• Rent an oversized touchscreen or use a tablet that you already own. Simply have your guests type in their name which populates a screen showing an image of their table and highlights their seat. If you can spring for it, opt for facial recognition so that your guests can skip the name typing.
• For an outdoor wedding reception, set up a mock indoor space complete with an armchair, throw rug, and a bookshelf to house your seating plan.
• Use a printed map and name your tables as a state. For example, mom and dad will be assigned to the New York table while cousin Jesse and the party will be seated at the Chicago table.

Buy supplies:

• TouchScreen Rental: Oneworldrental
• Furniture Rental: EasyHome.com
• Printed Map: MapShop.com

Beach Wedding Seating Chart Examples

Once you have your VIPs seated, start filling the tables behind them. This is much easier if you break them into groups – distant relatives, work friends, etc.. – and ask your trusted advisors for some help. Making sure that everyone has a great seat and that each table has a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances is much easier as a group.

A beach wedding has the flexibility of being traditional, wild, and crazy, or anything in between. Whatever your choice of themes, it’s best to borrow from your surroundings.

• Stick a surfboard in the sand and write out your arrangements. It’ll be easy enough to find one that matches your color scheme.
• Adorn an arch with as many local plants and flowers as you can, and hang your table arrangements from a delicate string. This will look beautiful and natural as it flutters in the breeze.
• Write your wedding seating chart details in white on top of a slab of glass that sits on a thick wooden base. This looks natural by itself, but also allows it to blend in with natural surroundings.

Find materials here:

• Surfboard: surfstationstore.com
• Wicker Arch: Wayfair
• Glass Slab: fabglassandmirror

Vintage Seating Chart Ideas

heatherbengeofficial via Instagram

mymagicdreams via Instagram

Once your guests have found their tables, make it easy for them to confirm their seats with easy-to-find, easy-to-read Table Cards. These can be mini versions of the larger seating charts that you have out front. Or, they can be their own design so that it fits the table better. If you’re going this route, make sure that they integrate with your overall theme.

Vintage seating charts only work if you’re planning a wedding that draws from a specific era or decade. If this is your wedding theme of choice, you can have a lot of fun with your seating chart.

• Use an old window frame
• Use an old vintage suitcase. Open it up, stand it on its side, and decorate the inside.
• Find an old piece of wood and mount vintage kitchen knobs or vintage keys to hand the seating arrangements from.

For authenticity and the best bargain, head to your local thrift or antique store.

Whimsical Wedding Seating Chart

pasion_eventos via Instagram

Now that everyone has their seat, it’s time to think about Name Tags. Some think name tags are lame – you’re excused if you fit into that group – but a lot of your guests won’t know each other, and this is a really non-abrasive way to break the ice.

If your theme and design allow for it, try to make your table cards double as name tags your guests can pin to their tops.

A whimsical wedding theme is exactly how it sounds – a plunge into the odd and unexpected. Match your wedding seating chart template to your wedding theme by creating something eccentrically amusing.

• Indoor wedding? Bring a live tree inside and dangle the seating arrangements from the branches. This will look fantastic and force your guests to interact with the decor by poking through it to find their names and places.
• Create a wall of wine by mounting wine glasses to a garden wall. The glasses can either be stuffed with paper that carries seating instructions, or the glasses can be full of your best chardonnay with a label hanging from it.
• Fill balloons with helium and let them dance in the air as seating assignments dangle from each string. Not only will this force your guests’ eyes upwards to take in the entire venue, but the splash of color also makes for excellent wedding photos.

Get the stuff here:

• Decorative Tree: Wayfair
• Wine Glass Rack: Wayfair
• Bunch of Balloons: BargainBalloons

Seating Chart For Rustic Wedding

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

When creating your wedding seating chart make sure it’s at the front end of your wedding reception timeline . The first thing your guests should be doing is finding their seats, getting settled, and then socializing. Otherwise, you’ll have friends and family wandering around for far too long which throws off your speech, dance, and other timing.

Rustic weddings are fun to plan for. Use the same aesthetics in your wedding seating chart etiquette as you do for the rest of your ceremony and reception. Favor simplicity over beauty, and be proud of nature and Southern values.

