One of the most complicated tasks for the bride and groom when it comes to organising their wedding is to plan the tables for the wedding banquet. As usual, the bride and groom try to organise the tables to ensure that all their guests feel as comfortable as much as it possible, but it’s not always so easy!
When it comes to arranging the tables for the guests, there are a number of factors that come into play, such as: the size of the venue or surroundings, the number of guests sitting at each table, the shape of the tables, etc., which complicates the task.
It is impossible to satisfy everyone, but it is possible to achieve the best possible organisation of the wedding tables. That’s why today we’re giving you some tips on how to organise the tables at your wedding reception so that it doesn’t cost you too many headaches.
Take your note!
1. Try to get confirmation of attendance as soon as possible
Before getting down to work, we recommend that you calmly go through your guest list and check how many guests have confirmed their attendance. To do this, we recommend that both members of the couple get involved by asking your guests. This way you will be able to organise the wedding banquet tables as closely as possible.
2. Choose the type of table
Next, the ideal thing to do is to know what type of tables you are going to use and what capacity they will have: round or square tables, tables for 8, 10 or 12 guests? Once we are clear about the possibilities offered by the venue or the caterer, we can start with guest distribution ideas.
The round tables make it easier for the attendees to have a smooth conversation, which is very important for the success of the celebration. It also allows you to add or remove services if there are any last-minute delays in the event and it is not too obvious. This type of table is usually for 10 diners, although they can vary between 8 and 12 (or even 6).
Rectangular tables are an excellent option if you are going to have many guests and want to be close to them. They are also ideal for creating a festive and informal atmosphere, and are very useful when the venue is small.
Square tables are particularly suitable for intimate events. And, as with round banquet tables, the fact that everyone can see each other encourages dialogue.
U-shaped tables are also on the rise. The presidential table forms the shorter side of the U-shape, from which two large rectangular tables emerge, leaving a large central space free, which is ideal for moving around comfortably.
And if you don’t like these options… opt for a mixed wedding reception. Yes, this is another type of set-up that is very popular nowadays especially when there are a lot of guests. The term mixed refers to the combination of round and elongated tables, which makes for an incredible visual play.
3. Closer to your nearest and dearest
When it comes to organising wedding guest tables, the most common, and also the most practical, is to start by placing the closest family members nearby, either at the presidential table itself or around it. Next, we recommend that you continue with the closest friends, and then with the rest of the family and friends.
4. Create a good atmosphere at each table
We want all our guests to enjoy the wedding reception, so we should try to make them feel comfortable. A good way to do this is to seat people at each table that you think will be better, due to their age, character, hobbies, ideology…
5. Avoid tables full of strangers
It is very possible that you may want to gather people who have been left behind at a table and avoid the problem of having to think about how to relocate them. Or you might want to mix groups and try to get them to socialise with each other. However, on most occasions, this is not the best idea. Guests may feel uncomfortable with someone unfamiliar and, instead of enjoying the day, they may be more concerned about how to get distracted and slip away. For this reason, the ideal thing to do is to think about who can best match with whom at the wedding reception (by age, hobbies, work, region…) and set them up according to this line of thought.
6. Keep in mind those who don’t get along well
Remember that bringing together family members or friends who do not have a good relationship is not the most appropriate thing to do. Even if a wedding is full of love, not everyone has reason to get along with each other. This is a fundamental thing to bear in mind to avoid any mess that could spoil everything you have prepared. No matter how well-intentioned you are, instead of smoothing things over, it can have the opposite effect.
7. Who should I put at the presidential table?
It’s up to you! The bride and groom and their parents are usually seated at the presidential table, but more and more people also prefer to seat their brothers and sisters and the groomsmen or friends. There are even some grooms who choose to sit alone!
The most common seating arrangement is for the bride’s guests on the right and the groom’s guests on the left.
8. One table just for the children
This option is becoming more and more common at wedding banquets. This way, both children and parents enjoy the event much more: the children have more fun and the parents can relax, as all the children are supervised at the same time. Do you already know the best venues for weddings with children?
9. Cardboard, markers and post-its
A very effective trick is to lay out the tables using posters and cardboard signs. On the cardboard you have to draw the tables according to the way they will be laid out in the hall on the day of the reception, and then add post-its with the name of each guest to the table that corresponds to them. Having coloured post-its allows you to distinguish different groups or categories of guests.
10. Reserve a place for guests who are “in doubt”
Those guests who are in doubt, who don’t know whether they will come or not, should also have their place assigned to them so you don’t have to look for a chair for them at the last minute.
We can choose a different colour for them and add it to the table where we would put them if they were to come at the last minute.
Do you need help with the organisation of your tables or with your wedding preparations? Well, at Perfect Venue we are waiting for you to get down to work.
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