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Wedding Seating Chart

Easily create your floor plan. WeddingWire’s free Seating Chart makes table assignments easy.

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Find the perfect place for everyone on your guest list

It's easy to decide who's sitting where by mapping out your custom floor plan and assigning your guests seats with your WeddingWire Seating Chart.

Add your guests, group them together and visualize where guests will sit at each table.

Manage seating for different events

Manage the seating plan for all your wedding celebration events, not just the reception.

Chart view and list view

Choose which option works best for you!

Accomodate all of your guests

From parents, siblings and cousins to coworkers, college friends and more, easily seat them all with our Seating Chart tool.

Create your floor plan

Add tables, a dance floor, DJ booth and anything else to visually mimic your event layout!

START YOUR FLOOR PLAN

Seat your guests

Automatically sync with your Guest List all you have to do is drag and drop guests into their seats!

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Share your Seating Chart

Print, email or export your WeddingWire Seating Chart in a visual or list format to pass along to others.

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Deciding who’s going to sit where can be overwhelming, but our wedding Seating Chart tool makes it easy. We’ll help you set up a floor plan, seat your guests and share the chart with your VIPs.

Stage the venue

Foam boards and thumbtacks won’t be needed. With our wedding guest seating tool, you can drag and drop tables to mimic your reception layout. This will help you visualize where the tables will be, and where guests will sit at each table.

Create the seating plan

How do you make sure all your guests have seats? Our Seating Chart tool lets you sync your Guest List with the floor plan. Watch your seating arrangements take shape by placing everyone in the seat of your choice.

Spread the word

Lots of people will want to glance at your wedding guest seating plan. Easily print, export or email everything to your partner, planner, venue, or anyone else who may need it. They’ll have it in their hands in a few clicks.

Plan on the go with the WeddingWire app

From venue tours to cake testing, take the WeddingWire app with you wherever you go.

I have used WeddingWire for just about everything for our wedding. I made our website have start working on the seating plan, used the to do list, found vendors, and a lot more!

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Wedding Seating Chart questions, answered

Is your wedding seating chart tool free.

Yes, the WeddingWire Seating Chart tool is totally free! It also integrates with your Guest List so it's easy for you to pull in everyone who is planning to attend and place them into your custom floorplan. You can even export or print it to share with your vendors.

How do you create a Seating Chart for a wedding?

It's a good idea to group wedding guests based on what you think they'll enjoy the most during your reception! For some people, that's sitting by family or friend groups, while for others it's pairing people together who may not have met before but have a lot in common. Our Seating Chart tool is easy to use to create a custom floor plan based on your venue size and layout. You can import guests from your list or add them individually.

Is a Seating Chart necessary for a wedding?

A Seating Chart isn't required, however it is incredibly helpful in making sure you are able to provide clear direction to your wedding guests and ensure everyone has a seat at your wedding reception.

How do you make a Seating Chart?

Our Seating Chart tool makes it simple! You can create your layout digitally with circular or square tables, the right number of seats, and even custom areas for the bar(s), dance floor, and more. Then, drag/drop your guests to be placed at each table and customize until you are satisfied. Finally, easily export or print to share with your wedding planner and venue!

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• Wedding Reception Ideas

30 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests

Replace escort cards with a seating assignment display that shows off your personality.

Emily is a former editorial assistant for MarthaStewart.com.

While escort cards suit some wedding aesthetics, a single, seamless chart can often be a better fit for your vision (or venue). If you use a single diagram, map, or list to direct guests to their tables, then custom menus or personalized favors placed at each setting can indicate specific seats (you can also allow guests to choose their own spots as they get to know their seatmates).

A seating chart can also add a memorable statement detail to your wedding décor. Your shared hobbies and interests—sports, sailing, and favorite cities—can all provide inspiration, and so can a color palette, mixed materials, or unique textures. See how real couples incorporated glass, copper, wood, fabric, and a variety of other elements into creative wedding seating chart ideas.

Copper Pipe Wedding Seating Chart

A couple who were introduced by a mutual friend beside a school water fountain included a cheeky nod to the location with a seating chart made from copper piping (prettier than any piping we've ever seen inside a wall).

Nautical Wedding Seating Chart

The couple's favorite song and waterfront venue inspired their seating chart, which included guests' names calligraphed onto the sails of small, vintage model sailboats.

Rainbow Wedding Seating Chart

At a "retro beach rainbow"-themed wedding, guests found their seating assignment according to color, not number, on an installation designed by the bride and built by the groomsmen.

Mountain Wedding Seating Chart

After reaching this couple's mountaintop ceremony site by chairlift, the seating chart—which read "The mountains are calling"—was an appropriate touch.

Etched Glass Wedding Seating Chart

This double-layered seating chart, which included a frosted panel in front of the etched panel for depth, was decorated with trailing greenery.

Textile-Inspired Wedding Seating Chart

Small blue leather triangles, each etched with a guests' name and table number, were arranged to mimic the layout of a classic Pendleton blanket at this Nebraska wedding .

Black Wedding Seating Chart

This couple used three different tents for their cocktail hour, reception, and after-party, purposefully incorporating every color of the rainbow into the layout. A sleek black seating chart let the florals and lighting shine.

Full-Length Mirror Wedding Seating Chart

Ornate full-length mirrors surrounded by lush florals—and calligraphed with the guests' table assignments—were an opulent accent to the rustic exposed brick and gravel pathways at this venue.

Potted Plant Wedding Seating Chart

A backyard wedding may not offer space for an expansive escort card display, but a shelf of potted plants—with each pot displaying the guests assigned to a different table—looks right at home.

Glass Jug Wedding Seating Chart

Rich wood tones, seaglass-inspired jugs, bright fruit, and casual handwriting lent a vacation vibe to this beachfront wedding.

Blue Floral Wedding Seating Chart

These brides kept their seating chart simple and chic with a bold blue shade, which they repeated throughout the decor, a line-drawn floral element, and contrasting white text.

Golden Gate Bridge Wedding Seating Chart

At a venue surrounded by views of the Golden Gate Bridge , the iconic structure inspired many of the day's illustrations—including the seating chart, where acrylic panels with guests' names sat atop a custom image.

Handmade Wedding Seating Chart

The bride's father crafted this handmade seating chart from wood salvaged from his North Carolina farm.

National Park Wedding Seating Chart

Tables at this wedding were named for the couple's favorite national parks, and guests' names were calligraphed in copper on dark leather by Jessica Lee Calligraphy .

Greenery Wedding Seating Chart

This simple seating chart gets an extra dose of elegance thanks to the surrounding boxwood greenery.

Rustic Arrangements Wedding Seating Chart

This wood and lettering seating chart at this couple's rustic, outdoor wedding reception was decorated with lanterns and floral accents.

Mirror Display Wedding Seating Chart

This display—which was inspired by Snow White —featured gold-rimmed mirrors stuck in a wall of greenery and blooms.

Scroll Wedding Seating Chart

Inspired by a classic, regal scroll (with paper swapped for fabric), this seating chart was comprised of a rich velvet base and held gold assignments calligraphed by Perfect Fête Designs .

Lucite Wedding Seating Chart

Four elegant Lucite slabs lit by votive candles displayed the seating arrangements at this reception.

Illustrated Wedding Seating Chart

Hand-watercolored artwork by Emily Baker Studio topped seating-assignment cards with illustrations related to the wedding's venue and the groom's heritage.

Record Wedding Seating Chart

LB Events owner Hallie Slate fulfilled a bride's request for a music-inspired seating chart by using spray-painted, vintage records. The bride's sister (Kenzie of Details, Darling ) then calligraphed each with the guests' names.

Transparent Wedding Seating Chart

Martha's niece used this floating display for her wedding. The chart itself was made from Plexiglas and was held from barn rafters using barely-there fishing wire.

Window Wedding Seating Chart

A father of a bridesmaid made this seating chart by placing a piece of glass in a window frame, while the bridesmaid added the details using a white paint marker.

Sporty Wedding Seating Chart

This tennis-loving couple turned their seating chart into sports brackets. The fun display was printed on navy vinyl.

Album Wedding Seating Chart

Album sleeves from some of the couple's favorite bands made this casual seating chart pop. Guests could hear the albums, too, since they were played throughout cocktail hour and dinner.

Milled Wood Wedding Seating Chart

This calligraphed cut of locally-milled wood served as an eye-catching seating chart (and decoration, too).

Citrus Wedding Seating Chart

This white structure—complete with greenery and lemons—made a statement in this outdoor space.

Easel Wedding Seating Chart

Grit & Grace made this formal blue-and-white seating chart, which was supported by a clear easel. "Having the seating chart was a last-minute decision," said the celebration's bride, but "it turned out to be a really cool addition to the wedding."

Simple Wedding Seating Chart

This wooden seating chart features tables named after Hawaiian islands (perfect for the couple's island celebration) and a welcoming pineapple illustration.

Chic Wedding Seating Chart

The bride designed this seating chart by borrowing elements from her invitation suite.

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In This Article

• Wedding Reception Seating Chart For All Types Wedding Themes

Wedding Reception Seating Chart Tips And Etiquette

• Wedding Party & Reception

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For 2024 With Examples

Unless you’ve already planned a bunch of weddings it’s easy to underestimate how much of an impact your wedding seating chart can make to your reception. If you’re the type of person who likes a challenge, you’re going to have fun balancing making room for all your guests, allowing natural flow through the room, making it easy for your guests to identify their assigned space, and making the wedding reception seating chart match your theme.

Read on for seating chart basics and creative guidance for all types of wedding themes.

Quick Navigation

How do I make a seating chart for a wedding?

To make a seating chart for a wedding, create a list of guests and assign tables based on relationships and interests. Then, use creative displays like vintage frames or natural elements to showcase seating assignments.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For All Wedding Themes

When designing your seating charts, borrow queues from the immediate area just like these wedding seating chart examples.

Wedding Reception Seating Chart For Country Wedding

liliaflowerboutique via instagram

blossombaydesign via Instagram

The first piece of advice is to create a wedding seating chart poster that’s front and center for all your guests to see. Make your table cards equally accessible. For a country-themed reception seating stick with the definitions. Rural, unfinished, and specific to the area are the calling cards of the country style.

• Burned text on raw local wood. Find a large plank of gorgeously textured wood and write out the names and assignments using a wood-burning kit.
• Stretched leather and black ink. You don’t have to skin a hide yourself, but a large unfinished pelt will seem as though it came from the farm next door. Creating a wooden frame and handwriting names and assignments are a perfect DIY wedding seating chart project.
• Even destination weddings can indulge in a country theme since it’s defined as drawing from the local heritage. A Hawaiian ceremony, for example, can feature a transparent plexiglass box (where the writing sits) filled with luminous volcanic rock. Accompany this by table charts made from stone statues of Laka – the Hawaiian goddess of love.

Get your DIY materials here:

• Leather Pelt: Bed Bath & Beyond
• Live Edge Pine Slab: Lowes
• Volcanic Rock: Amazon
• Fibreglass Casing: Bed Bath & Beyond

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Seating Chart For Stylish Chic Wedding

designmill_co via Instagram

phuket_wedding_planner via Instagram

Next up in our series of wedding seating chart tips is to make a firm decision about the shape of your table and how many guests will be at each table.

Knowing how many people are sitting at each table really helps you plan where to seat your guests. If it’s a chic wedding theme you’re after, consider more tables and smaller groups so that conversations can be a bit more intimate.

Chic and stylish are a beautiful combination of trendy and trendsetting. Typically chic designs use time-tested elements with unique and creative spins, just like these table setting chart examples.

• Print your seating assignments on a sheet of metal like brushed aluminum or copper and set it on a delicate artist’s easel.
• Instead of one giant seating chart, choose an elegant frame for each table and hang them next to each other in an artistic arrangement.
• Many chic wedding themes feature generous use of lighting. Blend in your wedding seating chart decor by feature a plain, clean text backlight by LEDs.

