In order for the wedding to be peaceful and fun, you should worry about the seating plan for the guests in advance. In Russian tradition, when preparing for an event, it is customary to pay more attention to the choice of dishes and drinks on the table. Practice shows that this approach is not bad, but far from perfect. The event will be much more fun if you take advantage of new trends and foreign experience in organizing holidays.
Why do you need a seating plan?
Very often, the imaginary picture of the newlyweds’ festive feast is much brighter and more interesting than reality. Most often, the problem is not a meager table, a lack of good alcohol, or a festive decoration. Banal silence and boredom at the table can turn a chicly decorated banquet hall into a dull sight. To avoid such a situation, it is worth thinking through in advance and drawing up a seating plan for guests at the wedding.
How to seat guests at a wedding
A wedding is a celebration where two families essentially become one. We are not talking about the newlyweds, but about their relatives and close friends. To prevent guests from huddling together with their usual groups and sitting in silence, it is worth seating representatives of both parties interspersed. This way the friends of the bride and groom can get to know each other. Divide your family into small groups, perhaps married couples or adult siblings, and bring similar couples from both sides together at the same table.
When making your plan, keep in mind the age and personal preferences of your guests. It’s a very bad idea to seat an avid hunter and a lover of our little brothers with an active life position at the same table. But placing the artist and the musician close to each other is a good move. Also, you should not bring up the problems of fathers and children at the holiday; try to take into account the age of the guests when determining seats. Proper seating of guests guarantees a lively conversation at the table.
Tip: how to seat guests at the table
There is trouble and commotion in the house. In the kitchen there is “smoke like a rocker” from cooking and frying. The wife runs briskly from the table where she is cutting the salad to the oven where the pie is baking. The husband, with a concentrated face, selflessly rubs the glasses with a towel. Children, pushing and quarreling among themselves, place plates on a table covered with a white tablecloth. Is the picture familiar? I think yes. You are expecting guests . The menu has been drawn up, entertainment has been invented. It seems you haven't forgotten anything. But stop...
Stop for a minute and think about how you will seat your guests at the holiday table . Of course, everything can be left to chance. As they sit, so they sit. Just think, another concern.
And in this you will be wrong. There is a whole science of how to properly seat guests at the table. In close, home-based groups, when close people gather, we usually do not adhere too much to etiquette. What if you are expecting some respected guests whose opinions you value very much. Then you can't do without etiquette .
So, let's talk about how to properly seat guests at the table.
The places for the owner and mistress of the house are central . In rectangular tables they are located in the center of the long sides. The hostess and the owner sit opposite each other.
The places located to the right and left of the owner and hostess are considered the most honorable. The most respected man is seated on the left hand of the mistress, and the woman is seated on the right hand of the owner.
By the way, men and women should be seated alternately . Moreover, married couples are separated. They sit next to each other only on special occasions. For example, if they are newlyweds or celebrating some kind of marital anniversary. Then they sit in the central place next to each other. Moreover, the man is to the left of the woman.
In order to avoid confusion when seating at the table, hosts are recommended to indicate the guest to his place in advance. Sometimes they use special nameplates placed near the plates.
A man always helps his lady neighbor sit down. He moves her chair away from the table and holds her there as she sits down. Only after that does he sit down himself.
By the way, according to etiquette, guests do not have the right to be the first to sit down at the table. The hostess should sit down first , and then the guests.
And, of course, the age of the guests is also taken into account. Young people do not sit down until the older generation is seated at the table.
Like any science, table seating etiquette has many nuances. I talked about the most basic ones. Those who wish to study it thoroughly can be advised to consult specialized literature . And then you will never again get into trouble in such a complex matter as etiquette.
Examples and templates for designing a wedding seating plan
It is not enough to simply draw up a seating plan on a piece of paper. Guests must be familiarized with the arrangement of tables and their place. Otherwise, the crowd of invitees will simply rush around the hall in search of cards with their name.
