Nothing sounds like less fun than a seating chart, also known as an escort card display, especially if you have bad memories of your elementary school days of not being able to sit next to your BFF. When it comes to your wedding, you might be wary of the seating chart whether it sounds too formal, disappointing to guests, or simply too difficult to put together. Although it might not be your favorite wedding task, the seating chart is absolutely necessary for weddings to prevent guest stressing over where they should sit. If a positive guest experience is important to you, read on for tips for creating your wedding seating chart that will make every guest happy!
Be Mindful of the Table Groups
Cathy of COJ Events says, “As the couple hosting a wedding it’s easy to try to accept responsibility for everyone attending. And as wedding planners our goal is to create a fabulous guest experience for everyone attending, but the truth is that when it comes to the seating chart it may not be possible to make everyone happy! And that’s OK! Do your best to keep people together who will enjoy each other, allow family who have not seen each other for a long time to spend time together not with strangers, and work hard to make your floor plan well thought out so that there are not really any bad tables! Then relax and enjoy the time knowing that guests are only sitting at the dinner tables for 90 minutes max.”
Kaella Lynn adds another interesting perspective, “I advise clients to think not only about seating people with those they already know but to group people by common interests. This allows them to also meet new people and build more community along your guests. For example, those that studied abroad in the same city.”
The Best Way to Arrange the Names
“For a group over 75 guests, I recommend placing the guests in alphabetical order instead of by table. This is so much more convenient for your guests, making it easier to find their name and table number and also letting them enjoy more of cocktail hour. Also helps with transitioning to dinner more seamlessly.” Remarks Kaella Lynn.
Create a Gorgeous Display
Walking up to a plain table of folded cards isn’t nearly as fun as seeing a beautiful display of escort cards that ties into your wedding theme. Although it’ll cost more to have a custom display, it might be totally worth it for guest experience. For example, one of my past couples loves sports and their seating chart was a “seeding chart” with a tournament bracket indicating the tables. Guests absolutely loved it!
Make it Boozy
To make the seating chart more exciting, give each guest a refreshing cocktail or glass of champagne along with his or her escort card. Jeannie of Details Details suggests, “Seating charts that incorporate champagne or a signature cocktail are super fun. We line up the drinks on wall shelves with acrylic stir sticks that are laser etched with guests’ names and table assignments. It sets the tone for a festive reception. For example, for a Bali wedding, we offered a lychee mojito while in California we offered a refreshing Prosecco.”
Cavin Elizabeth is a wedding film photographer based in San Diego, California. Her wedding work has taken her all over the United States and abroad. In addition to being a photographer, Cavin is an educator and an avid blogger of wedding planning tips for brides and grooms. She authored the book A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding, which teaches couples how to make wedding plans that are best for photography.