Buy materials:

• Brushed Aluminum Sheet: China aluminum metal
• LED String Lights: Wish

Modern Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

The next step to creating successful wedding seating charts is to priorities your VIPs. You want your biggest fans as close as possible, which include both sets of parents, grandparents, and siblings. You also want your bridal party and their dates to sit nice and close too. Once you’ve coordinated their seats you can start to plan around them.

Modern wedding seating chart ideas take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. It can be something as simple as a wide board with your choice of fonts, or an everyday item artfully repurposed.

• Rent an oversized touchscreen or use a tablet that you already own. Simply have your guests type in their name which populates a screen showing an image of their table and highlights their seat. If you can spring for it, opt for facial recognition so that your guests can skip the name typing.
• For an outdoor wedding reception, set up a mock indoor space complete with an armchair, throw rug, and a bookshelf to house your seating plan.
• Use a printed map and name your tables as a state. For example, mom and dad will be assigned to the New York table while cousin Jesse and the party will be seated at the Chicago table.

Buy supplies:

• TouchScreen Rental: Oneworldrental
• Furniture Rental: EasyHome.com
• Printed Map: MapShop.com

Beach Wedding Seating Chart Examples

Once you have your VIPs seated, start filling the tables behind them. This is much easier if you break them into groups – distant relatives, work friends, etc.. – and ask your trusted advisors for some help. Making sure that everyone has a great seat and that each table has a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances is much easier as a group.

A beach wedding has the flexibility of being traditional, wild, and crazy, or anything in between. Whatever your choice of themes, it’s best to borrow from your surroundings.

• Stick a surfboard in the sand and write out your arrangements. It’ll be easy enough to find one that matches your color scheme.
• Adorn an arch with as many local plants and flowers as you can, and hang your table arrangements from a delicate string. This will look beautiful and natural as it flutters in the breeze.
• Write your wedding seating chart details in white on top of a slab of glass that sits on a thick wooden base. This looks natural by itself, but also allows it to blend in with natural surroundings.

Find materials here:

• Surfboard: surfstationstore.com
• Wicker Arch: Wayfair
• Glass Slab: fabglassandmirror

Vintage Seating Chart Ideas

heatherbengeofficial via Instagram

mymagicdreams via Instagram

Once your guests have found their tables, make it easy for them to confirm their seats with easy-to-find, easy-to-read Table Cards. These can be mini versions of the larger seating charts that you have out front. Or, they can be their own design so that it fits the table better. If you’re going this route, make sure that they integrate with your overall theme.

Vintage seating charts only work if you’re planning a wedding that draws from a specific era or decade. If this is your wedding theme of choice, you can have a lot of fun with your seating chart.

• Use an old window frame
• Use an old vintage suitcase. Open it up, stand it on its side, and decorate the inside.
• Find an old piece of wood and mount vintage kitchen knobs or vintage keys to hand the seating arrangements from.

For authenticity and the best bargain, head to your local thrift or antique store.

Whimsical Wedding Seating Chart

pasion_eventos via Instagram

Now that everyone has their seat, it’s time to think about Name Tags. Some think name tags are lame – you’re excused if you fit into that group – but a lot of your guests won’t know each other, and this is a really non-abrasive way to break the ice.

If your theme and design allow for it, try to make your table cards double as name tags your guests can pin to their tops.

A whimsical wedding theme is exactly how it sounds – a plunge into the odd and unexpected. Match your wedding seating chart template to your wedding theme by creating something eccentrically amusing.

• Indoor wedding? Bring a live tree inside and dangle the seating arrangements from the branches. This will look fantastic and force your guests to interact with the decor by poking through it to find their names and places.
• Create a wall of wine by mounting wine glasses to a garden wall. The glasses can either be stuffed with paper that carries seating instructions, or the glasses can be full of your best chardonnay with a label hanging from it.
• Fill balloons with helium and let them dance in the air as seating assignments dangle from each string. Not only will this force your guests’ eyes upwards to take in the entire venue, but the splash of color also makes for excellent wedding photos.

Get the stuff here:

• Decorative Tree: Wayfair
• Wine Glass Rack: Wayfair
• Bunch of Balloons: BargainBalloons

Seating Chart For Rustic Wedding

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

When creating your wedding seating chart make sure it’s at the front end of your wedding reception timeline . The first thing your guests should be doing is finding their seats, getting settled, and then socializing. Otherwise, you’ll have friends and family wandering around for far too long which throws off your speech, dance, and other timing.

Rustic weddings are fun to plan for. Use the same aesthetics in your wedding seating chart etiquette as you do for the rest of your ceremony and reception. Favor simplicity over beauty, and be proud of nature and Southern values.

• Repurposed pallets can be stood on their end and decorated with plants. Wood and greenery go great with the rustic look.
• Hang Horseshoes with attached seating tags from some weathered nails. This can be hung from a wall, but it’s best if you erect something temporary so that you’re not damaging anything.
• Write names and seating arrangements on the Old Door that’s placed front and center of your reception area entrance. This should blend into the “old barn” feel that you’ve established.

Get materials here:

• Wood Pallet: Businesses are constantly paying to get rid of these. Make a few calls and you can get one for free.
• Vintage Horseshoes: Etsy
• Old Door: Wayfair

Amazing Boho Seating Chart Ideas

jasmine_brida via Instagram

That’s all for how to do a wedding seating chart, but we have plenty more examples and resources for different styles and themes. Keep clicking or swiping to find the inspiration you need for your wedding seating charts.

The bohemian wedding style forms a firm connection with nature and draws from the hippy lifestyle of the 1960s.

• Adorn a Chalkboard with lace and other boho cues to create a simple yet elegant seating chart.
• Simulate the quintessential boho garland headpiece by decorating a Hula Hoop with feathers and flowers, and stringing the seating arrangements through its center.
• Stretch natural Burlap fabric over a base with alphabetized seating arrangements for a clean and simple design. For extra flavor, create a lace border.

Find DIY materials:

Seating Chart For Casual Wedding

jasmine_bridal via Instagram

Many couples choose to forego the glitz and glamor either to save a few dollars or to separate themselves from the fuss. Gowns, suits, menus, and decor are simplified in order to focus on the ceremony, the couple, and the company. These 3 wedding seating charts follow suit.

• Cut out the first letters of the bride and groom’s name. Post the bride’s guests’ info in her letter and do the same for the groom.
• Find the plainest Sign that you can. This can be a simple whiteboard atop a simple artist’s easel or posted on an easy-to-find wall.
• Make use of one of the most practical household items; a Corkboard. Pin your seating assignments and allow your guests to find their tables with ease.

Things to buy:

• Cut-out Letters: Amazon
• Plain Sign: Wayfair
• Corkboard: ULINE

Art-Deco Seating Charts

shawnayamamoto via Instagram

goodseedfloral via Instagram

If you’re not familiar with Art-Deco, think Great Gatsby. The style that swept Western design through the ’20s and ’30s is defined by strong geometric patterns and bold, contrasting colors. Use this style for your wedding theme for unmistakable decor.

• Create a simple board, but in the characteristic Gold and Black theme with art-deco fonts to match. Or, go with a classic Art-Deco print and write on top of that.
• Create a Geometric Archway where your guests will find their seating arrangements strung from.
• Collect 6-8 frames and paint them calling-card Gold to create one giant assemblage of frames.

Supplies for your theme:

• Art Deco Printed Board: Wayfair
• Art Deco Archway: Amazon
• Painted Frames: Indigo

Eco-Friendly Wedding Seating Chart

Eco-friendly is a way of life, not just a design theme. If this sounds like you, your decor of choice will have to have a 0-waste policy and should have some connection with nature.

• Burn your guests’ names and details into the ends of Wood Logs. This looks great, easy to find, easy to read, and when you’re done you can create a lovely bonfire to sit around.
• Etched Stones make a beautiful eco-friendly wedding seating chart. It’s best if you can find large stones that are naturally polished, they’re much easier to read than small rough stones.
• Reclaimed and Reused is just as good as zero-waste sometimes, which makes an Open Ladder a perfect seating chart option. Choose a few rungs at eye level to represent a table.

The great thing about eco-friendly designs, they’re mostly free! As long as you have a saw, wood logs are mother nature’s gift. The same goes with stones, and it’s very likely you already have access to an old ladder. Put a little time and effort into these little projects and they’ll look like a million bucks.

DIY Wedding Seating Chart

joyproctor via Instagram

Some couples prefer DIY to save a few dollars, and some feel a sense of genuine pride working as a team and completing a project. Whichever version describes you, these 3 wedding seating chart examples are gorgeous, easy, and low-cost.

• Write your guests’ details on a ьirror. Try to make sure the frame matches your theme, and make sure to practice your calligraphy before attempting the final product.
• Choose an assortment of Planters and hand-craft your guests’ cards to sit inside like feeding instructions. Take it a step further by creating homemade shelves or platforms for them to sit on, or create a giant planter that sits on the ground.
• Create a lattice wedding seating chart where simple cards sit in a nice arrangement. This is great for outdoor, rustic, and casual-themed weddings.
• Mirror: Bouclair
• Planters: Walmart
• Lattice: Wayfair

missstellayork via Instagram

To make your life simple and your wedding seating charts a great success, just follow the advice we listed above.

• Choose your overall wedding theme first, your charts and cards should match.
• Create your entire guest list so you know how many people you have to accommodate, then decide on a table shape/size so you know how many guests a single table can handle.
• Place your VIPs upfront, and break the rest of your tables into groups to make their experience social and fun.
• Make sure your seating chart is immediately visible when your guests enter the venue so they don’t have to walk around looking for it. Place table cards at their seats so they can confirm they have it right.
• Work your seating chart into your overall wedding timeline and budget so you know what you can afford and have enough time to do it right.

Like everything else on your wedding planning to-do list, a wedding seating chart becomes simple and beautiful if you put in a little research and planning ahead of time. We hope that these samples triggered your imagination and that our guidance inspires you to create the wedding of your dreams.

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• How to Create a Wedding Seating Chart

Don't let creating your wedding seating chart stress you out. Keep it simple with Zola's rundown of exactly how and where to place all of your wedding guests.

By Emily Forrest

The First Look ✨

• A wedding table seating chart isn’t mandatory, but it can help you, your guests, and your catering staff maximize your reception venue space.
• Consider your venue size and decide, based on your desired reception vibe and your guests, the type of tables you need and the floor map that best suits them.
• Start your seating chart with the head table then seat your relatives, friends, coworkers, and others. Make sure you consider guests' relationships and personalities when you sketch your plans.

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Whether it's rustic , modern , or vintage , you can add a personal, diy touch to your wedding table, centerpieces, and table setting settings with unique wedding table numbers that stand out. Plus, Zola makes it easy to manage all your Day-of Paper , integrating details from your Guest List, RSPVs and Seating Chart seemlessly into your wedding planning process. Shop Zola's new table numbers today!

Where your guests will sit at your reception probably isn’t the first thing on your wedding planning checklist —and it doesn’t have to be. Once you receive those RSVPs , though, it’s time to start mapping out your wedding seating chart. Like lunch tables in high school, seating arrangements can carry a lot of weight. There are plenty of variables to consider, but making a chart for your wedding seating doesn’t need to be overwhelming—and can actually be fun. Here’s everything you need to know about your wedding table seating chart.

Why do I need a wedding table seating chart?

Well, you technically don’t. While open seating is always an option, many couples will create an assigned seating chart for their wedding. It’s traditional, sure, but a clear seating arrangement benefits everyone from the guests to the catering staff and helps you maximize your reception venue space . Assigned seats just tend to make things simpler. (You can always assign tables and let each guest choose their individual seat, too.)

Here are a few reasons to create wedding seating charts:

• It ensures each table will be filled to its maximum capacity.
• It makes it easy for servers to locate guests and provide them any previously requested meals or meal substitutes. (Some wedding venues may even require reception seating assignment for this reason.)
• Wedding guests actually like to know where they’re sitting—it cuts confusion and any potential awkwardness.