To solve the problem, it is worth creating a wide-format seating plan for guests at the entrance to the banquet hall. The design of the stand should be consistent with the general style of the wedding.
The wedding seating template is very simple. Sheets of paper on the stand are arranged according to the arrangement of tables in the celebration hall. In the title of each sheet, you must indicate the table number, then list the names and surnames of the guests located behind it. You can order such a plan at any framing salon.
Round table: seating details
Seating guests around a round table helps create a friendly atmosphere, and therefore implies close relationships between people. The advantage of this seating arrangement is the ability to see each other and, accordingly, maintain a general conversation at the table. The general seating rules are also taken into account here: alternation of men and women and priority of guests.
Knowing the rules of etiquette will allow you not only to organize a party correctly, but also not to get lost when invited to a reception. Using generally accepted rules for seating guests at the table will be the key to creating a pleasant atmosphere and good mood.
Publication date: 10/03/2017 11:28
Seating guests at a wedding is not an easy task. Many newlyweds don’t even think about its importance. After all, this is not just a list of names with a table number. This is the main secret of a fun holiday. None of the guests will rejoice at the fact that they will have to feast at the same table with an unpleasant person. Therefore, you should make a plan in advance where and with whom the invited guests will sit, so that everyone feels comfortable at the holiday. We are in a hurry to help you!
Why is a seating plan necessary?
1. Any guest does not have to worry about his place if he stays a little longer and arrives after the start of the celebration. His place will not be taken, and in the middle of the banquet you will not have to run around the hall looking for an empty chair.
2. With proper seating, best friends or families will definitely sit at the same table. This means they will feel comfortable.
3. Seating the guests will help avoid uncomfortable situations. It is unlikely that any of the guests will want to sit at the table with strangers. And young people are not eager to sit in the company of older couples.
4. For restaurant waiters, guest lists with table numbers are very important. Among the guests there may be, for example, allergy sufferers. Thanks to the detailed list, waiters will not confuse plates with dishes, and everyone will receive a treat that is prepared especially for them, taking into account their tastes and needs.
5. Knowing who is sitting at which table, guests will be able to quickly take their assigned seats in the hall. This means that seating arrangements will help avoid unnecessary fuss in the banquet hall.
Who is involved in drawing up the plan?
Planning seating at a banquet is the direct responsibility of both the bride and groom. This responsibility cannot be shifted to the wedding organizer. After all, only newlyweds know the interests, needs and characters of their guests. The newlyweds can plan their seating separately, that is, only on their part. But it would be better to start planning together. If distant relatives are invited to the celebration, then parents can also be involved in the process. When planning, you can also be interested in the opinions of guests. But this fact is best used only for the closest people, for example, for family (parents, grandparents), for best friends. If you take into account the wishes of each guest, you can easily get confused. Then there will be more dissatisfied people at the wedding than we would like.
When should you start making a plan?
Since the seating arrangement of the guests is determined by the number of people invited, the plan must be drawn up at the very end. First you need to send out invitations and wait for affirmative responses. Before this, it is worth clarifying the number of tables and their exact location, the total area of the banquet hall.
It's best to start planning a few weeks before the ceremony. To avoid problems, you can warn all invitees so that they respond as soon as possible. If some guests do not respond for a long time, then you can proceed with the plan without their consent. It is worth remembering that a large number of guests requires more time to think.
You should also think about spare free places. It happens that a guest changes his plans right before the wedding and decides to attend the celebration and congratulate the newlyweds. Then you can be sure that everyone will have a place at the table.
If the tables are rectangular, then it is better not to seat anyone at the end (the narrow edge of the table). Let the decor take this place.
The most common seating methods
When planning seating arrangements, young couples often encounter difficulties, so they have to change the plan several times, playing out all possible configurations. You can make a layout of the hall and signs with the names of the guests. This will allow you to clearly see the situation and not get confused.
