Wedding Seating charts are essential or not depending on your type of wedding. For example, you don’t need a seating chart if you’re having an elopement wedding with just the two of you. Micro weddings with ten people or less don’t either. Other than that, most weddings need seating charts because they make everything easier. You don’t want the confusion that comes with letting your guests roam free when it comes to seating arrangements at your wedding.

Seating charts can also be very useful. With them, you can allow your guests to meet, mingle and have fun. However, creating your own seating chart can seem like a challenging task. Not to worry, V&V has a few tips concerning that to share with you. So, grab a seat (pun intended), relax and let’s talk about how to make your wedding seating chart.

Do I Need A Seating Chart?

You need a seating chart at your wedding if :

• You have a seating meal and 50 or more guests

• You have a group of people or family members that need to be seated separated.

• You’re serving a seated meal

Options: Assigned seats or assigned tables

There are two ways that you can go about it when it comes to seating your guests. You can either assign tables or assign chairs.

Assigned Tables

With assigned tables, you number your tables and then tell your guests which tables they’ll be on. They can pick any chair that they like at the table when they get there.

Assigned Seats

With assigned chairs, every guest is told precisely where to sit. The spaces could also be labeled to identify who is supposed to be at them. It is a lot easier to assign guests to tables than it is to do the individual seat assigning. 

Getting Started

Once you know you need a seating chart and if you will have assigned tables or seats it’s time to get started. The following steps should get you a beautiful and well-made seating chart:

1. Set your RSVP deadline 4-6 weeks before your wedding date. It would be best if you had them at least four weeks before the wedding. This way, you will have enough time to follow up, you don’t want to be struggling with this just before your wedding day.
2. Start your draft when people start confirming. In fact, as soon as you get the first RSVP. You can also start with your preliminary guest list pending when your guests all RSVP.
3. Use an Old-fashioned poster board or a whiteboard to sketch the floor plan. When done, put the guest names on sticky notes so that you can move them around. You can also use an online seating chart if you can find one. If you work with a wedding planner they should have a platform or system to help you with this.
4. Consider the floor plan before assigning tables, if you’re having a sweetheart table, that’s where the bride and groom should be. If what you’re going for is a head table, the couple, the wedding party and the significant others of the wedding party can be included. Then you can have your close immediate family, your parents, your grandparents, your siblings, and your family together.

Inspiration

Here are a couple links with some beautiful seating chart options/ inspiration:

Eucalyptus Seating Chart Template

These seating cards feature a hand-painted greenery artwork with silver dollar, willow and eucalyptus. You get a template that you can customize and have them printed the same day.

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Wedding seating chart poster

If you prefer a poster rather than cards, this simple but yet elegant design will compliment your wedding décor with a flawless look. Just ask a couple extra flowers to your flowers and you are all set.

Remember

It’s a good idea to make sure that you check your venue layout and table sizes before you start. Consider where the dance floor is, where introductions will happen, where the food will be, and high traffic areas. These and more are the many keys that you need to create a successful wedding chart easily. Best of luck!!!

Have you started planning your wedding in Northern Virginia yet? V&V Wedding Planning and Coordination can help make your wedding planning smooth and stress-free. I’m located in Warrenton, VA, and would love to hear from you.

And don’t forget to pin your favorite photos from this shoot to Pinterest!

Just hover over any photo and use the red “save” button to add your faves to your wedding photos or photography Pinterest boards!

Just hover over any photo and use the red “save” button to add your faves to your wedding photos or photography Pinterest boards!