How do I even begin making a guest list seating chart?

Before you even think about each wedding guest and their needs, first you need to consider the size of the space and of your tables. The size and shape of the tables will tell you how many guests can sit at each table. Wedding tables come in four basic shapes: round, rectangle, oval, and square, which should be discussed during the wedding planning process.

Square and rectangular tables make it easier for guests to chat across the table and next to one another. You can also typically fit more of these shapes into the space. Round tables, on the other hand, provide guests more legroom. These tables also may make your job easier as you’ll only need to pay attention to who’s sitting directly next to one another.

Once you choose your tables, map them out in the space, and know how many each will hold, then it’s time to start filling in your wedding seating chart with your guest names list.

How To Make Wedding Seating Charts

Now the fun begins. Whether your wedding venue is big or small, organizing your wedding guests into tables comes with a number of considerations. So, before you start making your name cards, consider these factors. Here are some things to think about as you create your wedding seating plan.

1. Start with the head table.

It’s a good idea to seat the two of you first at your wedding table. Decide if you want to sit at a traditional head table made up of your wedding party or if you would prefer to sit together as a couple at your own private sweetheart table.

Traditionally, a head wedding table is long and straight. The couple sits in the center and the wedding party (and sometimes their dates) fills in the rest. If you go the sweetheart table route, you can place the wedding party at one or two other tables nearby. It’s up to you, but be sure to place yourselves first.

2. Place your parents and grandparents.

Next, it’s a good idea to figure out where your parents and grandparents will sit. If they’re not sitting with you (some couples will include their parents at the head table), be sure to keep them close. It’s common for both sets of parents to share a table at the reception so they can bond and bask in their children’s newly wedded glow. This table will also typically include both sets of grandparents and any siblings that aren’t in the wedding party.

In the case of divorced parents, things can feel a little more sensitive. You likely know the situation best so proceed with care. If things between your parents are comfortable—meaning, they can spend quality time together without any palpable tension—you may feel fine placing them together at a table.

If things are a little more strained, be sensitive. Consider letting each parent host their own table (if space allows) of close family and friends. Be sure to keep these tables equally close to yours so everyone feels included. Depending on each family’s situation, this could mean potentially four parents’ tables. If you feel unsure, talk to your parents. They most likely want what's best for you and will do what it takes to help you figure out a solution that works for everyone.

3. Figure out your family and close friends.

Once the key players and planners involved in your wedding are situated, it’s time to move on to your extended family and friends. Barring any significant unrest, your family should be pretty easy to place. Traditionally extended family members sit together with their immediate family members. So, your aunt will sit with her partner and their children, grandchildren, etc. Each family group can cover a full table or, depending on family size, you can, of course, combine families into one table.

It’s more common to place members of your respective families together, but feel free to mix it up if you want. Why not set one of your extended family groups with one of your partner’s? You’re all family now after all.

You know the saying “keep your friends close.” Well, that same sentiment works at your wedding. Simply put, sit your close friends together—and definitely mix them in with your partner’s BFFs, too. More likely than not, many of your friends already know each other and are eager to reunite to celebrate your fresh union.

4. Categorize the rest of your guests by groups.

Beyond your family and best friends, weddings also usually include other attendees from the various parts of your life. This mix is a little more random and, therefore, can be a bit more challenging to place in your wedding seating chart. The easiest way to handle the last handful of guests is to separate them by groups. For example, these wedding guests may fall into the following categories:

• Your boss and colleagues
• Your parents’ friends
• High school friends

When seating your remaining guests, it’s nice to consider things like backgrounds, personalities, and interests. Many of these people will end up at tables together so it’s best to always take a moment to think about who could really mesh well together. Here's how we recommend handling each of these groups.

Boss and Colleagues

This group is totally dependent on your relationship with your boss and coworkers. It’s also important to consider your coworkers' relationship with your boss—they may or may not want to spend the night sitting next to their daily manager or colleague. Hopefully, though, if you invited people from your work life, you did so because you know they’ll have a fun time together and with the rest of your wedding guests.

If that’s not the case, you can seat your coworkers with a group of your close friends or high school friends. You can place your boss with a group of your parents’ friends or even with members of your extended family, depending on how the tables work out.

Parents’ Friends

Instead of stressing over this as a couple, let your parents take the reigns here—they’ll be happy to be involved. Trust us. They may even invite some of their closest friends to join them at their table. Either way, they’ll be the best judge of where to seat and how to group their attendees.

Additionally, you should also include your parents in any decisions about placing non-family members at family tables. If there are seats to fill at tables with your families, they’ll likely have an opinion about who should fill those places.

High School Friends

Depending on how many high school friends you invite to your wedding, they may take up a table of their own or you can likely combine forces with your partners’ friends from back in the day. However, if you don’t have enough old friends in attendance, find seats for them at tables with your college friends or even your coworkers. As always, consider personalities and interests. Presumably, though, anyone you put on your wedding guest list is there to celebrate you and your new spouse so there shouldn’t be any weirdness regardless of their setting assignment.

This group can go a number of ways. Typically, the vendors you'll include and feed at your reception include the DJ or band, your photographer(s) , and your wedding planner. Depending on your relationship with any other vendors, though, that could increase. If your wedding florist is a family friend, for example, you’ll, of course, include him or her, too.

In the case of vendors who don’t qualify as family friends, it’s best to simply ask each vendor what they would prefer. Many DJs will eat at their station because they usually play music during the cocktail hour and dinner. Similarly, wedding photographers are still on the clock. They may also prefer to grab a plate and eat somewhere quickly before getting back to work.

However, if you have a group of vendors that you would like to include in your wedding seating chart, offer them a table. If you are tight on space and need to fill in remaining seats, seat some friends or colleagues with them. Maybe you have a friend with an interest in photography or floral design—he or she could enjoy discussing these crafts with the experts behind your big day.

If you choose to include children at your wedding reception—and many people do—it’s best to consult your parents and the kids’ parents. These kids are likely your cousins so you can sit them with their parents at family tables. Alternatively, if you have a large number of kids in attendance, consider setting up a designated kids’ table. Have some crafts or activities at each place to keep everyone occupied.

Wedding Seating Chart Etiquette

As you plan your wedding seating chart, there are a few considerations to keep in mind while you’re placing all of your guests for your wedding day.

Think about past relationships and histories.

There will undoubtedly be a few wedding guests that share some kind of tense history—exes or old frenemies or even family members who don’t get along. Stay cognizant of these past relationships and be considerate when making your seating plan. Yes, it’s your day, but don’t throw people together who really don’t mesh. It will only create an awkwardness that you don’t want at your reception.

Avoid the singles’ table.

It’s tempting to throw single guests into a table with the hopes that they’ll mingle and maybe even match up throughout the night. However, try to skip the singles’ table altogether. It could be embarrassing for your guests once they realize where they landed on your wedding seating chart. Similarly, don’t place your unmarried friend at a table of married couples. Try to use your best judgment and make everyone feel comfortable.

Consider personalities and interests.

We touched on this before, but keep your guests’ personalities and interests top of mind as you create your wedding seating chart . Don’t sit your more subdued coworkers with your rowdy college friends, for example. It might take some more thought and a few last-minute shuffles to really accommodate all of your wedding guests, but, again, it’s all in the name of a stress-free and fun reception.

Ultimately, your wedding seating chart should create a fun and comfortable atmosphere. Don’t let the seating plan drive you crazy, though. This is your celebration, and your wedding guests will treat it as such, regardless.

Even more answers

• How You (Yes You) Can Plan Your Whole Wedding
• Wedding Planning 101: Ultimate Guide to Planning a Wedding
• Wedding Checklist for the Bride
• 4 Hacks to Make Wedding Planning Easier
• Pentecostal Wedding Guide
• Finding the Right Wedding Planning Community for You
• 8 Reasons You Should Join a Wedding Planning Community
• Guest List Timeline: When to Make Yours & When to Follow Up With Guests
• Planning a Wedding in Atlanta, Georgia: What to Know
• The Small Wedding Checklist You Need
• Vow Renewal Checklist

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• Wedding Seating

Wedding Planning Guide

How to create your wedding seating chart.

Everything you need to know about wedding seating chart etiquette and how to seat your guests at the reception.

• How to Create

By Minted | Last Updated: March 14, 2024

Congratulations on making it this far! You must have sent out your save the date cards and your elegant wedding invitations , checked and rechecked your budget spreadsheet, updated the details on your wedding website and so much more. You should be proud of yourself. While letting the guests’ responses trickle in, you can start thinking about the seating chart.

Creating a wedding seating chart may feel like a quick and easy task, but finding the right spot for each guest and a table arrangement that works well for your venue can be surprisingly time-consuming. In this article, we'll try to help clear up some wedding seating chart confusion and provide you with some tips to make this aspect of event planning a breeze!

Seating chart: "Someone Like You" by Design Lotus

How To Create Your Wedding Seating Chart

1. seat yourselves.

You and your new spouse will be the center of attention all evening, so seat yourselves in a central location where all your guests can see you. This is the first wedding seating chart etiquette to note.

One option would be to sit at a table with your wedding-party members (often called the "head table"), with your seats in the middle. Or, you could sit with your parents and let that be the head table, with the wedding party scattered at different tables with their dates.

Another popular option is to sit with your new spouse at a table reserved for just the two of you. This arrangement is often called a "sweetheart table."

Photo: Lauren Gabrielle

2. Seat the Wedding Party

Figuring out where to seat your wedding party members depends on how big your entourage is and how many of them attended the wedding with dates. Depending on your wedding party's size, one option would be to place all members at a long head table with the newlyweds positioned in the middle (as described in the previous step).

A drawback of this seating arrangement is that attendants' dates and spouses will have to sit at separate tables, which might not be ideal (separating dates and partners is never a good idea). A more preferred option would be to place wedding-party members at several VIP dinner tables near you and your new spouse.

Do you want to seat your guests based on how you know them or according to their interests? There is nothing wrong with placing your bridesmaids and groomsmen at tables with other guests around the reception. They'll have spent the first part of the day together, so it will be great for them to socialize with others.

3. Seat Parents and Grandparents

Wedding seating chart etiquette states that you and your partner's parents will share a table at the reception, along with grandparents, siblings not in the wedding party, and the officiant and their spouse if they're attending the reception. However, if either of you have divorced parents who would prefer to sit separately, a solution would be to have each parent host their own table of close family and friends.

This arrangement could mean up to four parents' tables, depending on your situation. You can also try seating them at the same rectangular table, but at opposite ends. If you're unsure of how to proceed, it's probably best to talk to your parents about what they might prefer before you make your final seating decisions.

4. Make Family Tables

When planning the seating assignments, consider placing geographically spread-out family at a table together. If you or your partner have large families that don't get together often enough, it might make everyone's night to sit together and catch up over food, drinks, and dancing. Family tables are also great for guests with multiple kids.

Photo: Vicki Grafton

5. Make a Kid's Table

Children are much more comfortable around other children (as opposed to adults), so if there will be kids at your wedding, seat them together at a separate kids' table. Provide activities and crafts at their table to keep them occupied. Entertaining the children means their parents can take a break and enjoy the festivities. If your flower girl and ring bearer are the only children present, seat them with their parents.

6. Mix and Match Guests

Weddings are for bringing people together and are the perfect opportunity for you to introduce friends and family who may not have met before. Mixing and matching guests in your arrangements can encourage friendships you've wanted to happen.

A bonus is that they'll already have common ground to bond over; you and your partner! Of course, if you're going to encourage connections even more, you can set out getting-to-know-you games or prompts at each table.

One of our favorite event planning tips is if you aren't sure where to place someone, ask. Do you have no idea where to seat your parents' friends? Let your folks arrange those tables. They'll be happy to be included in the process and to have a say in seating their pals.

Tips on Creating Wedding Seating Charts

1. start early..

Before all the RSVP responses come in, you can find inspiration from wedding blogs, social media, and your vendors for a seating chart design and layout that will fit your theme, colors, and venue.