First you need to choose the type of seating:
1. Most celebrations are decorated in European style. That is, they set large round tables, at which usually up to 10 people sit. In this case, the main thing is to arrange the tables correctly so that each guest faces the newlyweds and does not sit with their back to them.
2. A good option would be to arrange tables in the shape of the letter “P”.
3. You can also arrange several long rectangular tables. But the guests of the bride and groom should not be seated separately. This will divide the room into two “camps”. It is better to seat them so that they can freely communicate and share impressions.
Sometimes a young couple decides to have a modest wedding, inviting only close relatives. Then you should set one common table. Thanks to this solution, the atmosphere of a quiet family dinner will be created. Here it is important to decide on places for newlyweds.
Seating arrangement for important guests
Having decided on the seats for the newlyweds, it is worth carefully considering the seating arrangement of the parents. The best option is to seat them at the same table. This way they can get to know each other better. The wedding of two young people is not only the union of two lovers and the creation of a new family. This is also the unification of two large families. Best friends should be seated at the same table with the bride and groom. Sometimes they are given one common table, where they can calmly get to know each other and communicate. And this is a very important point. After all, after the wedding, the newlyweds become friends together. Don't forget about grandparents. A bad option would be to seat them next to the aisle. Then they will have to get up often to let the guest through. And at their age this will become a problem. It is best to sit them with relatives, then they will feel cozy and comfortable among close people, and they will have something to talk about.
We put a clearly visible number on each table so that guests can easily find theirs. And so that the invitees sit correctly not only within the table, but also each in their own predetermined place - take care of personalized banquet cards.
Free seating
Shouldn't guests decide where to sit? By the way, we are all adults! However, statistical studies show that 84% of wedding guests prefer an organized, pre-thought-out seating plan.
"Free seating" sounds nice, but, unfortunately, it rarely works in practice, and here's why:
- It can be a hassle to find the “best” places
- seating guests at tables will take much longer. They may still be walking around the room after the treat has been served.
- the beautiful decoration of the hall and tables can be spoiled by the sight of guests leaving jackets on chairs in order to “take up a seat”
- it will end up with the last few guests wandering between tables and looking like outcasts looking for a seat at the banquet table
- couples may end up separated
- Elderly relatives may end up in places where they cannot hear or see well enough
- if uninvited people come to your celebration, they can take the places reserved for your invited guests
Basic principles of seating arrangements
- Central place for newlyweds. The bride sits to the right of the groom.
- The main condition for ideal seating is comfort. Invited people should feel comfortable at the table, where they can communicate calmly. Therefore, it is worth taking into account their interests, age and preferences.
- Place close relatives and best friends closer to the newlyweds' table. This will please them and will also make it easier for you to communicate with them at the holiday.
- Keep in mind that wherever the guest sits, he must see the newlyweds.
- It’s better to sit people you already know next to each other, so they’ll have something to chat about.
- Introduce unfamiliar guests to each other to avoid awkwardness.
- Consider the likes of your guests. Guests who dislike each other should sit at different tables.
- Place particularly active ringleaders and cheerful people at a distance from each other so that they entertain every part of the table.
- It is better not to place unmarried people among spouses; perhaps he or she will not be able to join.
- If you have a lot of guests, prepare a seating plan and place cards in advance so that no one gets confused.
- The interests of those sitting next to you should coincide at least a little so that they have something to discuss.
- Guests with children should not be seated too close to the sound equipment; it should also be convenient for them to leave the table if necessary.
- Do not group guests by gender. Try to seat men and women one after the other.
- You can organize a separate table for children, and if there are not many of them, then next to their parents.
Complete modern encyclopedia of etiquette Yuzhin Vladimir Ivanovich
How to seat guests at the table
No one will probably argue that guests are invited not only to eat together. The main thing is human communication. Therefore, think about how to seat your friends at the table so that both their communication and yours are not disrupted by various inconveniences. True, this is not required in every case - at a youth party it is not at all necessary to force guests to follow all the strictures of etiquette. But if you have organized a lunch or dinner party where both parents and friends are present, representatives of different generations, and not everyone knows each other, then it is better to think in advance about how to seat them at the table so that they feel comfortable.
