1. Wait for the replies
Only start seating once you know who’s coming and with whom. With online RSVPs, guests enter their companions’ names too, so you work with an accurate list of names.
2. Choose table types for your room
Round tables encourage conversation; long tables feel more like family and save space. Ask your venue for the floor plan and possible layouts.
3. Head table or sweetheart table
You can sit with your witnesses and parents at a head table, or just the two of you at a small table where you can see everyone. Both are lovely – just make it visible.
4. Couples and families always sit together
The golden rule. Never split a couple or a family across tables.
5. Seat by circle of friends, not by family tree
University friends, colleagues and childhood neighbours love sitting together. At mixed tables, seat people with something in common side by side.
6. Children
Young children sit with their parents; older ones may enjoy a supervised kids’ table with activities.
7. Older guests
Seat them away from the speakers, somewhere calmer and close to the restrooms and exit.
8. Tricky situations
Divorced parents or old disputes: seat them at separate tables, at an equal distance from the head table, so no one feels sidelined.
9. Use automatic seating
In the thisisyes seating planner you set how many tables you need and of what kind, and we seat your guests automatically from their replies, always keeping companions together. Then simply drag anyone elsewhere and arrange the tables in the room. Try it for free with sample guests.