Wedding Table Plan: Our top 10 tips for success

1. Planning the plan

Believe it or not, many couples find themselves in the trap of putting together a quickfire wedding table plan a few days before their big day. To avoid this, we suggest setting your RSVP date at least four weeks before your special day, to allow yourself enough time to follow up guests who haven’t RSVP’d and then to draft and finalise your table plan.

2. Don’t hesitate to delegate

Ask your parents to assist with the table plan by seating their friends and family members. Your parents will probably want a say in who sits where anyway, so getting them to help out will take a load off your plate so you can focus on other things in the lead up to your wedding. Your parents are also likely to know any back stories as to who shouldn’t sit next to whom.

3. It’s wise to categorise

Once you’ve received all your RSVPs and finalised your guest list, start by breaking down guests by relationship to the groom, bride, groom’s family, bride’s family, and circles of friends. You will probably end up with a ‘misfits’ category so do your best to fit them on to the most suitable table, perhaps considering their age, occupation or interests etc. In other words, try not to shove them all on one table!

4. Keep your friends close

Typically the bride and groom will sit at a top table facing the rest of the wedding guests. You will find the evening more fun if keep your friends close. Having your wedding party at the head table on either side of you is a great way to enjoy dinner with your besties whilst at the same time recognising their vital role on the day.

5. The second best seat (table) in the house

Traditionally parents of bride and groom are sat on the same table. If you are to have both sets of parents on separate tables for whatever reason, try and make sure they are equally as close to the head table, so there is no hint of ‘favoritism’. Even if there isn’t, they might see it this way.

6. Separate the hate

Try and keep people who you know dislike each other or have had a prickly history away from each other. This might sound obvious, but this is especially important when there is a lot of booze around.

7. Finding your seat

Whilst it’s commonly thought that most guests actually prefer assigned seating, spare a thought for whether you simply implement assigned tables (but guests can choose their own seat on that table) or make it easy for your guests by assigning both tables and seats for them. If you go for the latter, more popular option, then you also need to sort out name cards (check out our range here).

8. Don’t over think it

Whilst it’s important to try and keep people happy and fit everyone onto tables as best as possible, remember it’s your wedding and everyone is there to enjoy themselves and celebrate!

9. Check please 

Make sure you check, double check and triple check that you’re happy with your wedding table plan, that it makes sense, and most importantly that you haven’t forgotten anybody!

10. Get creative

Whilst a traditional wedding table plan is a great and easy option, there are plenty of other unique ways to display your table plan. Wedding table plan cards, for example, are a fabulous alternative as they can be attached to a mirror or chalkboard, pegged to some twine, or hung from a tree. Dream big and get creative!

All of our wedding invitation collections are available as matching table plans. Check out some of our table plans here, or get in touch to find out more.