• Repurposed pallets can be stood on their end and decorated with plants. Wood and greenery go great with the rustic look.
• Hang Horseshoes with attached seating tags from some weathered nails. This can be hung from a wall, but it’s best if you erect something temporary so that you’re not damaging anything.
• Write names and seating arrangements on the Old Door that’s placed front and center of your reception area entrance. This should blend into the “old barn” feel that you’ve established.

Get materials here:

• Wood Pallet: Businesses are constantly paying to get rid of these. Make a few calls and you can get one for free.
• Vintage Horseshoes: Etsy
• Old Door: Wayfair

Amazing Boho Seating Chart Ideas

jasmine_brida via Instagram

That’s all for how to do a wedding seating chart, but we have plenty more examples and resources for different styles and themes. Keep clicking or swiping to find the inspiration you need for your wedding seating charts.

The bohemian wedding style forms a firm connection with nature and draws from the hippy lifestyle of the 1960s.

• Adorn a Chalkboard with lace and other boho cues to create a simple yet elegant seating chart.
• Simulate the quintessential boho garland headpiece by decorating a Hula Hoop with feathers and flowers, and stringing the seating arrangements through its center.
• Stretch natural Burlap fabric over a base with alphabetized seating arrangements for a clean and simple design. For extra flavor, create a lace border.

Find DIY materials:

Seating Chart For Casual Wedding

jasmine_bridal via Instagram

Many couples choose to forego the glitz and glamor either to save a few dollars or to separate themselves from the fuss. Gowns, suits, menus, and decor are simplified in order to focus on the ceremony, the couple, and the company. These 3 wedding seating charts follow suit.

• Cut out the first letters of the bride and groom’s name. Post the bride’s guests’ info in her letter and do the same for the groom.
• Find the plainest Sign that you can. This can be a simple whiteboard atop a simple artist’s easel or posted on an easy-to-find wall.
• Make use of one of the most practical household items; a Corkboard. Pin your seating assignments and allow your guests to find their tables with ease.

Things to buy:

• Cut-out Letters: Amazon
• Plain Sign: Wayfair
• Corkboard: ULINE

Art-Deco Seating Charts

shawnayamamoto via Instagram

goodseedfloral via Instagram

If you’re not familiar with Art-Deco, think Great Gatsby. The style that swept Western design through the ’20s and ’30s is defined by strong geometric patterns and bold, contrasting colors. Use this style for your wedding theme for unmistakable decor.

• Create a simple board, but in the characteristic Gold and Black theme with art-deco fonts to match. Or, go with a classic Art-Deco print and write on top of that.
• Create a Geometric Archway where your guests will find their seating arrangements strung from.
• Collect 6-8 frames and paint them calling-card Gold to create one giant assemblage of frames.

Supplies for your theme:

• Art Deco Printed Board: Wayfair
• Art Deco Archway: Amazon
• Painted Frames: Indigo

Eco-Friendly Wedding Seating Chart

Eco-friendly is a way of life, not just a design theme. If this sounds like you, your decor of choice will have to have a 0-waste policy and should have some connection with nature.

• Burn your guests’ names and details into the ends of Wood Logs. This looks great, easy to find, easy to read, and when you’re done you can create a lovely bonfire to sit around.
• Etched Stones make a beautiful eco-friendly wedding seating chart. It’s best if you can find large stones that are naturally polished, they’re much easier to read than small rough stones.
• Reclaimed and Reused is just as good as zero-waste sometimes, which makes an Open Ladder a perfect seating chart option. Choose a few rungs at eye level to represent a table.

The great thing about eco-friendly designs, they’re mostly free! As long as you have a saw, wood logs are mother nature’s gift. The same goes with stones, and it’s very likely you already have access to an old ladder. Put a little time and effort into these little projects and they’ll look like a million bucks.

DIY Wedding Seating Chart

joyproctor via Instagram

Some couples prefer DIY to save a few dollars, and some feel a sense of genuine pride working as a team and completing a project. Whichever version describes you, these 3 wedding seating chart examples are gorgeous, easy, and low-cost.

