| Do I need a Seating Plan?
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| | 'singles' table but generally do whatever
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| If you have a small, informal reception,
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| | you feel is best for your guests.
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| you may not feel you need a plan.
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| | 3. If you are using round tables, the
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| However for larger numbers, or a sit down
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| | general etiquette is to seat males and
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| meal, both you and your guests may
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| | females alternately around the table. If
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| benefit from a seating plan. Guests are
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| | you are using long tables, seat couples
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| saved from a mad panic of trying to find
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| | opposite one another and then alternate
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| a seat on a table with their friends
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| | male/females along the table.
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| family and you can place people where
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| | 4. The tables closest to the Bride and
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| they'll be happiest! The wedding meal
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| | Groom should be reserved for the closest
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| may last for 2-3 hours and is a
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| | friends and family.
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| significant part of the day. If your
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| | 5. Give each table a name or number.
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| guests are sitting with people they get
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| | Table names could be themed - for example
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| along with, it will make a big difference
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| | people, objects or places that are
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| to their overall enjoyment of the day.
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| | relevant to you as a couple. Names also
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| There are a number of options for the
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| | remove the perceived hierarchy of tables.
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| seating plan:
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| | You should create a name card for each
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| • No plan at all - best for stand up
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| | table (your venue may do this for you) so
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| buffets or small and informal events.
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| | that guests can easily find their table.
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| • Assign guests to tables - you
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| | 6. If you are assigning guests to
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| allocate guests to tables but the choice
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| | specific seats you should create name
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| of seat is theirs.
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| | place cards. These could also show menu
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| • Assign guests to seats - you specify
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| | choices (if you are offering them) or
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| the seats at which each guest will sit.
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| | indicate vegetarians. The waiting staff
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| If you remember only one thing…
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| | will really appreciate this and it will
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| Do what you think would make you and your
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| | allow them to give a more seamless
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| guests most comfortable.
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| | service. You should also give a paper
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| The Top Table Dilemma
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| | copy of your plan to the venue so that
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| While the traditional top table (Bride
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| | they can see where people are seated.
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| and Groom seated at a long table flanked
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| | Creating the Plan
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| by the wedding party) is still favoured
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| | Start arranging your seating plan early.
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| by most, alternatives are often being
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| | You can start doing this before all your
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| introduced as family structures get more
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| | RSVPs have come in as most of your close
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| complicated. The traditional layout is as
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| | friends and family will probably be
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| follows:
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| | definitely attending, even if they
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|
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| | haven't formally replied yet.
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| There are alternative arrangements -
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| | To begin creating your plan, get a
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| these are useful when parents have split
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| | general idea from your venue how tables
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| up and are possibly with a new partner.
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| | will be arranged in the room, determine
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| Alternatively, you may want to avoid the
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| | whether you'll be using round or long
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| top table altogether and have a romantic
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| | tables or a mixture of both, and work out
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| table for two, or sit with other friends
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| | how many people you can sit at each
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| family.
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| | table.
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| Top Tips for Other Tables
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| | Arranging the plan can take a long time
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| 1. Seating tables with just one family
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| | and might involve numerous revisions.
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| group will let them relax, but won't do
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| | Many people cut up pieces of paper for
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| much to encourage mingling. However, a
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| | each guest and table and use these to try
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| table where no one knows anyone else
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| | out different layouts. Thankfully, over
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| might be a bit daunting for most people!
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| | the last few years software (web-based,
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| Try and arrange a mix on each table - so
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| | for download or even Excel spreadsheets)
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| everyone knows a few people. By thinking
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| | has become available to make the task
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| about guest's ages and interests you can
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| | simpler. It can save you not only hours
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| make sure that each table is likely to
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| | of your time but also reduce the stress
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| get on and have fun!
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| | in the lead up to the big day by
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| 2. Where to sit singles can also create
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| | simplifying last minute changes.
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| a dilemma. On one hand you might want to
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| | Article written by Adam Leyton of
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| try out a little matchmaking, but on the
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| | toptableplanner.com, an online table
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| other, this could be rather uncomfortable
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| | planning tool for weddings, parties and
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| and awkward for your guests (it might be
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| | events.
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| very obvious too!). Certainly avoid a
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