You'll need to set your RSVP deadline for at least two to three weeks before the wedding. Once you have a better idea of how many guests you will have (and who they will be), you can start using a wedding seating chart website or app like Allseated . This tool is one of our favorite wedding planning services. It allows you to design your wedding layout to scale so you can envision where your guests will sit during your ceremony, or at your wedding reception.

2. Spreadsheets will save your life.

Use a spreadsheet to track RSVPs as they come in. If you are using Minted’s online RSVP on the wedding website , export the list from the website. Next, insert a column into your RSVP spreadsheet categorizing and color-coding all guests by relationship. Color coding is an easy way to visually sort your guest list and break it down into more logical table groupings.

If you work based on the invitation list, don't forget to remove the guests that can't attend from the spreadsheet who can't attend, and make sure to add in plus-ones!

"Love Story" escort cards by Liz Conley Photo: M Place Productions

3. Finalize the reception layout.

Once you have a finalized headcount and the square footage of your dining area, it’s time to start drawing up your layout. Work with your caterer/venue to figure out the most optimal table layout, so guests won’t be bumping into each other and servers can easily cater to each guest. Maximizing the space means guests won't feel crowded, and servers will have enough space to cater to each guest efficiently.

Another consideration is the table shape. Round tables are the standard option. This shape is also the easiest to work with since you'll only need to consider who each guest will sit next to on their right and left sides. Longer rectangular tables take a bit more planning to figure out how to seat guests, as there are guests to the left, right, and across from you.

4. Physically Map Out Wedding Seating.

If you are struggling with settling on a layout or would prefer to plan on paper rather than using a wedding seating chart app or website, physically mapping out your wedding seating using sticky notes on a piece of paper is a great alternative.

You can color code them using the method described above (and start making them as you send out invitations). Pro tip: use scaled paper cut-outs to visualize the tables. This way, you can move everyone around the room as you consider space, photography, and aesthetics.

"Field" table number by Toast & Laurel Photo: Ryan Ray

5. Bring Seating Charts.

The final step is to figure out how you'll tell guests where they're seated. Tented escort cards—individually printed with each guest's name and table number—is a simple way to do it.

Carefully arranged escort cards are a great photography moment, too! Or, you could get creative with more prominent seating-assignment signs or charts. Use your creativity to look for some escort card inspirations .

Arrange guests' names in alphabetical order by last name, so folks can easily find their table assignment. Also, be sure to use a large, readable font, so there's no confusion.

Do you want to ensure that each of your guests gets a nice photo at your wedding? Set up a station with your photographer so guests can collect their cards and have their picture taken before the festivities begin.

Check out our favorite seating chart ideas !

Photo: Jessa Schifilliti

6. Share Your Wedding Seating With Your Vendors.

Event planning can be stressful, but that is why it is critical to work with vendors to help you achieve your goals! Keeping everyone in the loop is essential as you set seating assignments, so be sure to share your wedding seating chart with the vendors working on catering, music, location, and photography. Once you have physically mapped everything out, share it with your team. If you have a physical drawing, take a picture or scan it. If you're using an app or website, you can share the link with your team or invite them to view it with a few clicks.

No one knows the space better than your venue hosts. Ask your venue about what has previously worked in the space, or what definitely won't fit, check with them.

Photo: Jenna Greenawalt Photography

WEDDING SEATING CHART FAQs

Should a seating chart list names alphabetically by guests' first names or last names.

For clarity and ease, it's best to arrange guests’ names in alphabetical order by last name, followed by his or her assigned table number. Resist the urge to group guests by table, that will take guests a very long time to find their name and will result in a bottleneck as guests crowd around to get their table assignment.

Who sits at the head table at a wedding?

The "head table" refers to the table where the newlyweds will be sitting. You could decide to sit with your new spouse at a table just for two, which is sometimes called a "sweetheart table." If you prefer to sit with your guests, you could sit with your wedding-party members (with you and your new spouse positioned in the center) and designate that table as the head table. Or, you could opt to sit with your parents and let that be the head table.

Does the bride sit to the right of the groom?

Traditionally, the bride sits to the right of the groom. However, if you are not worried about keeping things traditional, you and your partner should feel free to sit however you want to! Chances are, you won't be spending too much time seated anyway.

Do the parents of the bride and groom sit together?

This all depends on your family situation, but traditionally, your parents and your partner's parents would share a table at the wedding reception. Additional VIPs would also be seated at the same table, like grandparents, siblings who aren't already in the wedding party, and other close family friends.

However, if your or your partner's parents would prefer to sit separately, then each set of parents could host their own table of close family members and friends; the same applies if your or your partner's parents are divorced—each parent could similarly host their own reception table. But if you're truly stumped about where to seat your parents, it's best to talk with them directly to find out what they would prefer.

Do the bridesmaids and groomsmen sit together?

At many weddings, the wedding party sits together, either at a table with the newlyweds or nearby (this also depends on how big your wedding party is!). In the end, you know your guests best, and there are no hard rules for where everyone should sit.

What's the difference between an escort card and a place card?

These small, tented cards look very similar but serve two different purposes. Escort cards are printed with a wedding guest's name and their table number assignment. This card lets the guest know which table they will be sitting at. Place cards are printed with just the guest's name and indicates which seat at the table has been assigned to them.

Related Articles

HOW TO CREATE UNIQUE ESCORT CARD DISPLAYS

Creative ways to display your escort cards to help direct guests. Read more .

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR WEDDING VENUE

A comprehensive list of questions to ask a wedding venue. Read more .

WEDDING SEATING CHART IDEAS

Creative ideas and beatiful templates for your wedding seating chart. Read more .

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20 Unique Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For Your Big Day

In this post, we’ll talk all about seating charts for wedding planning, as well as answer common questions about how to create an easy-peasy wedding seating plan.

In our recent post about escort cards & place cards, we raised the point that I will (roughly) quote:

“In a perfect world, an open table arrangement would be fabulous. BUT, what if you have family members who can’t sit next to each other and be trusted to behave like civilized adults?” L&L Staff Writer

Place cards (or, in this case, seating charts) will ensure everyone gets the spot you laid out while you were  very carefully  planning seating arrangements. And we’ll all live happily ever after.

This is true, but it isn’t the only way a wedding seating chart can be your best friend, and it isn’t the only reason you should use one. Let’s dive in to some unique wedding seating chart ideas we’re sure you’ll want to use!

What is the purpose of a seating chart?

What type of wedding would need one, our opinion on wedding seating charts, traditional seating chart ideas, round table arrangement, banquet style seating, family table, themed tables, picture perfect, signpost seating, start early, consider relationships and dynamics, balance the tables, accommodate special needs and preferences, use common sense, be mindful of design and presentation, escort card vs. place card vs. seating chart glad you asked…, creative wedding seating chart ideas, places, everyone, do i need a seating chart for my wedding.

Yes! No. Well, maybe. It all depends. Let’s discuss!

The seating chart at a wedding serves a vital purpose. It allows guests to find their seats quickly and avoids any confusion or chaos during the reception. Moreover, a well-thought-out seating plan ensures that guests feel comfortable and can easily engage in conversations with those seated nearby. Let’s delve into some unique and practical ideas for creating a wedding seating chart that will make your guests feel welcome and enhance the overall experience.

Seating charts are designed to direct your guests to an assigned table during the reception. In contrast, at the wedding ceremony an usher will typically escort guests to a seat. A seating chart a more comprehensive version of an escort card, where each guest receives their own cards directing them to their table.

Either way, once your guest finds his or her table, they’ll find a place card indicating specifically which seat they’ll occupy. 

Any wedding could opt to use a seating chart if they so choose, but they’re very common for large weddings or very formal weddings. It’s much easier for guests to navigate a ballroom with dozens of rectangular tables worth of people if they know where they’re headed! It also helps everyone get to their seats faster if you’re working with a set schedule for toasts, dinner courses, etc. 

Aside from helping avoid confusion for your guests, using a seating chart is a great way to keep them more comfortable socially. Perhaps you have honored guests, older guests, or even old college friends that you want to seat at a particular table.

It’s considerate to seat families and groups of friends together to avoid awkward small talk (or worse, awkward silence!) with people at the table they don’t know yet.

If that’s unavoidable, it’s all good! Seat your most outgoing, social peeps with those who may not know too many people at the venue (yet!) to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Conversely, a seating chart is a fantastic way to introduce family and friends who don’t know each other yet but you know will hit it off smashingly!

In the end, the point is to make sure everyone has a good time. With a well-planned seating chart, you’re just giving the party a little push in the right direction. 

Creative or Traditional?

If you prefer a more traditional approach, there are several tried-and-true seating chart ideas to consider. One classic option is assigned seating , where each guest has a specific designated seat. This provides structure and avoids any confusion, especially when it comes to larger wedding celebrations. Another traditional method is alphabetical arrangement , where tables are labeled with letters corresponding to each guest’s last name. This makes it easy for guests to locate their assigned table quickly.

For a more intimate and familial atmosphere, you may opt for family-style seating . This arrangement involves grouping guests together based on their relationship or affiliation, such as close friends, immediate family members, or colleagues. It encourages a sense of togetherness and can lead to more enjoyable conversations among guests who already know each other.

Traditional Seating Chart Styles

One classic seating chart style is the round table arrangement. This layout encourages conversation and creates an intimate atmosphere. Guests are seated at round tables, typically accommodating 8 to 10 people. This setup works well for smaller weddings and allows guests to interact easily.

If you have a larger guest list, banquet style seating might be the way to go. Long rectangular tables are arranged parallel to each other, creating a grand and elegant atmosphere. This setup promotes a sense of togetherness and enables guests to engage in lively conversations across the table.

For a more intimate and family-oriented seating arrangement, consider having a family table. This option brings immediate family members together, allowing them to share special moments during the reception. It creates a cozy and warm atmosphere, fostering a sense of unity and celebration.

The head table is a prominent feature at many weddings, especially for the wedding party and close family members. Typically, the head table is placed at the front, facing the guests. This arrangement allows the couple and their loved ones to be the focal point of the room, ensuring everyone feels involved and connected.

Creative Seating Chart Ideas

Now, let’s get creative with some unique seating chart ideas that will leave a lasting impression on your guests:

If you and your partner share a love for travel, why not name your tables after different cities or countries? You could display small flags or landmarks as table markers, allowing guests to find their designated spots. It’s a fantastic way to showcase your interests and spark conversations among guests.

Instead of traditional escort cards, consider using photos of your guests as a personal touch. Display the pictures on a beautifully decorated board, along with the corresponding table numbers. This not only adds a sentimental touch but also helps guests find their seats effortlessly.

Create a whimsical seating chart by using a vintage signpost. Each sign can represent a table and point guests in the right direction. Add fun and quirky captions to make it even more delightful. This idea adds a touch of charm and ensures that guests find their seats with a smile.

Tips for Creating a Stress-Free Seating Plan

Planning your seating chart can be a daunting task, but fear not! Here are some handy tips to make the process a breeze:

Begin working on your seating chart well in advance. Give yourself ample time to gather guest RSVPs and consider any special seating requests. Starting early allows you to avoid last-minute stress and ensures that you have enough time to make adjustments if needed.

Take into account the relationships and dynamics among your guests. Consider seating people who know each other or have similar interests at the same table. This will foster a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone. Avoid seating guests who may not get along or have had past conflicts together to prevent any potential awkwardness.

When assigning seats, strive for a balanced mix of personalities and demographics at each table. Aim for a blend of extroverted and introverted individuals, different age groups, and a mix of family and friends. This helps to create a dynamic and inclusive environment where everyone feels connected and engaged.

Be mindful of any special needs or preferences your guests may have. Take into consideration dietary restrictions, accessibility requirements, or seating arrangements for elderly guests or children. Making these accommodations shows thoughtfulness and ensures that everyone feels comfortable and included.

How Do I Make a Seating Chart for My Wedding?