• Write your guests’ details on a ьirror. Try to make sure the frame matches your theme, and make sure to practice your calligraphy before attempting the final product.
• Choose an assortment of Planters and hand-craft your guests’ cards to sit inside like feeding instructions. Take it a step further by creating homemade shelves or platforms for them to sit on, or create a giant planter that sits on the ground.
• Create a lattice wedding seating chart where simple cards sit in a nice arrangement. This is great for outdoor, rustic, and casual-themed weddings.
• Mirror: Bouclair
• Planters: Walmart
• Lattice: Wayfair

missstellayork via Instagram

To make your life simple and your wedding seating charts a great success, just follow the advice we listed above.

• Choose your overall wedding theme first, your charts and cards should match.
• Create your entire guest list so you know how many people you have to accommodate, then decide on a table shape/size so you know how many guests a single table can handle.
• Place your VIPs upfront, and break the rest of your tables into groups to make their experience social and fun.
• Make sure your seating chart is immediately visible when your guests enter the venue so they don’t have to walk around looking for it. Place table cards at their seats so they can confirm they have it right.
• Work your seating chart into your overall wedding timeline and budget so you know what you can afford and have enough time to do it right.

Like everything else on your wedding planning to-do list, a wedding seating chart becomes simple and beautiful if you put in a little research and planning ahead of time. We hope that these samples triggered your imagination and that our guidance inspires you to create the wedding of your dreams.

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How to Make a Wedding Seating Chart (Without Stressing Out)

Kayla is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com.

Some wedding-planning tasks are easier to cross off your list than others—but even the more difficult tasks can be done with minimal stress. Take making a seating chart for your wedding, for example. Many find arranging their guests among their wedding's reception tables to be a total headache, but it doesn't have to be that way. We're here to walk you through exactly how to make a wedding seating chart.

First things first: Start devising your wedding seating plan about two to three weeks before the big day , once you've (hopefully) heard back from everybody you've invited. To begin, you'll need to scour your RSVPs and figure out who's actually coming (which is who you need to seat). Once you have that list, you'll also need to decide on a wedding seating layout—what types of tables do you want to have and how are you going to arrange them in your reception space? If you're struggling to answer these questions yourselves, you can always consult your wedding planner. You can also turn to other factors, like your budget and venue, to figure out what makes the most sense in terms of furniture rentals and the like.

From there, you'll settle on where to place each person. Unfortunately, there's no steadfast approach for deciding who gets what chair, but the following tips will help you navigate a handful of situations. (Remember: You can always assign guests a particular table instead of a specific seat if that makes it easier!)

Choose Your Table Shape

Once your guest list is finalized, you'll need to determine how many tables you'll need and how many people will be seated at each one. Keep in mind that shape plays an important role. While rectangular ones make it easier for guests to chat, round tables might be simpler for you to sort (you'll only need to pay mind to who's sitting directly next to one another).

Put Pen to Paper

It's helpful to literally map out your seating chart. You can laminate pieces of paper printed with table shapes that you can label with dry erase markers, or you can use an online tool like All Seated . If you prefer color coordinating, divide your guest list into categories arranged by color (your college friends might be represented with pink, his in blue, and family in yellow, for example) and write out everyone's names on the appropriate colored Post-it flag. Then, arrange—and rearrange—them on photocopied outlines of your table arrangements.

Seat the Two of You First

Since it's your big day, your table should be centrally located. Typically, you'll sit at a table by yourselves with your wedding party or with your parents and a few close relatives and friends. You also have the option of sitting at a sweetheart table, which is reserved for just the couple of the hour.

Then Seat Your Wedding Party

Depending on the size of your wedding party—and how many of them invited plus-ones—you can seat everyone together at one long head table, or divide the group among several tables that are situated near you and the groom.

Put Family First

After you seat yourselves, place your parents somewhere close (unless they're sitting with you). Unlike the ceremony, where the groom's and bride's sides traditionally sit separately, at the reception, you can mix things up and seat everyone together.

Ask Your Parents for Help

Odds are that you don't know every one of your parents' friends as well as they do. Include them in the process by giving them a say as to where their friends should be seated.

Find Common Ground

When seating remaining guests, put people who know each other together instead of intentionally trying to mix things up. That said, when placing people who may not know each other at one table, consider their life experiences and interests. If you know your best friend, Rachel, is a hardcore hockey fan, you might seat her next to John, who played in college. Your ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere where your guests can have fun.

Avoid a Singles' Table

Although love is in the air, don't be tempted to play matchmaker and seat all of the single guests together. Instead, intersperse single guests among couples, focusing on common interests, not relationship status.