There is a fairly common rule: never seat spouses together and, conversely, never seat lovers separately. But this is exactly the rule that you can adhere to or not, at the request of the guests themselves.
In general, international standards of communication at the table distribute seats as follows: at the head of the table is the place of the guest of honor, and to the right of him is the hostess of the house; if the guest of honor is a lady, then, accordingly, she is seated at the head of the table, and on the left is the owner of the house.
The rest of the guests are seated so that there is always a gentleman next to the lady who would look after her all evening, offering food and drinks.
To create a pleasant atmosphere of free communication, you should sit together those who have many common interests. To avoid the so-called rank distribution of seats, which involves seating guests of honor closer to the head of the table, it is better to have a round-shaped table, which will eliminate all the difficulties of seating guests.
If you are hosting a buffet for several dozen people, you can place several set tables and stands in different places in the room or apartment. This way you will avoid crowds.
From the book How to Receive Guests author Lubenets Svetlana Anatolyevna
How to entertain guests
From the book At an official reception author Zhalpanova Liniza Zhuvanovna
Seating guests at the table At an official reception, guests are seated at the table in accordance with their social status or diplomatic rank. If the rule is broken, the guest may perceive this as a deliberate insult to him or the organization,
From the book Encyclopedia of Etiquette by Emily Post. Rules of good manners and refined manners for all occasions. [Etiquette] by Post Peggy
Conversation at the table Conducting a conversation at the table at an official reception is a great art. Nothing brings people together like a pleasant conversation, and nothing pushes people away like an offensive or unnecessary argument. A conversation reveals the level of a person’s upbringing. The best
From the book Protocol and Etiquette of Diplomatic and Business Communication author Kuzmin Eduard Leonidovich
Smoking at the table Nowadays, ashtrays are rarely placed on the dinner table, since many people quit smoking and others do not tolerate tobacco smoke well. If ashtrays were not placed on the table, it means that the hostess does not want guests to smoke while eating. Smokers
From the book Encyclopedia of Etiquette. All about the rules of good manners by Miller Llewellyn
AT THE TABLE Whether you're dining in your kitchen or at a White House function, good table manners make you seem like a pleasure to do business with. And even during a home-cooked dinner, you don’t have to sit lounging, put your elbows on the table, or talk to
From the book A Real Lady. Rules of good manners and style author Vos Elena
AT THE TABLE Do not be late if you are invited to lunch, breakfast, dinner, tea. Do not sit at the table until the ladies are seated or until the host or hostess invites you to take a seat. Do not offer your left hand to a lady when accompanying her to the table. A man should always offer his right hand to a lady.
From the book Complete Encyclopedia of Housekeeping author Elena Gennadievna Vasnetsova
AT THE TABLE Knowing the rules of behavior at the table is especially important. This section of etiquette is one of the most difficult, since individual rules differ not only on different continents, but even in countries of the same continent. Therefore, at appropriate receptions it is necessary
From the book Encyclopedia of Home Economics author Polivalina Lyubov Aleksandrovna
Table manners There seems to be only one really important rule regarding table manners: don't behave differently in different circumstances. In the family circle, we all dress and behave more casually than in public, but at the table
From the book The Complete Modern Encyclopedia of Etiquette by Elena Viktorovna Vyskrebentseva From the book Etiquette. A complete set of rules for social and business communication. How to behave in familiar and non-standard situations author Tatyana BelousovaFrom the book Cool Encyclopedia for Boys [Excellent tips on how to be the best in everything!] author Elena Yuryevna Vecherina
Behavior at the table Inviting guests to the table is the responsibility of the hostess. She should be the first to sit down at the table, but not immediately grab the food, but wait until the guests sit down. First, women sit at the table, then men, and only then young people. If one of the guests
From the author's book From the author's book
Etiquette at the table General rules of behavior at the table General rules of behavior or etiquette at the table are the minimum that every cultured person should know. When sitting at a table, you should only rest your wrist on its edge. Women are allowed a small
From the author's book
§ 4. Arrangement of guests at the festive table A certain Roman, having dined alone, said: “Today I ate, but did not dine.” Plutarch The organization of the communication space is an extremely important factor that determines the quality of the process - its efficiency and comfort. Any
From the author's book
§ 7. At the dinner table Manners reveal morals, just as dress reveals the waist. Francis Bacon Oh, this table setting, cutlery, napkins. We have completely mastered the knife and fork, but we still demonstrate many “punches” in our manners. For example, we cannot “tame”
From the author's book
Table manners? If you are called to the table, do not be late, do not keep yourself waiting.? Don't start eating until everyone is at the table.? Don't move too close to the table, but don't sit too far from it either. Don't lean back in your chair, don't lounge on it.?