Sounds cheeky, but when it comes to seating a bunch of people together in one place, the best course of action is to think about who they are, what they’re about, and if there’s *ahem*  history  between any of them. Like we said above, plan with the goal of keeping everyone comfortable and having fun. 

Also, if you’re sticking to a traditional seating layout, plan to seat your immediate families nearest you according to “head table” etiquette. 

We’re not here to tell you how to decorate your own wedding – we’ll leave that for a pushy relative or two who can’t mind their business. (You know who you are.)

No, we’re simply pointing out that a seating chart can be elevated to a true thing of beauty as one of many parts of your wedding experience. When matched with your wedding colors and theme, it plays an integral part in the aesthetic.

The same is true for how you choose to display your seating chart. Whether you prefer a simple, classic easel or an unconventional medium like hanging cards on an intricate frame, it should be a reflection of your style! 

Simply put, an escort card is designed for an individual guest, with their name and table number. A place card is the card waiting at the guest’s seat with their name, and often food preference if you’re serving a plated meal. A seating chart is like an escort card, but everyone’s seating arrangements are all listed on one large chart or unique display. 

The best way to answer this question is to show you, honestly, so go have a look at our  Unique Escort Cards and Place Cards  article. But beware: they’re really pretty, so you may get a little wedding-happy and decide you want ALL the seating things. 

But that’s not why you are here.

And, without further ado….

This stylish wedding seating chart is well balanced to the eye, particularly from a distance. It would make an excellent accessory for a wedding with a styled, high-contrast design aesthetic.

It comes in a choice of six vibrant colors to match plenty of wedding color themes, two silhouettes, and two size choices. A large standing easel is available as an add-on purchase for display. 

Dimensions:  16 x 20 inches or 18 x 24 inches

Printing:  Standard

Card Type:  Flat Card

• It's casual but not too casual.
• Perfect for an indoor evening affair.
• The color themes are so playful!

We love the glamorous design of this seating chart display! The border, fonts, and subtle color themes Whether you’re doing a vintage, art-deco, or formal wedding theme, the border, fonts, and subtle color themes will fit in perfectly. 

It comes in two silhouette and size options, and a large standing easel is available as an add-on for display. 

Dimensions : 16 x 20 inches or 18 x 24 inches

• It's customizable right down to the paper stock.
• So many display options!
• That offset border is a great touch.

Romantic bohemian weddings are a fave around here, so this elegant seating chart with foliage borders and the flowy feminine font was right up our alley. This is another seating chart design where a color change can completely reinvent the theme! Scroll through the seven color choices, and you’ll see what we mean.

This seating chart comes in two silhouette and size options, and Minted offers an add-on large standing easel for the seating chart display. 

Printing:  Standard

Card Type:  Flat Card 

• Different color choices=endless theme possibilities.
• Love the border's dramatic flair.
• The matching wedding stationery is fantastic!

We like the functional, no-fuss vibe of this seating chart. It would be perfect for the come-as-you-are casual receptions popping up with more frequency these days.

You know, the ones with the delicious craft pizza and burger stations and icy buckets of microbrews?

If this is you, feel free to drop us an invite! If you have no idea what we’re talking about, check out our mega-guide to weddings on a budget. 

Note: This seating chart is customized to your wishes and sent via a digital file. You won’t receive a finished, printed product. This gives you the freedom to choose where you’d like to print and on what card stock. 

Dimensions:  20 x 16″, 24 x 18″, 30 x 20″, or 36 x 24″

Card Type:  PDF, JPEG Digital File

• The design is so much fun!
• Printable wedding templates are so affordable.
• Easy-edit for guest list changes.

This seating chart is the cutest thing! The little vine and heart give it such a rustic/vintage aesthetic against the chalkboard background, and the font evokes a “happily ever after”…without actually saying “happily ever after.” (Unless that’s what you want it to say). Anyway.

It’s super easy to create, too! Purchase the template, then you’ll receive an email with a link to the editing site. Create your sign as you wish by choosing your font, colors, size, etc. Save, download, then print. 

Dimensions:  18″ x 24″ or 24″ x 36″

Printing:  PDF/JPEG Digital Download

• Chalkboard signs are so vintage-chic
• Again, printable=easy on the budget.
• That little heart is adorable!

Weddings are branching out from the traditional. It’s only natural that reception decor should follow, and that includes creative seating chart designs. The clean, crisp look of this acrylic chart is so elegant we absolutely love it, especially with the back-lighting! (SO gorgeous.)

The folks at ScriptedEverAfter will work with you to match the font from your wedding stationery suite to the seating chart if you want to. If not, you can choose the font you like best.

All you have to do is send them your guest list, specify who sits where, and prepare for the onslaught of compliments on how awesome it is!

Dimensions:  17 x 28 inches or 24 x 36 inches

Printing:  UV Printed Acrylic

• Comes in four sizes to complement your space.
• Looks great no matter where you put it or how you hang it.
• Acrylic is such an original choice!

Another amazing example of how modern wedding seating charts are becoming new and interesting accents to receptions everywhere. Send your guest list and mirror size to LoveStoreyWeddings, and they’ll create the perfect design using your calligraphy or script choice.

You receive your decals, watch the video tutorial for how to apply them, and create your perfect seating chart.

Note:  Since placing the decals correctly is a delicate process that takes a lot of skill, it’s recommended that you watch the application tutorial before you order the decals to make sure you’re up for it. We’re sure the rewards will far outweigh the effort! Black, silver, and gold fonts also available.

• Every single font is beautiful
• It's the perfect way to repurpose an old mirror
• Everyone loves a good DIY project

Elegant and sweet, we think you really can't go wrong with botanical flair in any wedding style! This simple design dusted with delicate foliage comes in eight color themes, two sizes, and two silhouettes.

Dimensions: 16 x 20 inches or 18 x 24 inches

Printing: Standard

Card Type: Flat Card

• Every color theme is just gorgeous.
• We love the graceful font!
• The matching suite is just as dreamy.

What better way to send your guests to their seats than ready to raise a toast? You can attach a name and seat number to each glass in so many creative ways here, including writing them right on the glass for your guests to keep as a favor. When the festivities are over, take it home for an original addition to your home bar decor.

• So creative!
• Everyone loves a multitasker.
• Champagne! Enough said.

This fun watercolor seating chart is such an original way to show your guests to their table! If you're having a destination wedding or are expecting lots of friends and family coming from far-away destinations, it'll make everyone feel welcome and loved.

Dimensions: 36" x 48"

Printing: PDF/JPEG Digital Download

• Hand-painted design.
• Fonts, colors, and layout is customizable.
• You'll get lots of compliments on it!

We envision this design featured in a casual, modern indoor art gallery or museum wedding, but it's so versatile that it would match any decor. It's also a fantastic option if you want the perfect balance between DIY and custom service. All you have to do is customize the template with names and table numbers (you can add font for a greeting, too), and they'll print it on quality posterboard up to 60" large.

Dimensions:

Portrait: 4" x 6", 5" x 7", 8" x 10", 8" x 12", 8.5" x 11", 11" x 14", 12" x 16", 12" x 36", 13" x 19", 16" x 20", 18" x 24", 20" x 24", 20" x 28", and you can also choose your own size

Landscape: 6" x 4", 7" x 5", 10" x 8", 11" x 8.5", 12" x 8", 14" x 11", 16" x 12", 19" x 13", 20" x 16", 24" x 18", 24" x 20", 28" x 20", 36" x 12", 36" x 24", and you can also choose your own size

Square: 6" x 6", 12" x 12", 24" x 24", and you can also choose your own size

• Sometimes less really is more.
• You design, they print and send.
• A matching wedding stationery suite is available.

Having a destination wedding? Are all your friends and family crossing great distances to be at your big day? We think travel-themed stationery is so cute, and this seating chart is a perfect example of why! This listing is for the template only; once you've finalized your design with HandsInTheAttic, it's ready to print on any medium you choose.

Dimensions: 24" x 36"

Printing: PDF Digital Download

• It really does look like a flight schedule board at the airport.
• Your guests will be talking about it for months.
• Frame it for a great addition to your bar/game room when the wedding's over.

What's an outdoor wedding without rustic decor?! This pretty board is the perfect choice for any outdoor soiree, but we envision it at a lovely country barn wedding. It's fully customizable with raised 3D lettering for an elegant flair. Size: 24" x 36" with three stain choices.

Materials: Wood, Stain

• It's super good quality.
• Each sign will be unique due to variations in the wood grain.
• All handcrafted with love.

Nothin' too fancy but elegant all the same, this is a unique take on the framed seating chart display. The set comes with a frame, twine, and clothespins for hanging your seating cards and photos (if you choose). Available in 14 finishes. Outside dimensions - 27" x 39". Inside dimensions - 24" x 36".

Dimensions: 27" x 39" (outside), 24" x 36" (inside)

Materials: Wooden Frame, Twine, Clothespins

• You can include photos for a personal touch.
• Comes in a generous variety of colors to match your decor.
• It's so charming!

This truly unique chart does double duty, featuring your fave fairy tale photo as the backdrop for your seating cards! When your guests remove their cards, your picture remains for later display at home. It comes in six sizes, with the largest holding up to 300 seating cards.

Materials: Canvas, Fabric, Ink, Cardstock, Adhesive

• It's the most unique board on this list.
• It's the perfect multitasker.
• You can use any frame you like that matches your decor.

If you're not planning a beach wedding, this sign may convince you otherwise! Each board is four ft. and is completely hand painted with chalkboard paint on wood. Customize your font color, design, and message.

• It's so much fun!
• It's a fantastic spin on a traditional chalkboard sign.
• Use it as a wall sign when the party's over.

For the ultimate modern wedding, these acrylic cubes feature a vinyl application and lettering to stand up to any weather (or handling by little hands from the kid's table) you throw at it. Comes in five text colors, and every background color you can dream up.

Materials: Acrylic, Vinyl, Paint, Lucite, Plexiglass

• Your guests will be super impressed.
• We love the modern flair.
• They're an amazing centerpiece for your guestbook/program table!

Talk about thinking outside of the box- this calendar is fully customizable and, with a few adjustments, will make the perfect seating chart for a smaller, more intimate wedding! It's laser engraved with your message and table numbers. Comes with 30 hearts and 30 circles to indicate your guests' names and seat numbers. Measures 15.5" in width & 4.5" in length. Comes in four colors and six designs.

Dimensions: 15.5" x 4.5"

Material: Wood

• It's perfect for a more intimate gathering.
• It's completely handmade.
• It's so rustic!

Fun and whimsical, this set includes a pack of 25 custom keychains fully personalized with your guests' names and seat numbers- all you do is find the perfect background board and hang them! We love this idea for a weekend destination wedding in a vegas hotel, but anywhere will do. Plus, they're a terrific party favor for your guests. The keychains are available in an unbelievable amount of color themes and eight ink colors.

Materials: Acrylic, Ink, Laser cut, Plastic

• Retro is always a favorite.
• We love multitaskers.
• So. Many. Colors.

Elegant beach weddings are a treat for everyone- you get to wed surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and your guests take a mini-vacay to the shore! We think these sea glass place "cards" are an excellent way to guide your guests to their seats, and they make a great keepsake long after the event is over. Stone sizes may vary between 1"-2.5" Comes in your choice of seven stone colors and five font colors.

Dimensions: Vary between 1"-2.5"

Materials: Glass, Paint

Colors: Aqua, Mint, Blush, Indigo, Frosted white, Olive, Dusty blue

Lettering colors: White, Black, Gold, Silver, or Copper

• Get creative with your display board!
• They're a beautiful addition to your beachy decor.
• We love anything your guests will want to take home!

Q1: How can I accommodate last-minute RSVPs in my seating chart?

A: Leave a few flexible spots at various tables or create a separate table specifically for last-minute additions. This allows you to easily adjust the seating plan without causing any disruptions.

Q2: Should I assign specific seats or just tables for my guests?

A: Assigning specific seats provides a more structured approach and ensures everyone has a designated place. However, if you prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, you can opt to assign tables and let guests choose their seats within those tables.