Bring Children Together

Kids like being around other kids, so a kid's table, and similarly, one for teenage guests, is a good way for everyone to have some fun, parents included!

Practice Sensitivity

In terms of table placement, consider your guests' specific needs. Grandparents will likely have a better time in a well-lit area away from the band and speakers within view of the dance floor, but not in the thick of it.

Get Creative With Table Assignments

Once you finally settle on seating assignments (phew!), use the seating chart and table numbers as opportunities to get personal. Whatever their form, arrange your guests' names in alphabetical order with legible table assignments in a format that will guide guests to their seats smoothly.

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Wedding Planning Guide

How to create your wedding seating chart.

Everything you need to know about wedding seating chart etiquette and how to seat your guests at the reception.

• How to Create

By Minted | Last Updated: March 14, 2024

Congratulations on making it this far! You must have sent out your save the date cards and your elegant wedding invitations , checked and rechecked your budget spreadsheet, updated the details on your wedding website and so much more. You should be proud of yourself. While letting the guests’ responses trickle in, you can start thinking about the seating chart.

Creating a wedding seating chart may feel like a quick and easy task, but finding the right spot for each guest and a table arrangement that works well for your venue can be surprisingly time-consuming. In this article, we'll try to help clear up some wedding seating chart confusion and provide you with some tips to make this aspect of event planning a breeze!

Seating chart: "Someone Like You" by Design Lotus

How To Create Your Wedding Seating Chart

1. seat yourselves.

You and your new spouse will be the center of attention all evening, so seat yourselves in a central location where all your guests can see you. This is the first wedding seating chart etiquette to note.

One option would be to sit at a table with your wedding-party members (often called the "head table"), with your seats in the middle. Or, you could sit with your parents and let that be the head table, with the wedding party scattered at different tables with their dates.

Another popular option is to sit with your new spouse at a table reserved for just the two of you. This arrangement is often called a "sweetheart table."

Photo: Lauren Gabrielle

2. Seat the Wedding Party

Figuring out where to seat your wedding party members depends on how big your entourage is and how many of them attended the wedding with dates. Depending on your wedding party's size, one option would be to place all members at a long head table with the newlyweds positioned in the middle (as described in the previous step).

A drawback of this seating arrangement is that attendants' dates and spouses will have to sit at separate tables, which might not be ideal (separating dates and partners is never a good idea). A more preferred option would be to place wedding-party members at several VIP dinner tables near you and your new spouse.

Do you want to seat your guests based on how you know them or according to their interests? There is nothing wrong with placing your bridesmaids and groomsmen at tables with other guests around the reception. They'll have spent the first part of the day together, so it will be great for them to socialize with others.

3. Seat Parents and Grandparents

Wedding seating chart etiquette states that you and your partner's parents will share a table at the reception, along with grandparents, siblings not in the wedding party, and the officiant and their spouse if they're attending the reception. However, if either of you have divorced parents who would prefer to sit separately, a solution would be to have each parent host their own table of close family and friends.

This arrangement could mean up to four parents' tables, depending on your situation. You can also try seating them at the same rectangular table, but at opposite ends. If you're unsure of how to proceed, it's probably best to talk to your parents about what they might prefer before you make your final seating decisions.

4. Make Family Tables

When planning the seating assignments, consider placing geographically spread-out family at a table together. If you or your partner have large families that don't get together often enough, it might make everyone's night to sit together and catch up over food, drinks, and dancing. Family tables are also great for guests with multiple kids.

Photo: Vicki Grafton

5. Make a Kid's Table

Children are much more comfortable around other children (as opposed to adults), so if there will be kids at your wedding, seat them together at a separate kids' table. Provide activities and crafts at their table to keep them occupied. Entertaining the children means their parents can take a break and enjoy the festivities. If your flower girl and ring bearer are the only children present, seat them with their parents.

6. Mix and Match Guests

Weddings are for bringing people together and are the perfect opportunity for you to introduce friends and family who may not have met before. Mixing and matching guests in your arrangements can encourage friendships you've wanted to happen.

A bonus is that they'll already have common ground to bond over; you and your partner! Of course, if you're going to encourage connections even more, you can set out getting-to-know-you games or prompts at each table.

