(MS) - Do you enjoy puzzles? Well, when you engage in the task of creating seating plans, that's just what you'll be doing - tackling a puzzle. Only you won't get a finished picture after fitting all the pieces into place. Rather, you'll be rewarded with a wedding reception that goes smoothly for most involved. Follow an organized plan to make easier work of a challenging task.
The first thing you should do once you have the final head
count for your reception is to make a seating chart. Draw large
circles to represent the tables, dance floor, musical
entertainment and entrances. (Or get a preprinted seating chart
from your reception hall). Don't forget to find out how many
guests can fit at each table. Then write everyone's name on a
card or sticky note so you can play "musical chairs."
Another option is to go high-tech. There are now
wedding-planning software packages that have a
seating-arrangement tool. Store guests names and digitally
manipulate where they will be seated.
 In general, place guests in spots that suit them. Your
friends will want to be near the band, bar or dance floor. Keep
the elderly away from the band or DJ's speakers. Family and
friends should be closest to your table. Acquaintances and your
parents' friends should be placed farther away. Separate people
who do not get along. Place handicapped guests in easily
accessible spots that are close to exits.
As the happy couple, you have a few seating options. You can
sit at a head table or dais, which is traditionally long and
straight and faces the reception tables. Arrangement at the
table can vary. The bride and groom usually sit front and
centre, with the maid of honour on the groom's left and the
best man on the bride's right. The other attendants are seated
male and female.
Still, you can stray from the norm. You can have the wedding
party and their dates sit at one table while you and your new
spouse sit at a table for two at the front of the room. You can
also sit at a table with only the maid of honour, best man and
their dates. Or you can sit at a table with your parents. Do
whatever fits your style and makes you most comfortable.
Parent seating is flexible, too. Both the bride's and groom's parents generally sit together near the newlyweds.
Siblings not in the wedding, grandparents and other
relatives may also sit nearby. If your parents are divorced or
don't get along, separate them. Your mother and her guests can
sit at one table and your father can have his own table on the
other side of the room. If you're unsure how to seat them,
consult both your parents and in-laws to see what would they
would prefer.
For family seating, it seems natural to sit people of the
same side of the family together to guarantee that they'll be
comfortable. Consider mixing and matching by sitting the
bride's cousins with the groom's cousins so they can get to
know each other. Put family members with a history of squabbles
on opposite sides of the dance floor - you'll be happier for
it.
Seating friends allows you more creativity. You can sit
people who know each other together or you can play matchmaker
by seating singles who have never met at the same table. Some
opt for "singles" and "couples" tables, while others feel this
seating creates awkwardness. Again, don't forget about people
who don't get along. If your two college buddies aren't on
speaking terms, now isn't the time to try to patch things up by
seating them at the same table.
Sometimes, there are just some people who don't fit anywhere
- your friend from camp, your boss whom you didn't think would
show. Whatever the case may be, avoid seating all the random
guests at one table; they'll know they're the misfits. Get
creative. Consider ages, interests and marital status.
Now that you have everyone in place, identify each table.
You can keep it simple with numbers or letters, or identify
tables by themes or colours. Guests' names and their table
assignments should be placed on place cards (Consider having a
calligrapher write these cards, or print them on your
computer.) Set them in alphabetical order on a table near the
entrance.
You can't please everyone with the seating assignments, but try to make everyone enjoy hearing the words, "Please be seated."