Q3: What should I do if there are guests who don’t know anyone else attending the wedding?

A: Consider seating them with friendly and outgoing individuals or at a table with guests who share similar interests. This helps break the ice and encourages conversation and connections.

Q4: Can I use a digital seating chart instead of a physical one?

A: Absolutely! Digital seating charts can be a convenient and environmentally friendly option. There are various online tools and apps available that allow you to create and manage your seating chart digitally.

Q5: What if some guests don’t follow the assigned seating?

A: While it’s impossible to control everyone’s behavior, providing clear signage and having ushers or wedding coordinators to guide guests to their designated seats can help minimize confusion. Remember, some guests may prefer to socialize and move around during the reception, so allow for a degree of flexibility.

Making your wedding guest list is exciting enough, but developing your seating plan is even more fun. You get to imagine your aunt Donna totally hitting it off with his cousin Brenda, or old friends mingling with new friends. Nothing is more satisfying than watching the people you love have a good time together.

Of course, that’s the whole point of a wedding reception. We hope yours is the best ever!

? Did you find this post useful? Then save THIS PIN below to your Wedding Planning board for later! ????

Really like the contrast between the settings. I especially like the pillow layout from the first picture.

the mismatched chairs and rustic, outdoor seating remind me of the mad hatter/tea party in Alice and Wonderland. also makes me think of a woodland fairy theme. cute!

When choosing from these creative ideas, if your guest list contains any people over the age of 50 you may want to rethink seating on the floor or other precarious positions that might prove to be embarrassing for the guest to get into and out of the seat.

Very fun mixing up the seating options. Check out what The French Bouquet came across on Green Wedding Shoes today. LOVE THIS! Hay bale seating; amazing for this wedding’s design and theme. The mismatched chair theme is a favorite for the vintage and retro look. Great post!!

http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-lydia-joshuas-backyard-wedding/

-Savannah The French Bouquet

great ideas for inspiration!

I LOVE the striped benches in the tent!!

Love all of these unique seating options – especially the blankets!

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Wedding Planning

Elena & Daniel: husband and wife team behind Love and Lavender. Read Our Story

Wedding   Seating Chart

Use our unique wedding seating chart tool to effortlessly plan the arrangement of your reception or ceremony.   Create your personalized wedding plan. No hidden fees!   No sign-up required!

How to Make a Seating Chart for a Wedding

Creating your own wedding floor plan has never been easier with our user-friendly free tool. Whether you’re organizing the seating chart for your reception, or the wedding ceremony, you’ll find our template makes the whole process so straightforward. And not just for marrying couples. Wedding venues, planners, and catering teams will all find our seating chart maker streamlines the entire planning experience. With food choices, allergies and specific requirements all displayed on the chart in a style that makes it quick to understand what is required.

How to Use Our Seating Chart Template to Build Your Own Arrangement

The beauty of our wedding table and ceremony seating chart tool, is that once your guest list is ready, you can simply import it onto our template. And quickly start placing guests in their correct positions, while dropping and dragging decor elements of your reception or ceremony. When you feel everyone is sitting in their appropriate places, you can simply download your seat map as a PDF. Ready to be sent to your caterer, venue, stationer, or whoever requires your guest seating information.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Our Seating Chart Maker

To help you get started with our seating chart tool, we thought we’d share a simple step-by-step guide.

• Upload your Excel guest list  to your private project, or manually add your guests.
• Open our wedding reception seating chart, and  browse the items already on the template .
• Click the ‘edit’ button  to open up the template.
• Click the ‘add element’ button and select straight wall  from the dropdown.
• Give your chart 4 surrounding walls , using the measurements from the floor plan provided by your wedding venue.
• Add any inner walls, columns or dividing walls using the dropdown.
• Place the relevant number of tables  required for your guests.
• Begin adding guests to each table  by clicking the circles with numbers inside, and  selecting a name from your guest list  on the right.
• Drop and drag the tables, and organize them using the ruler tool  and floor plan provided by your venue. Creating an accurate representation of the reception space.
• Decide on where the  dance floor, stage and any large reception decor items  will be.
• Add in miscellaneous decor,  safety points and utilities .
• Download your floor plan as a PDF , including or excluding different presentation options, which can be found in ‘Export Settings’.

Tick off this wedding planning task in your project, and start onto the next!

What is a Wedding Seating Chart?

Creating a seating chart for any kind of event (especially a wedding) makes the whole process of visualizing where guests will be positioned within a space, so much more straightforward. It allows you to take a list of names and turn it into an accurate depiction of how the room will actually look. This graphical representation is almost a must for any large-scale event, especially when organizing a something as grand, and important as a wedding.

Wedding Seating Chart Etiquette

Diplomacy is key when arranging wedding guests for a reception, or ceremony. Not all guests will know, get on with, or even like each other! Which is why it’s critical to think clearly, and carefully, about where each guest will be seated. Otherwise, you may end up with little pockets of anarchy, rather than a room full of celebrations!

Beyond dealing with any tricky relationships, it’s wise to consider family first when seating guests. For instance, yourselves, your parents and your partner’s parents should share a table at the reception, unless you opt for a sweetheart table for just the two of you.

Grandparents, siblings not in the wedding party, and the officiant and their spouse should also join the head table. That is assuming your parents aren’t divorced, which may mean you need to create another ‘head table’, which’ll allow parents to sit apart.

How to Arrange Wedding Guests

If you’re unsure of the personalities, or interests of all your guests, gather your close family together when preparing ideas for your seating layout. As they’ll be able to enlighten you on just what everyone is like. Getting a clear picture of who knows each other, and who will get along, is key to creating a harmonious reception.

A lot of your guests will not know each other well before sitting down together at the reception. This can be discouraging for some, but it often can’t be helped when arranging such a large number of people.

To help guests quickly spark up conversation with one another, consider the work, interests, and ages of loved ones when pairing people together. By thoughtfully matching guests up, you’ll quickly find that on the night they have lots in common. And that’ll hopefully avoid any awkward silences.

If you’re struggling to remember which guest should, or could go with another type of guest, consider starting a color coded system on your invite list. By having a multicolored excel template and a wedding seating chart maker such as ours, that allows you to easily incorporate colors into the template, you’ll be able to quickly match up compatible guests.

How to Organize Wedding Reception Tables

A massive benefit of using a seating scheme, is that it allows you to clearly see which type of table arrangement will work best for your reception. Rectangular and circular are the two most popular table shapes. But there are many others, such as family style, which is great for informal weddings. Or there’s the U shape design, an arrangement that lends itself to intimate celebrations.

Consider thoroughly the type of table arrangement you choose, as it will greatly affect the interactions guests can have with each other.

For instance, round tables are much-loved as they, depending on their size, allow all guests to interact with each other. Whereas rectangular tables, due to their long shape, often create two or more groups of guests. But, this shape of table is perfect if you have a large guest list, as it’ll allow you to fit numerous guests on one table, and not take up too much space within the room.

How to Organize Wedding Ceremony Seating

There are many ways you can configure your wedding ceremony seating chart , but typically the style you select will depend on how formal you want the occasion to be. And importantly, where it’ll be taking place. As some wedding ceremony venues, such as churches, will have set, structured seating in place.

If this is the case, then all you need to worry about is seating guests appropriately within the space. With VIP’s such as parents, grandparents, close family and the wedding party all sitting in the first and second rows. Typically, each family sits on either the left or the right-hand side of the marrying couple.

In the rows after immediate family and the wedding party, sits the rest of the guests, in order of importance or closeness to the couple. With this in mind, it’s good to use a wedding seating chart when planning your ceremony, as it helps to alleviate any confusion your guests may feel when they arrive. Unsure of exactly where, and which side they should be sitting on.

By having a clearly laid out seat map, you’ll also be able to evenly distribute your loved ones. Something couples often regret not doing when they look back at their pictures, and see big gaps of guests, or uneven spaces.

Organize people ahead of time using a wedding seating chart app or tool, and you’ll find the whole ceremony experience is a lot smoother.

How to Use a Wedding Seating Chart for your Reception

Starting any kind of project with a blank page is typically pretty daunting. Which is why we created our wedding seating chart template. A useful starting off point that shows straight away the types of elements usually included in a wedding reception, and a suggestion as to where guests could be placed. From there you’re free to customize as you wish.

The best place to start when assembling your wedding reception seating chart , is with the layout of your tables and chairs. As the style you choose will determine what else can be placed within the space, while also dictating the guest experience.

When deciding between table shapes, it’s important to reach out to your wedding venue, and request the full layout specifications of the reception space. That way you’ll know how much room you have, not just for tables, but also the dance floor, stage, decor elements etc.

When you’re ready to place guests at their tables, you’ll quickly realize how powerful a wedding seating chart tool can be. A huge advantage of our seating chart maker, in particular, is that it allows you to simply import your guest list spreadsheet from Excel, and then instantly place invitees at their appropriate tables.

Before, or after guests are positioned on the floor plan, you can personalize their avatars to better represent each guests’ individuality. For example, you can highlight the age group each guest is in, such as adult, teen, or infant. Following that, you can signify skin color, gender, and which side of the couple invited them — this final selection automatically gives avatars a signifying color.

Once guests are seated around the tables, and you’re happy with the arrangement, it’s time to place the rest of your decor! With our online wedding seating chart tool, you can drop and drag all the major focal points and elements you’d expect to find at a wedding reception right onto your chart!

To get you started, our template features items most couples would consider standard, such as a dance floor, stage, and restrooms. So all you have to think about is adding the fun stuff! Like smoke machines, DJ booths and your cake table!

Why a Wedding Seating Chart is Such a Useful Tool

Every guest is different, and when planning a wedding with lots of loved ones, that can lead to confusion. Food choices and intolerances are the perfect example, as each of your guests will likely need to choose their main course and could potentially be allergic to something on the menu. This information is vital for those in your catering team, and should be presented in a style that can be understood quickly by them.

By having a clear seating scheme for your reception, with all the important information about each guest clearly visible, the organization of your wedding will run a lot smoother than without.

Moreover, by utilizing the seating chart, it becomes effortless to create table seating cards for each layout's table. Afterward, you can produce an attractive grid of cards and display them on the wall, aiding guests in finding their designated places with ease.

This is an example of how the final result will look.

Table numbers will be automatically generated based on the table layout, and of course you can customize design.

Name cards are also automatically generated based on the seating layout.

With our free wedding seating chart template, you can quickly and easily download your finished board using whichever details you need it to feature. Meaning, individual seating charts can be created for each of your respective vendors. Eliminating any confusion between them.

The Benefits of an Online Wedding Seating Chart Maker

When planning a wedding, at the very least, there will be two people organizing things (hopefully!). But typically, a wedding is not simply planned by the marrying couple. Mom, Dad, best friends, brothers, and sisters are all usually drafted onto the big day team to help in some way.

What’s great about using an online wedding seating chart, such as ours, is that everyone can share their input in real-time.

Wedding Planning Assistant is an online, cloud-based tool that helps couples plan every aspect of their celebration, not just their seating arrangement. From creating a free wedding website, to organizing a checklist and preparing place cards – you can do it all on our site, for free!

Each member of your wedding team, including planners and vendors, can be provided access to your online project. Anyone can get involved, whenever and wherever works best for them. Helping you to throw the best wedding ever!

When it comes to the seating chart for your wedding, being online, with all the information synchronized in real-time, is a game changer. For instance, whenever there’s an update to your guest list, anyone on your team will instantly be able to see it.

Maybe Mom has finally got an RSVP from your cousin in London, and has now found out she’s gone vegan. Mom can easily update that guests’ RSVP status, adding in her dietary requirements and potentially the meal choice too.

Having a wedding seating chart that’s online and instantly updatable by your whole team, stops anything being forgotten, and helps everyone stay on the same page, at all times. Key when trying to organize such a large group of people, each with needs and desires.