One of our favorite event planning tips is if you aren't sure where to place someone, ask. Do you have no idea where to seat your parents' friends? Let your folks arrange those tables. They'll be happy to be included in the process and to have a say in seating their pals.

Tips on Creating Wedding Seating Charts

1. start early..

Before all the RSVP responses come in, you can find inspiration from wedding blogs, social media, and your vendors for a seating chart design and layout that will fit your theme, colors, and venue.

You'll need to set your RSVP deadline for at least two to three weeks before the wedding. Once you have a better idea of how many guests you will have (and who they will be), you can start using a wedding seating chart website or app like Allseated . This tool is one of our favorite wedding planning services. It allows you to design your wedding layout to scale so you can envision where your guests will sit during your ceremony, or at your wedding reception.

2. Spreadsheets will save your life.

Use a spreadsheet to track RSVPs as they come in. If you are using Minted’s online RSVP on the wedding website , export the list from the website. Next, insert a column into your RSVP spreadsheet categorizing and color-coding all guests by relationship. Color coding is an easy way to visually sort your guest list and break it down into more logical table groupings.

If you work based on the invitation list, don't forget to remove the guests that can't attend from the spreadsheet who can't attend, and make sure to add in plus-ones!

"Love Story" escort cards by Liz Conley Photo: M Place Productions

3. Finalize the reception layout.

Once you have a finalized headcount and the square footage of your dining area, it’s time to start drawing up your layout. Work with your caterer/venue to figure out the most optimal table layout, so guests won’t be bumping into each other and servers can easily cater to each guest. Maximizing the space means guests won't feel crowded, and servers will have enough space to cater to each guest efficiently.

Another consideration is the table shape. Round tables are the standard option. This shape is also the easiest to work with since you'll only need to consider who each guest will sit next to on their right and left sides. Longer rectangular tables take a bit more planning to figure out how to seat guests, as there are guests to the left, right, and across from you.

4. Physically Map Out Wedding Seating.

If you are struggling with settling on a layout or would prefer to plan on paper rather than using a wedding seating chart app or website, physically mapping out your wedding seating using sticky notes on a piece of paper is a great alternative.

You can color code them using the method described above (and start making them as you send out invitations). Pro tip: use scaled paper cut-outs to visualize the tables. This way, you can move everyone around the room as you consider space, photography, and aesthetics.

"Field" table number by Toast & Laurel Photo: Ryan Ray

5. Bring Seating Charts.

The final step is to figure out how you'll tell guests where they're seated. Tented escort cards—individually printed with each guest's name and table number—is a simple way to do it.

Carefully arranged escort cards are a great photography moment, too! Or, you could get creative with more prominent seating-assignment signs or charts. Use your creativity to look for some escort card inspirations .

Arrange guests' names in alphabetical order by last name, so folks can easily find their table assignment. Also, be sure to use a large, readable font, so there's no confusion.

Do you want to ensure that each of your guests gets a nice photo at your wedding? Set up a station with your photographer so guests can collect their cards and have their picture taken before the festivities begin.

Check out our favorite seating chart ideas !

Photo: Jessa Schifilliti

6. Share Your Wedding Seating With Your Vendors.

Event planning can be stressful, but that is why it is critical to work with vendors to help you achieve your goals! Keeping everyone in the loop is essential as you set seating assignments, so be sure to share your wedding seating chart with the vendors working on catering, music, location, and photography. Once you have physically mapped everything out, share it with your team. If you have a physical drawing, take a picture or scan it. If you're using an app or website, you can share the link with your team or invite them to view it with a few clicks.

No one knows the space better than your venue hosts. Ask your venue about what has previously worked in the space, or what definitely won't fit, check with them.

Photo: Jenna Greenawalt Photography

WEDDING SEATING CHART FAQs

Should a seating chart list names alphabetically by guests' first names or last names.

For clarity and ease, it's best to arrange guests’ names in alphabetical order by last name, followed by his or her assigned table number. Resist the urge to group guests by table, that will take guests a very long time to find their name and will result in a bottleneck as guests crowd around to get their table assignment.

Who sits at the head table at a wedding?

The "head table" refers to the table where the newlyweds will be sitting. You could decide to sit with your new spouse at a table just for two, which is sometimes called a "sweetheart table." If you prefer to sit with your guests, you could sit with your wedding-party members (with you and your new spouse positioned in the center) and designate that table as the head table. Or, you could opt to sit with your parents and let that be the head table.

