Your big day is nearing closer and details are being finalized. One daunting remaining task may be creating the seating chart. Fear not! We’ve put together some helpful tips that will make the process go a little bit smoother than you might have expected.

Our favorite method for composing a seating chart requires some scissors, sticky notes, a pen, index cards or a poster board. First, cut up sticky notes in strips of four (with sticky side at the top) and write each guest’s name on the strip. Then, take some paper or index cards and write the table numbers down. Proceed to place strips around the table numbers until everyone has a seat and the tables are filled. Two great things about this method is that it’s easy to modify, and it allows you to actually visualize what the tables will look like. After hours of staring at an excel spreadsheet, this will mix things up and make things a little more interesting.

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Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings.

 

There are a couple of different ways you can organize your guests and the seating chart. The first option is that you can integrate both the groom’s and bride’s guests together, and seat them at mixed tables. This will encourage guests to mingle and get to know both sides. Just make sure everyone has at least one person at their table they already know or would enjoy chatting with. The second option is to have tables made up of people you already know will be comfortable with one another (example: bride’s extended family all at one table, groom’s at another).

Feel free to ask your closest friends and family members for their input. You may be surprised to learn that your siblings would rather sit with the cousins, or something of the like.

Of course, always make sure to seat married couples at the same table. Younger children should be seated with their parents, or at a designated kid’s table. This could be a good idea if more than a few younger children will be in attendance to your wedding.

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Some more random tips:

– Say you have a large group of friends, and they can’t all fit at a single table. Split the group down the middle and fill the other spots with other people (you don’t want to leave out one or two friends from the group).

– Be conscious of where you plan to seat single friends – don’t stick them in a table full of couples and one other random single person. That could make them feel awkward.

– Try to avoid tables of all strangers.

– You may want to seat younger, more lively people near the DJ/live music. Grandma and Grandpa probably don’t want to be right in front of the racket!

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Just remember – don’t stress! This is your day and it’s going to be amazing no matter where you seat your guests. Happy planning!