Ensure that Everything Fits in the Room Without Estimating

Experimenting with a seating chart, placing guests around tables and dropping elements of decor is fun. But without real-world measurements, there’s no way of knowing if your table design will actually fit within the space. Which would be a disaster!

Thankfully, our wedding seating chart tool allows you to easily, and accurately construct a scaled down version of your reception room. While also giving you the ability to precisely measure just how far each element (table, stage, large piece of decor) actually is from one another.

Then, once you’ve mapped out exactly where everything should be, there’s no need to worry about scaling your wedding table seating chart to fit on a poster board. Because our tool will automatically scale your plan to fit on either a portrait or landscape A1 page. The perfect size for your caterers, planners, venue or yourselves to print it out on .

All the key information will be visible, and you’ll get a clear feel for how the space will actually look.

Export Your Wedding Seating Chart Template to Excel

To serve your wedding guests successfully, your vendors will need as much information as possible, and have it displayed in a format that works for them. Usually, a wedding seating chart will work perfectly for them, as it’ll allow them to explore the room and get a fantastic overview of your guests.

But occasionally, it’s more useful for vendors to scan through a list of your guests, and filter out the information they require. And that’s precisely what our wedding seating chart template can do, with its export to Excel function via your guest list! This straightforward to use tool allows you to download your full list of guests, with all the information clearly laid out in pre-formatted columns.

Your caterer will love how easy it is to access the information they need about each of your guests, and it’ll (almost) eliminate any possibility of mistakes in service. But it’s not only your caterer who will benefit greatly from having your wedding seating chart template exported to Excel . Your planner, coordinator, and your wedding stationers will all do better at their jobs with this function.

Create Your Wedding Seating Chart Poster in No Time

Couples typically find piecing together their guest list and the seating assignment the most time-consuming, and arduous tasks during wedding planning. And we understand why! It’s hard to pick and choose who, and who not to invite to your wedding. But this painful task has to be done. And while we can’t make the job emotionally easier to deal with, we can make its operation, and subsequent application onto the seating chart, seamless.

From the moment you receive your first RSVP, to exporting the finished floor plan, you’ll wonder how else you could’ve got the job done. Couples often start their reception, and potentially wedding ceremony seating chart roughly 3 weeks before the big day. Once all the RSVP’s have been received.

By hand, pen on paper, this task can take days. And involve countless do-overs, scribbling out and frustrated nights. But when putting together a wedding seating chart using an online tool, you remove all of that stress.

Suddenly, late RSVPs can be easily dropped and dragged into position. Table configurations can be altered at the click of a button, and you’ll instantly get a full picture of how your reception, or ceremony will look as soon as your guest list is uploaded.

Every guests’ icon can be quickly customized to represent their gender, race, or age bracket. While color coding is also available, allowing you to easily mark people according to their jobs, interests, or personality type. A huge advantage when attempting to pair up single guests, or create a harmonious table.

The entire process of using our wedding seating chart maker has been designed to be accessible. Easy for all to use. Meaning, no matter your experience level with online tools, you’ll be able to create a professional wedding seating chart board in much less time than it would to piece it together on paper, DIY style. And when planning a wedding, if any task can be made easier or quicker, that’s a massive plus!

Professional Seating Chart App Designed for Couples & Vendors

All the tools available on Wedding Planning Assistant have been designed thoughtfully, with both engaged couples, and professional vendors in mind.

Created to be useful to those busy planning their big day, in need of templates to help them work out their budget, or somewhere simple to build a wedding website.

While also being invaluable to wedding professionals who require a space to create a seat map, find other vendors and share their work with clients.

Sharing is a key part of why couples love creating not just their wedding seating chart with us, but many of the other vital parts involved in planning a big day. Because our platform has been designed to be collaborative. A place to build something together, with family, friends, but also wedding professionals.

If you’re at the very beginning stages of wedding planning, and you’ve recently hired a planner, or coordinator to help you put things together. You’ll understand how vital communication is when trying to keep things on schedule. Without regular check-in’s and confirmations, things can get forgotten, and a once well-planned timeline can begin to slide.

Avoid over-running your schedule, and always be up-to-date with what your planner is doing, by creating a project together on Wedding Planning Assistant. And our wedding seating chart app offers the perfect example for why you should.

This task in particular is typically completed within the final stages of wedding planning, and the process usually goes through many iterations before it’s ready. These last couple of weeks are frequently a stressful time for couples, with guests often sending RSVPs back at different times, dropping out last minute, or suddenly requesting special requirements. It’s a lot to deal with and can be hard to keep track, especially when you have a planner or coordinator who also needs updating.

Source: video example how to create seating chart

By using our online wedding table seating chart , you’ll be able to keep your whole team in the loop, including professionals, at all times. As soon as someone confirms their attendance, you or your planner can place them in the appropriate place on the seating scheme. Along with their unique set of requirements. Nobody skips a beat, nothing gets forgotten.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Our wedding seating chart is an incredible reference to have when wedding planning, and your vendors will love its usability. But on the day, your guests will need something that’ll show them where their seats are. And there are so many ways you can present your reception plan that’ll not only coordinate nicely with your theme, but also delight your guests.

After only a quick Google search for wedding seating chart ideas , we’re sure you’ll discover a limitless amount of inspiration for your reception, or ceremony. And that’s without even looking at Pinterest! Having such a wealth of decor ideas at your fingertips can be a massive bonus when trying to find the perfect look. But it can also become a little confusing.

Our advice is to start, and concentrate on functionality. First and foremost, your wedding seating chart is there to direct guests to their place. It needs to be clear, obvious and enable loved ones to find their name and corresponding table in seconds. If not, you may end up with a lot of confused guests and a bit of a bottleneck, as people desperately try to find their name on the board .

Typically, the best way to avoid having lost guests is to simply list out your tables in numerical order, with the names of each guest under their corresponding table number. Whether you’ve got three tables or twenty tables, this system works. As does listing guests alphabetically, alongside their table number.

As long as the sign is big enough, and the font is clear. An A1 size board is typically a good size, but it will depend on your space and the number of tables/guests.

Once you’ve formatted the reception plan, found a font that works and maybe added a background or floral element. It’s time to find a pretty frame, an easel, and set it up somewhere guests will spot it easily.

Floor plan creator

Seating plan, seating arrangement, seating diagram, seating layout, seating scheme, seating assignment, seating chart generator, digital seating chart, electronic seating arrangement, seating chart builder.

Build your wedding seating chart effortlessly with our intuitive wedding seating chart builder.

The Wedding seating chart builder , along with all the accompanying tools on the Wedding Planning Assistant, have been meticulously designed to cater to the needs of engaged couples and professional vendors alike.

The seating chart builder empowers you to effortlessly create and customize your wedding seating chart. This intuitive tool provides a user-friendly interface where you can easily drag and drop tables, arrange seats, and assign guests with just a few clicks. With the seating chart builder , you have the flexibility to experiment with different layouts, seating arrangements, and guest assignments until you achieve the perfect seating plan for your special day. Simplify the process of designing your seating chart and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for your wedding guests with this powerful tool.

The floor plan creator is an essential tool that allows you to visualize and design the layout of your wedding venue. With this innovative tool, you can easily map out the arrangement of tables, dance floor, decorations, and other elements to create a comprehensive floor plan that aligns perfectly with your vision.

Crafting a well-organized seating plan is crucial for ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for your wedding guests. The seating plan tool enables you to assign guests to specific tables, strategically grouping them based on relationships, preferences, or any other criteria you choose. With this tool, you can easily create a seating plan that maximizes comfort, interaction, and overall guest satisfaction.

The seating arrangement feature allows you to arrange individual seats within each table of your wedding reception. With this tool, you can precisely position and assign seats to ensure optimal seating arrangements for your guests. Whether you prefer a traditional or alternative seating arrangement , this tool provides the flexibility to accommodate your unique preferences and guest dynamics.

Visualize your wedding seating arrangements with ease using the seating diagram tool. This tool generates a clear and comprehensive diagram that illustrates the seating layout of your venue. It helps you visualize the relationships between tables, seating positions, and the overall flow of your reception space, ensuring that every guest has a designated place in your seating plan.

The seat chart tool assists you in creating a detailed chart that displays the seating positions of individual guests at each table. This tool allows you to assign specific seats to guests, providing a precise and organized representation of your seating plan. Utilize the seat chart tool to efficiently manage guest seating and ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for everyone.

With the seat map tool , you can generate an interactive map that showcases the seating arrangement in your wedding venue. This tool allows you to view the layout of tables, designated seating positions, and even provides additional information about each seat if desired. Use the seat map to assist guests in locating their assigned seats easily and efficiently navigate your reception space.

Designing the perfect seating layout is made effortless with the seating layout tool. This feature enables you to create a visual representation of your desired seating arrangement , illustrating the arrangement of tables, chairs, and any additional elements. With this tool, you can experiment with different seating configurations until you achieve the ideal layout for your wedding reception.

The seating scheme tool provides a systematic approach to planning your wedding seating arrangements. With this feature, you can organize and allocate guests to tables, ensuring a harmonious blend of relationships and preferences. The seating scheme tool offers flexibility and efficiency in creating a well-balanced and enjoyable seating plan for your special day.

Efficiently manage guest seating assignments with the seating assignment tool. This tool enables you to assign specific guests to designated seats or tables, ensuring a personalized and organized seating plan. With the seating assignment feature, you can effortlessly accommodate individual preferences, relationships, or any other criteria to create a memorable and enjoyable seating arrangement for your wedding guests.

The seating chart generator is a dynamic tool that effortlessly creates personalized seating charts for your wedding or event. With its intuitive interface, you can quickly input guest information, designate table layouts, and optimize seating arrangements. Whether you prefer traditional or unique seating styles, the seating chart generator allows you to experiment and refine until you achieve the perfect arrangement. Save time and eliminate stress as this powerful tool streamlines the seating planning process, ensuring a harmonious and enjoyable experience for your guests. Create a seamless seating chart with ease using the seating chart generator , and make your special occasion truly memorable.

A digital seating chart refers to a virtual or electronic representation of the seating arrangement for an event, such as a wedding, conference, or performance. Instead of using traditional paper charts or physical table layouts, a digital seating chart is created and managed using software or online tools.

Overall, a digital seating chart streamlines the process of planning and organizing seating arrangements, making it more flexible, efficient, and convenient for event organizers and attendees alike.

An electronic seating arrangement , also known as a digital seating plan or electronic seating chart, refers to the use of technology to create, manage, and organize the seating layout for events, gatherings, or venues. Instead of using traditional paper-based seating charts or physical diagrams, an electronic seating arrangement is created and manipulated using software, applications, or online tools.

Electronic seating arrangements are particularly useful for events with large numbers of attendees, such as weddings, conferences, banquets, and performances. They offer a modern and efficient way to manage seating logistics and enhance the overall event planning experience.

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Andy Hammond

Wedding expert and writer working for wedding industry

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The online Wedding Planning Assistant comprises a comprehensive collection of professional tools designed to assist you in independently organizing your celebration seating chart.

We offer an international wedding planner service , open to all. Soon we hope to make our software available in all languages, so far, we have created versions for these languages:

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6 Simple Rules for Planning the Perfect Wedding Seating Chart

Wedding Etiquette | July 6, 2018

How much thought have you put into your wedding seating arrangements?

If you’re having a small wedding and reception , you’ll have an easier go at planning (and can probably wing it when it comes to assigning spots). Once your guest list grows to more than 50 people, though, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by determining your seating arrangements ahead of time , because:

• People usually feel more comfortable knowing where to go in advance.
• With guests heading where you tell them, the reception can “flow” more easily.
• In scenarios where two or more guests don’t get along, assigned seats allow you to keep them separated.
• Seating charts allow you to fill your reception tables to their max.
• If you’re using a catering service, assigned seats help the staff do their job of serving food and help cut down on potential food mishaps .

Creating a reception seating chart is the best way to tackle your guest arrangements , but there’s one catch: any seating choices you make will be near the end (and busiest stretch) of your wedding planning phases .

