Seating Chart vs. No Seating Chart

So, the thought of creating a seating chart where each guests sits at an allocated spot makes you sweaty and a little sick. Or maybe you’re just so laid back that you want your guests to have the freedom to choose their own spot. I get you. But I have also put together a list of some reasons why you might want to re-consider! You will thank me in the long run!

Photo by Merge Photography

Photo by Keeper Creative

Photo by Keeper Creative

Photo by Shannon Stent

It’s your wedding, but don’t forget your VIP’s

There are usually a few guests who are about as excited for your wedding day as you are (mum, dad, close friends who didn’t make the bridal party, you know the ones) and you want them up the front / sitting near you / in a spot that reflects their importance to you. Imagine if your mum or dad was held up chatting to other guests or helping you bustle your wedding dress before your grand entrance, only to enter the reception and find out the primo seats have already been taken? They would be absolutely devastated, and while they would be able to awkwardly shuffle guests around to get to the right spot, it really ruins the atmosphere and can cause unnecessary distress for your nearest and dearest. We would all like to think no one on our guest list would do this, but would you rather just avoid the awkward and upsetting situation all together? Yeah, me too.

Pesky Peanuts and Gassy Gluten

In other words, Dietary Requirements. Before you declare your free-range seating arrangement, keep in mind the majority of caterers and venues will require each guest to have an allocated seat so they can quickly and easily locate those with allergies and dietary requirements without trekking the entire reception to find their target. If you know someone with a severe food allergy, you will appreciate the importance of this reason from both the guest and caterer’s perspective. This simple gesture for their safety (as well as mentioning that their requirements have been provided for) will not go un-noticed. Same goes for Vegetarians, pescatarians, vegans and any other non-allergy related requirements.

Avoiding Musical Chair Mayhem and Random Empty Seats

You know when you go to the movies (or anywhere) and there is no set seat on your ticket? You don’t usually just go up to a stranger and sit right next to them, you’ll leave at least a courtesy seat or two between you and them! Same goes for weddings. So to avoid the last few couples wondering where they are meant to sit because there is only one seat available on 2 separate tables, just allocate seating. Your venue will only set the number of places needed anyway, and if you are ordering in your own cutlery, crockery and linens, you’ll appreciate the slightly smaller bill. This also discourages musical chairs - who wants their husbands seat taken by the grooms uncle half way through the evening?! There’s time for mingling once the eating is finished!

Family Dynamics

Yep, that old chestnut. It is a well known fact that seating charts can cause arguments, but they’re better than letting guests choose their own seats on the day and causing their own drama that is totally out of your control and has the potential to ruin the day for you and the rest of your guests. If a family member or particular guest popped into your head as you read that, take it as your personal sign that you need to create a seating chart! This can even happen in the most cohesive and chilled family and friend groups - emotions run high AF on wedding days! This also means that you can position certain guests where you know they will have the best time. You can thank me later.

Round Tables

Possibly the only exception to the rule, where you can get away without specific seats to guests is with round tables. But hear me: you will still need to allocate guests to a specific table and create a seating chart for this. However as you can only fit a certain amount of guests per round table, it is easier for guests to choose their own seat at their allocated table and not cause chaos as there is little room for error! If you go with this option, please still check with your caterer or venue as they may still need specific seat allocation if there are dietary requirements.

Well, that is my 2 cents on why you should have a seating chart!

Emma xx