Taking on the Wedding Seating Chart

seating chart
Wedding trends are ever-changing, and many of the formal traditions that were a part of every wedding in the past are beginning to fall by the wayside. One such custom is the seating chart, which is finding itself to be unnecessary at many nuptial events.  However, if you have a formal dinner planned as part of your reception, and your confirmed guest list has a few problematic relationships, you’ll want to make sure everything runs smoothly. While we’d all love to think our family and friends will get along for a few hours without an issue, some gentle strategy and finesse may be required. Here are just a few tips from experts that may help take the edge off – and help you to determine if you need a seating chart at all.

* Although the entire event may much longer, the time spent sitting and eating is actually minimal in the grand scheme of things. So although everyone around any given table may not love each other, as long as they can be trusted to keep it civil, you should be fine. At wedding receptions, people mingle through appetizers and wander around speaking with distant relatives – so don’t put yourself under too much stress.  Use sticky strips to write everyone’s name, and start building tables. If you hit a snag, you can easily peel someone’s name away and place it at another table. seating chart
* It is more common these days to assign tables rather than specific seats. Unless the dinner is arranged to require assigned seating,  it won’t matter too much which seat they end up in. And if two people at the same table happen to have an issue, they can distance themselves.

* If you can afford to leave a little space at each table, guests can easily visit or sit at a neighboring table if that works better for them. For instance, a traditional round wedding table (60 inch) can fit 10 people maximum. By seating 6 or 8 people at each of these tables, you leave space for shuffling.

seating chart
*To take the uncomfortable vibe out of the “singles” table, get rid of it. Place unaccompanied singles at other tables interspersed throughout the venue. There is no need to draw public attention to everyone who came alone by placing them all at the table in the back – together.

And if you need assistance any aspect of the service or reception – the professional planners at Griffin’s Floral Design are not only the best team in Columbus to provide the most stunning florals, but we can also make sure that the entire event runs smoothly. Take a few deep breaths, then give us a call. Your Columbus wedding is in good hands.