Does the bride sit to the right of the groom?

Traditionally, the bride sits to the right of the groom. However, if you are not worried about keeping things traditional, you and your partner should feel free to sit however you want to! Chances are, you won't be spending too much time seated anyway.

Do the parents of the bride and groom sit together?

This all depends on your family situation, but traditionally, your parents and your partner's parents would share a table at the wedding reception. Additional VIPs would also be seated at the same table, like grandparents, siblings who aren't already in the wedding party, and other close family friends.

However, if your or your partner's parents would prefer to sit separately, then each set of parents could host their own table of close family members and friends; the same applies if your or your partner's parents are divorced—each parent could similarly host their own reception table. But if you're truly stumped about where to seat your parents, it's best to talk with them directly to find out what they would prefer.

Do the bridesmaids and groomsmen sit together?

At many weddings, the wedding party sits together, either at a table with the newlyweds or nearby (this also depends on how big your wedding party is!). In the end, you know your guests best, and there are no hard rules for where everyone should sit.

What's the difference between an escort card and a place card?

These small, tented cards look very similar but serve two different purposes. Escort cards are printed with a wedding guest's name and their table number assignment. This card lets the guest know which table they will be sitting at. Place cards are printed with just the guest's name and indicates which seat at the table has been assigned to them.

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Creative ways to display your escort cards to help direct guests. Read more .

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A comprehensive list of questions to ask a wedding venue. Read more .

WEDDING SEATING CHART IDEAS

Creative ideas and beatiful templates for your wedding seating chart. Read more .

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Tania melendez, february 8, 2025, .css-20q9{overflow-wrap:break-word;width:100%;} schedule, saturday, february 8, 2025.

11:45 am - 2:00 pm

Sat, Feb 8, 2025, 5:30 pm - Sun, Feb 9, 2025, 1:00 am

Wedding Party

Valeria hernandez.

Maid of Honor

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Natalie melendez, helem santendar, berenice lucio, adrian lucio, uriel melendez, erick naranja, andres eloisa.

There is free parking towards the right side of the banquet on Irving Park St.

Dress Code?

The Dress Code is Cocktail/Semi-Formal Attire.

The Seating Arrangement will be assigned by tables.

We have decided to allow kids, but ask families to keep a close eye on them.

The bar will be open from 7:00PM-11:00PM. There will be a couple of bottles lying around for after hours ;)

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A plane passenger was called “incredibly rude” after refusing to move seats for a woman who was desperate to get away from a crying baby.

According to a viral Reddit thread posted this week, the anonymous 34-year-old man was traveling with his wife, 36, from Dublin to Washington, D.C., and were initially assigned a window and a middle seats in economy class.

However, when no one showed up to claim the aisle aisle seat in the same row, the man moved over for more space.

For the first 4.5 hours of the flight, the man claimed “nothing eventful happene.”

Then, a random woman across the aisle approached the couple alongside her friend from the back of the plane. According to the disgruntled Redditor, the woman “announces that her friend would now be taking the middle seat [in between the couple] to get away from a crying baby.”

“She did not ask — she told us this was happening,” he wrote.

The man called over the flight attendant for assistance, who informed both parties that the woman who wanted to move seats needed to take an available aisle spot, “but could not disrupt anyone’s seating arrangements.”

“The woman then starts b—-ing about how I was assigned the middle but then moved to the aisle before takeoff, so I shouldn’t even have that aisle seat,” he continued.

After disappearing to talk to the flight attendant for a few minutes alone, the woman from across the aisle returns to her seat, calls the man a “f—ing a–hole” and informs him that “her friend would not be sitting there – not because she was not allowed to, but because I was so incredibly rude.”

“The only thing I did this entire time was ask to talk to the flight attendant. I did not say anything else to this woman, though I would have liked to,” he continued, asking readers to weigh on whether he was rude for “not volunteering the middle seat mid-flight.”

Debate ensued in the comments on Reddit, with users divided over whether he really was “an a–hole” for refusing to give up the empty seat in his row. While some people dubbed him “entitled,” others said the combative passenger was in the wrong for not politely asking.

Nicole Campoy Jackson, a travel expert, writer and advisor for Fora Travel, told People that asking the flight attendant for help “was the right move.”