Preparing a wedding banquet is a lot of work, the main part of which is making sure that the newlyweds and guests spend this day fun, joyfully, and remember it as a real holiday. The harmony of a wedding celebration is only possible if all its participants feel comfortable, which largely depends on what kind of people are sitting around. In this article we will look at the main options for arranging tables at a wedding.
, so that you can later choose the most suitable one for yourself.
Thoughtful seating of guests at tables
, compiled taking into account the characteristics of your guests, be it menu preferences or personal qualities, is the guarantee that the entire wedding reception will take place in a friendly, positive atmosphere and will bring only positive emotions to everyone.
Whatever seating option you choose, you can easily plan it using our service!
“I was pleasantly surprised that such a convenient service exists. At the moment, all the functionality of the service meets my needs. Thank you!"
- Anastasia.
Your desires, preferences and creative approach to organizing a holiday can be key in deciding how the tables will be arranged
in the hall and guests behind them. However, objective circumstances, such as the number of guests, the nature and features of the room, its area, shape, different floor and ceiling levels, should be taken into account in order to create the most ergonomic space, convenient in all respects for the holiday.
For a wedding reception with a small number of people in Russia and other European countries, they often use a seating arrangement that involves the presence of one fairly large table.
This can be one rectangular table (for 10-12 people) or several tables connected together in the shape of the letter "T" or the letter "P". The bride and groom sit in the center or at the head of the table, where they can be seen by all guests, with parents and witnesses next to them.
DIY wedding seating templates
It's no secret that sometimes even the bride and groom are unable to name all the guests at a wedding. Relatives on both sides sometimes have no idea who they are talking to, which can result in unpleasant situations and incidents.
At celebrations abroad, a very popular game is called Find your face, find your place. Literally, this phrase can be translated as “Found my face, found my place.” The essence of the idea is to hang small photographs along with the names in the seating plan. This will allow guests to know in advance who they will be sitting at the same table with and avoid awkward moments.
You can entrust the implementation of such a stand to professionals, but in order to avoid mistakes, it is better to do it yourself. In fact, it is no more difficult than drawing a poster for a school wall newspaper - it does not require any special talents.
What was the name for a visit in Rus'?
In the old days in Rus', villages and cities were located at a great distance from each other. A trip to a neighboring town was a huge event and could take up to several weeks. For these reasons, any newcomer was a welcome guest. He brought news with him, could tell something interesting or warn about impending danger. They greeted the guest with sincere joy and tried to please him in everything.
In conditions of existence without television, radio, the Internet and other technical entertainment, live communication was of particular value. But the Russians were not bored waiting for distant, “overseas” guests. Guests from the closest circle helped brighten up the monotonous everyday life: neighbors, distant relatives and godfathers living in another part of the village. For such cases an invitation was required.
People were invited to visit with respect, with special respect and cordiality. “You are welcome to our hut,” “You are welcome!” - such phrases were usually accompanied by bows. Welcome guests were literally invited into their home. This address also implied that the person would be given a very respectful welcome.
