Seating Chart No-No’s

Just as you put a significant amount of time and thought into your guest list for your wedding, you should also take plenty of time and thought to construct your reception seating plan. After all, you want all of your guests to enjoy their time at your wedding, not just on the dance floor, but at their tables as well. A seating chart is the key to making that happen.

Here are a four mistakes to avoid when planning your seating chart. 

1. Seating adults and older teens at the kids’ table

Every child loves the kids’ table, but once your cousins hit high school age, sitting with the kids will definitely feel like an insult. Your high school age, college age and twenty-something family members will appreciate being treated like adults, so make sure to seat them with their own families or divide them into groups who are over and under the legal drinking age. The kids’ table should be reserved for children who can enjoy activities like coloring or be entertained throughout your reception by a fun toy. Shoot for twelve and under. You absolutely don’t want your 21-plus relatives being forced to sit with their elementary-aged cousins.

2. Dividing up immediate family members

While your teenage cousins may not want to sit with their parents, if adult children are coming home for your wedding, you should definitely seat them with their parents. Your wedding is a celebration of your love for and commitment to your partner, but it’s also a chance for relatives to get back together and see each other, especially if those reunions are few and far between. Do them a favor and seat them at the same table so they have a chance to catch up.

3. Trying to force new friends by seating strangers together

Your friends and loved ones are attending your wedding to celebrate you, not to make new friends of their own. Even if you think your high school bestie and your college roommate would be great pals, it’s not your responsibility to force them to interact by seating them at the same table. Between the bachelor and bachelorette parties, showers, the rehearsal dinner and the dance floor, your guests will have plenty of time to mingle and forge new relationships. Your college friends would much rather all sit together than be split up at different tables.

4. Skipping seating arrangements entirely

If you want your wedding and reception to be a laid back affair, you may consider skipping a seating plan and just letting everyone sit where they want. No one will feel forced to make conversation with someone they don’t know, and families can sit together if they choose. It’s the easiest way to go, right?

Actually, people like clear expectations at weddings. They want to know where to go and, yes, where to sit. No matter how casual your event is, your guests will still have no idea where they should sit or what tables are reserved for immediate family members. You may end up with a bunch of guests awkwardly shuffling around your reception venue, waiting for someone else to sit down first or waiting for the rest of their group to decide which table to take. A seating plan saves everyone the confusion and awkwardness and definitely won’t come across as overly fancy. Your guests will appreciate knowing where they’re supposed to be and that you took the time to place them with other people they will enjoy sitting beside and chatting with.