“I am always in the camp of getting a flight attendant involved for sticky in-flight situations,” she said.

“Tensions run high when we’re traveling plus they would know, for example, if there was another aisle seat or another solution to this problem. They have more context than we, the passengers, do.”

While Jackson said the man isn’t “entitled to the unoccupied aisle next to him,” since his assigned seat was in the middle,” “the other passenger isn’t entitled to move because of an inconvenience at her seat.” 

“Unlike moving to accommodate someone while you’re still on the ground, when you’re more than halfway through the flight and then asked to move? That is disruptive,” Jackson continued. “I understand why he would have been resistant to the idea.” 

Like many of the Reddit commenters, Jackson believes a polite inquiry and reasoning would have resulted in a different ending for both parties involved.

“The best way to approach this situation would have been to walk over to the man and explain, ‘I’ve been having a difficult flight because of the baby next to me. I know this aisle seat was open before we took off, would it be okay for me to sit here for the rest of the flight?’” she said. 

At the end of the day, “switching seats does always boil down to flexibility, understanding, and kindness of our fellow passengers,” she added.

“That starts with the ask, by the way,” she said. “It also, of course, boils down to what’s possible within the rules of the airline, the safety of where everyone needs to be at a given time, and what’s been paid for.” 

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• How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony How Long Should the Ceremony Last? Tips for Writing the Perfect Program Seating: Who Sits Where? Modern Ways to Walk Down the Aisle What Is a Unity Ceremony? Creative Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Ceremony Seating

Follow these tips when figuring out where to put your guests.

PHOTO BY TONY WODARCK / Design by Zackary Angeline

In This Article

While wedding reception seating can sometimes feel like a complicated game of Tetris, wedding ceremony seating is typically more straightforward. As with most aspects of a modern wedding, there’s no one right way to do it. “If you’re in a more casual space, you can pretty much decide what you want,” says event planner Aimee Dominick.

Meet the Expert

Aimee Dominick is the founder of A. Dominick Events , an event planning firm in the Washington, D.C. area. 

Whether that means adhering strictly to tradition or mixing things up to make them your own, all that matters is that those you care about most are present to witness you exchange vows . Still, having a starting point for planning is always helpful. Read on for everything you need to know about wedding ceremony seating.

PHOTO BY DENNIS ROY CORONEL

Who Sits Where at the Ceremony? 

The most attention and effort should be paid to where the VIPs of the wedding will sit: parents, grandparents, close family members, and if they won’t be standing at the altar, the bridal party. In most traditional Christian heterosexual weddings, the bride’s parents sit in the first row on the left side of the aisle, while the groom’s parents fill in the first row on the right side. In a Jewish wedding , this formation is flipped: the bride’s family is placed on the right, while the groom’s family is on the left. In some Jewish Orthodox and Muslim wedding ceremonies, attendees are divided by gender. 

Close family members such as aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings not in the wedding party will sit in the next row or two unless the wedding party won’t be standing for the ceremony. In that case, the wedding party will typically fill in the second row on either side of the aisle , though some houses of worship will have them sit in the front row.

In families with stepparents , the most traditional arrangement is to have the mother, her spouse/partner, and any other close relatives of hers take the first row, while the father and his group take the second row. If the parents are on good terms, it’s perfectly fine to sit them both in the first row, although usually not right next to one another. "A buffer of their spouses, or an aunt or a grandparent, works well," Dominick says.

When it comes to attendees beyond the VIPs, guests of the bride have traditionally filled in on the bride’s side, while guests of the groom have filled in on the groom’s side. But mingling is encouraged more and more these days, so don’t worry too much if guests mix between sides—especially because it makes for better pictures if there’s an even distribution across the aisle.

Wedding Ceremony Seating Etiquette 

Who should have a reserved seat at the ceremony .

Anyone walking down the aisle —parents, grandparents, etc.—should have a reserved seat at the front of the ceremony, as should anyone who is doing a reading during the ceremony. (Readers should be seated on the aisle.) The dates of these guests should also be given a reserved spot next to them. 

Instead of placing generic " reserved " signs on the aisle entrances, Dominick recommends labeling specific seats with specific names to avoid confusion. (This also prevents third cousins from taking a seat in the family section that should really go to a grandparent.) In ceremonies done with individual chairs instead of benches or pews , Dominick often lays out the first few rows with the exact number of seats necessary for VIPs to avoid any empty spots.

