Seating at a Wedding

Often times, the most grueling task of the wedding details is the seating! It seems to be one of those duties that is much worse than it actually is once started...I hear this from clients all time that they are dreading the task of doing the seating assignments...and before they know it, the task is completed!

There are few basic thoughts one should keep in mind as they begin their seating assignments. There are many various ways to seat the bride and groom. The sweetheart table is set for two - the bride and groom enjoying their first dinner as man and wife. The first time I saw the sweetheart table was in the early 90's...it was THE most beautiful and romantic table I had ever seen. Since then, I have seen mother's passing down their heirloom silver pieces to set this special table, have seen this table on a riser with soft chiffon draping framing the table, specialty lighting highlighting the table...it can be the "jewel" of any dining room!

The traditional long head table has the bride and groom seated in the center with their bridal party on either side. When setting any bridal table, just remember that the bride should always be on the groom's right side...however, one bride told me, "I can't do that, that is not my good side!" I am sure that such remarks would make Emily Post and followers catch their breath and sigh!

Although, Emily Post suggests that the Best Man be seated next to the bride and the Maid of Honor be at the groom's side, this is a rule that is often not followed as the bride and groom seem to have some comfort with their honorary attendant at their very own side. Again, we can look for guidance from the experts and then decide what liberties should be taken and still display good taste.

More common today, the bridal party is seated at regular dining tables and seated with their significant others. This is probably the most common seating that I see today. There may be as many as three special bridal tables with this seating configuration. Of course, the immediate families of the bride and groom are set close to the bride and groom.

Seating for parent tables also have a few options. Again, what I have witnessed is most often the bride's parents will have a table and the groom's parents will have a table. The parents may seat grandparents and other close family or friends at this table. Usually, the clergy is also seated at one of these tables of honor. If both parents are close, they may choose to have just one parent table and include the clergy person and their closest relatives, such as grandparents. Either seating option for the partent's table is appropriate.

Again, tackling the seating assignments is a task that is often dreaded but once started, the pieces usually go together much faster than one expects and the task is completed quickly! HOWEVER, be prepared for additional revisons as guests send late regrets OR late acceptances...it happens!