Why do we need cards with guest names?
A beautiful seating plan for guests is great, but again, it’s not enough. Duplicate the seating arrangement with name cards on the tables.
The cards will help the event host decide on the location of the main characters in the holiday’s entertainment program, and waiters will be able to quickly find guests and fulfill their requests. Again, nameplates will help guests get to know each other and remember each other’s names. Wedding seating templates and cards should be made in the same style.
Name card design options
The design of place cards depends on the overall theme of the wedding decoration. For example, if the main motif is autumn, then the cards can be made on gold or orange paper, and the table numbers can be indicated in the form of falling leaves. Cards carry important information, so don’t overload them with unnecessary design.
It is better to make signs in a minimalist style: a small, neat pattern and a name. This is a win-win option that always looks elegant. Sometimes you can deviate from the golden rule. If the event program is eventful and guests require personal instructions and explanations, then you can make plaques rather than name cards.
Such signs can contain all the information necessary for guests and can be used as props during competitions. This design option can only be implemented if it is really necessary. Signs take up a lot of space and will disturb guests more than they will clarify what is happening.
How to properly place guests at tables?
Maria German Decor
Free seating makes sense if there are few guests (up to 20 people), they know each other well, and the celebration promises to be informal and filled with active entertainment.
If most of the guests do not know each other, and you would like to introduce them; famous or high-ranking persons will be present at the wedding; If you are planning a classic celebration in compliance with traditions, you need to provide personalized seating.
There are several options for personalized seating. If you have one large table or the tables are arranged in the letter “P”, “G”, “W”, it is better to place a card with the guest’s name in front of each place. In the case of European seating and a large number of guests, it is more convenient to number the tables and place a map of the location of the seats with a list of guests at the entrance to the hall.
Ready-made design templates
It is not necessary to order cards from a professional designer. You can use ready-made free templates for designing seating arrangements for guests at a wedding. All you need is a computer, printer, paper and scissors.
You need to print the required number of sheets. Then cut the cards along the lines, write the name by hand and fold them in the center. If you have a color printer at your disposal, the task is greatly simplified. It will be possible not to limit yourself to black and white design, but to boldly choose bright prints and patterns.
The given templates follow a common design style, so even different cards will look harmonious on the same table. Instead of multi-colored patterns, you can use colored paper. One way to emphasize the bride's or groom's side of the party is to print cards in two colors, such as yellow for the bride's guests and brown for the groom's guests.
DIY name cards
Even in the absence of a printer and computer, you can make exclusive signs with your own hands, and quickly. This will require a lot of cardboard, glue, glitter and a fountain pen. An example of execution can be seen in the photo below.
First you need to decide on the shape of the cards; in the example in the image, the bottom edge is cut out in the shape of waves. You can purchase a special hole punch at a craft store and make your task much easier. The shaped knives of the device will help you quickly and easily make stars, hearts, leaves and other shapes along the edges.
Next, you need to apply glue to the edge of the paper and dip it in glitter. Then the excess sprinkles are carefully removed from the card. Use a fountain pen to write the guest's name beautifully. Writing in ink is not easy; you need to either practice on a separate sheet of paper or use more familiar and convenient writing tools. The highlight will be a short personal wish for guests on each card.
Curly hole punchers can cut out not only waves, but also various animals and patterns. The device can be used to make another option for designing personalized cards for guests.
These cards are made from simple craft cardboard and round napkins made using a shaped hole punch. In the center of the napkins, you need to write a name by hand and glue it to the cardboard support.
It is not difficult to make cards with your own hands when their number does not exceed 50 pieces. For large celebrations with a long list of guests, it is better to seek help from professionals in their field. Organizing celebrations is rarely complete without the services of interior designers. The cost of cards and a seating stand will simply be lost in the overall costs. Personal participation is required at the stage of compiling the list of guests and their seating plan in the hall.