Be sure to leave a program on the seats of guests who will be walking down the aisle because they won’t be handed one otherwise.

When should VIP guests be seated? 

In a traditional heterosexual, Christian wedding, this happens after guests are seated, but before the formal processional. As a general guideline, the person closest to the bride comes down the aisle closest in order to the bride. That means the grandparents of the groom go first, followed by the grandparents of the bride. Next up: the mother/parents of the groom, followed by the mother of the bride . After that, the formal processional kicks off, often with the groom and groomsmen entering from the side of the altar. (The groom may also choose to escort his mother/parents down the aisle before taking his place at the altar.)

How should ushers escort guests to their seats?

While the necessity of ushers at modern weddings is up for debate, more traditional weddings often still make use of the role. If a wedding has designated sides for each member of the couple, the usher should greet arriving guests and ask which side they’re attending the wedding on behalf of. The usher should offer their arm to female guests and escort them to a row on the appropriate side that’s closest to the front but still has seats available. (If the female guest is attending with a male date , the male will walk behind the usher and the woman.)

At a wedding in a large church , such as St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, guests of a certain importance level may be sent pew cards in their invitation indicating exactly where they should sit. In those instances, an usher would escort the guest directly to their designated pew.

PHOTO BY BOTTEGA 53 STUDIO

Ceremony Seating Tips

Figure out your wants and needs. .

If you’ve always envisioned a long, dramatic walk down the aisle, a larger number of shorter rows is the way to go, whereas the curving nature of a semi-circle formation encourages a more intimate feeling. "If you’re having a bigger wedding and you don’t want the last row to feel like the last row, this is a good option," Dominick says.

An in-the-round ceremony is also striking visually, but it requires certain sacrifices to effectively pull off. "This is really pretty if you’re okay with your bridal party sitting," Dominick says. "If they stand, they’ll inevitably block someone’s view of the couple."

PHOTO BY JOEL SERRATO

Make sure seating is comfortable.

Though rustic hay bales and boho floor cushions look beautiful on Pinterest, think about your guests. “If you showed up in a dress, you really don’t want to have to sit on the ground,” Dominick says, who encourages a similar line of thinking when it comes to benches: “If you have an older crowd , they might not be thrilled about not having a back to lean on.”

PHOTO BY LAURA MEMORY PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY

Don’t let décor obstruct anyone’s view. 

While lush aisle arrangements help any ceremony feel more memorable, they shouldn’t come at the expense of your guests. "If you have things that are really tall, you want to be sure they aren’t blocking the site lines of the ceremony," Dominick says.

PHOTO BY AMBER GRESS PHOTOGRAPHY

Guests with young kids should not sit on the aisle. 

If there’s a risk a young guest might cry during the ceremony, the guardian of that child should sit at the end of the row farthest away from the aisle, and, whenever possible, closer to the back of the ceremony. That way, they can exit the space as quickly as possible should a fuss occur.

The Ultimate Wedding Ceremony Guide

A Guide to Wedding Ceremony Order

Who Walks Down the Aisle and When

Everything to Know About Your Ceremony Exit

Writing Tips From Experts

How to Create a Unique Wedding Ceremony

How Long Should the Ceremony Last?

Tips for Writing the Perfect Program

Seating: Who Sits Where?

Modern Ways to Walk Down the Aisle

What Is a Unity Ceremony?

Creative Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony

Questions to Ask Your Officiant

How Much Does an Officiant Cost?

How to Lead a Wedding Ceremony

How to Write Your Own Vows

Who Traditionally Goes First?

Quotes About Love to Get You Started

Traditional Vows to Inspire Your Own

Modern Vows That Are Unique

Unique Vow Ideas From TV Shows and Movies

Should You Exchange Vows Before the Ceremony?

The Best Vow Books to Keep Your Love Alive

How to Choose Music for Your Ceremony

Blessings and Prayers From Different Cultures and Religions

The Best Songs to Play While Guests Arrive

Non-Religious Readings We Love

The Best Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To

Incredible Altar Ideas

Beautiful Ways to Decorate Your Aisle

Unique Chair Layouts

Stunning Ceremony Locations

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