Once your guests return long-awaited RSVPs, you might find yourself scrambling to get things done. With the right perspective (and a bit of know-how), it can be more enjoyable than it is stressful!

1. Start Preparing for Your Wedding Seating Chart Immediately

Holding off on deciding your seating arrangements can cause unnecessary complications, so we recommend getting it done two months ahead of the wedding .

As we mentioned before, you won’t be able to make definitive seating arrangements until you know who will attend your wedding. Set yourself up for success by including an RSVP-by date on your wedding invitations – this will give you plenty of time to plan.

Make it easy for your prospective guests to respond (by email, text, or even social media) so you get those replies quickly, and, if push comes to shove, prompt your guests for an answer :

“The best you can do is to check in with them. With a focus on your excitement at seeing them (rather than number-crunching), ask if they think they’ll be able to make it. You might get answers more quickly this way.”

The earlier you can get those responses, the better. Only with your guest list in hand can you begin the hard work of finalizing your wedding seating!

2. Make It a Team Effort

Who should handle your reception seating chart? We can say with confidence that it should be a team effort with your better half .

In addition to easing the burden by pooling your knowledge, collaborating with your partner provides a way for you both to bond and relive some cherished memories from times past.

Beyond that, though, the fun you’ll have working as a team will help you complete the job much faster than trying to take it on solo.

3. Think About Your Table Shapes

Round tables, square tables, rectangular tables — there’s no shortage of shapes to choose from! The dimensions of your tables might not seem like a big deal, at first, but determining the shape and size will dictate how many guests you can seat comfortably . This affects how you’ll have to plan your seating arrangements, so it’s an important factor to keep in mind.

If you get to choose which kind of tables you’ll be using during your reception, base your decision on the potential benefits and drawbacks.

• Round tables will provide a classic look and give your guests plenty of legroom (if you don’t overload them with too many chairs).
• Squares and rectangles might make it easier to fit more tables into your venue (and more guests).

Be sure you know you know which table type (and how many of them) you’ll be using before you start your chart.

4. Use Tables to Group Your Guests

It might not be polite to put people into groups under normal circumstances, but for the purposes of making seating assignments at weddings, it’s one of the best things you can do. By and large, you’ll want to break your guests up into the following categories:

• The Wedding Party
• Bride/Groom’s Family
• Friend Groups
• Everyone Else

Use those groupings as the building blocks of your table seating chart. You don’t have to follow them to the letter, but thinking in these terms will help you visualize which of your guests will feel comfortable with one another, and ease you into your decision making process. An easy rule of thumb to remember: group close friends together and keep potential rivals far apart !

5. Make Assigned Seating Clear to Your Guests

Much like your carefully-worded wedding invitations , your wedding table seating arrangements should be straightforward and easy to comprehend. If your guests arrive and don’t understand where you want them to go, then what was the point of all your planning?

You can make things crystal clear by posting your seating chart near the entrance of your reception venue. Make sure to display seating information alphabetically or table-by-table for clarity, and mark your tables so that your guests can locate their assigned area with ease.

6. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Deciding on your wedding table assignments is only a bear if you allow it to be. Keep things simple, and you’ll keep the stress to a minimum . Start by obtaining a copy of your reception venue’s floor plan, then determine if you’re starting with paper or digital for your chart.

If you’re old-school and prefer a pen and some paper, grab some giant index cards and some slim sticky notes. Have each card represent a table, then write guests’ names on the sticky notes . Place those guests in arrangements that make sense and rearrange them until you get them just right. Once you’re happy with where everyone will be seated, share the list with your caterer.

If you’re not too fond of writing things by hand, and prefers to keep things digital, you should check out one of the many free wedding reception seating chart templates and programs out there. These will allow you to craft floor plans and seating arrangements from the comfort of your computer in a format that’s ready to share with others.

With that, you should have a firm grasp on how to make a wedding seating chart. Just because it can be a tricky process doesn’t mean it has to be. Give yourself the time you need to get started, lean on your partner for support, and keep our tips in mind so that your chart planning goes as smoothly as possible!

Once your wedding seating chart is finalized, why not take a look at our Quintessential Guide to Wedding Calligraphy and turn your table placement cards into a work of art! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Instagram for your daily dose of wedding inspo!

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45 Lovely Table Settings for Weddings to Inspire Your Reception

Build the tablescape of your dreams.

Molly Allen is a previous bakery owner with expertise in wedding orders, as well as a former event planner. She is now a freelance writer focused on lifestyle, travel, and food and beverage.

Photo by KT Merry

Once you’ve selected your wedding venue and made decisions on your ceremony details, it’s time to define your wedding reception design. If you’re planning to host a dinner for your guests, a gorgeous tablescape is a must-have on your list. Everything from unique centerpieces to linens can enhance the look of your dinner tables, but there’s one other crucial piece that will complete the design: the place settings. Table settings for weddings can vary greatly depending on your wedding vision, but the plates, silverware, and other accents in the arrangement can really make an impact on your overall reception aesthetic.

You can customize your reception table place settings to beautifully match your wedding style , and that's true whether you opt to keep things simple, go with something glamorous, or channel a bohemian vibe. Plus, there are also many ways to include personalized details in your linens and paper goods that make the dining experience even more special for your guests.

Ready to find the reception table inspiration you’ve been searching for? Read on for 45 wedding place settings that can fit any style.

Channel a Destination

Photo by Valorie Darling

Are you planning a destination wedding or channeling a specific location at your celebration? Start with a patterned plate that reminds you of a locale and build the rest of your design from there. We love the Mediterranean-inspired blue included in this setup.

Use Textured Plates

Photo by Stepan Vrzala

One of the best ways to enhance a place setting right to choose unique plates. Ditch plain, flat plates and opt for something with plenty of texture for a beautiful look.

Wow With Watercolor

Photo by Roberta Facchini Photography

Channel your love of watercolor as you are putting together your reception tables. This setting incorporated clear glass chargers with gold detailing that let the watercolor menu be the star of the show.

Play With Plenty of Layers

Photo by Ryan Ray

Make a statement with plenty of layers. This stunning place setting started with a neutral charger as a base and was topped with a pastel blue plate and two other dishes on top for a multi-dimensional design. The full stack was beautifully tied together with ocean-inspired napkins and place cards.

Provide a Favor

Photo by Carl S. Miller

You don’t have to wait until the end of the night to give out favors. When guests sat down at their seats at this Arizona desert wedding , they found a natural stone from the region sitting atop their plate with a card explaining its significance. The thoughtful touch pulled double duty, serving both as a keepsake for guests and another design element.

Make Colors Pop

Photo by A Bitter Orange Photography

There's nothing wrong with choosing bold hues for your linens. Even a napkin in a contrasting shade can work with a printed tablecloth if they remain within a similar color family. We love how the tablescapes at an eclectic Pennsylvania wedding used a mix of oranges and pinks to create charming arrangements.

Add Natural Touches

Photo by Karen Hill Photography

Hoping to set a beautiful table inspired by nature? Then it's best to keep your choices for plates, napkins, and silverware simple. Dress each setting up with greenery you found on the venue grounds as one couple did at their sustainable farm wedding in Rhode Island .

Use Printed Placemats

Photo by AGP Collective

Cloth placemats can bring plenty of personality to your wedding tablescapes. We love how the green floral material at this Colorado rehearsal dinner was also used in the napkins to create a cohesive look.

Gift a Candle

PHOTO BY MERAKI WEDDING PHOTO & FILM

You can give guests an array of favors at the dinner table. This beautiful table featuring eucalyptus was dressed up with simple white place settings, bespoke candles, and a charming bundle of flowers at each chair.

Customize With a Wax Seal

PHOTO BY MASHAIDA CO. AND LEA BREMICKER

The contrast of black and clear plates and a subtle striped napkin make this place setting pop, but it's the custom wax seal on every bespoke place card that makes it even more special.

Include Gold Leaves

PHOTO BY REBECCA YALE PHOTOGRAPHY

An easy way to add a touch of gold to your place settings? Choose a gold charger with a pattern, such as stunning leaves, to really make a statement. It's a perfect addition to tablescapes at glamorous weddings .

Weave in Neutral Textures

Photo by Kylee Yee

Woven chargers are an excellent way to bring warmth and texture to a place setting. We love how these balanced with a printed tablecloth at an intimate Massachusetts wedding reception .

Embrace Earth Tones

PHOTO BY LAURKEN KENDALL

If you're planning a bohemian wedding , why not incorporate plenty of earth tones into each place setting? Select a neutral charger, a simple white plate, and dress it all up with velvet and sprigs of dried grasses for a lovely look.

Keep It Simple

PHOTO BY KRISTINA ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

There's elegance in minimalism and this design proves it. Stick to a simple place setting for each guest with all of the essentials. Dress it up with a single sprig of greenery for a hint of natural color.

Play With a Pattern

PHOTO BY KINDRED WEDDING STORYTELLERS

Want just a hint of bold color? Incorporate it by using a patterned fabric napkin. This is such a fun way to finish off a place setting for each guest.

PHOTO BY KAITY BRAWLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Not interested in vibrant shades? Stick to a neutral color scheme and add layers for interest. This setting incorporated two differently sized plates in the same hue, along with a subtle linen napkin and natural bone flatware.

Include an Orchid

PHOTO BY HUGO COELHO

If you're opting for a moodier aesthetic, a dark napkin is sure to fit the bill. A deep-hued menu? A beautiful touch, too. The final detail tied this look together? A fresh, richly hued orchid , which made each setting pop.

Showcase Seashells

PHOTO BY HEATHER WARAKSA

Decorate the table settings for a beachfront wedding with natural elements. A deep blue napkin and an illustrated menu at this reception provided the perfect backdrop to showcase beautifully calligraphed seashell place cards.

Accent Settings With Baby's Breath

PHOTO BY DU SOLEIL PHOTOGRAPHIE

Baby's breath is the perfect flower to add a touch of life to each place setting. The dainty blooms work beautifully with this tablescape's black and white color scheme .

Customize a Linen Menu

PHOTO BY CINZIA BRUSCHINI

Imagine your guests' reactions upon sitting down to this beautifully adorned table. The fabric menu really took the tablescape's elegant look to a whole new level.

Include a Single Bright Bloom

PHOTO BY HANNAH COSTELLO

Love an organic look? Bring it into your tablescape by laying the groundwork with a wooden charger paired with beautifully designed menus. Top it all off with a rust-colored napkin tied in a knot and a single bright bloom to make a statement. We love how the rest of this table is accented with bud vases and candles.

Display a Custom Cookie

PHOTO BY ATMOSPHERE FOTOGRAFIA

Why not kick off dinner with something sweet? This place setting utilized beautiful china and white linens, but the custom cookie on top that made it that much more special. With a tile-inspired design, the treat enhanced the tablescape even further.

Channel Harvest Vibes

PHOTO BY CASSIDY CARSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Create a rustic-meets-elegant vibe with a tasteful place setting. This look used gorgeous gold chargers as the perfect base to make an illustrated menu and a strand of tied wheat really stand out. To make the table even more charming, place cards were tucked into artichokes and fruit was displayed to embrace a freshly harvested look.

Personalize Poem Place Cards

Photo by Michelle Scott Photography

Want to make your place settings even more meaningful? At an intimate Arizona wedding , the couple decided to eschew a normal place card design and picked out poems for every guest to read when they arrived at their seats. We love how each card was placed on a striped orange napkin to tie in the wedding's color palette and frame every personalized note.

Take It to the Tropics

Photo by Moni & Adri Photography

Fringed chargers and crocheted napkins can bring a textural and tropical touch to a wedding reception tablescape. The brides at this Tulum wedding chose the arrangement for its “sophisticated yet homey" feel.

Go for Greenery

Photo by M.K. Sadler

Greenery is one of the simplest and most beautiful ways to dress up a place setting. Set a romantic table with gauzy linens and candlesticks, and incorporate white plates at each place setting to pop against an otherwise neutral table. Add a few sprigs of greenery to finish it off.

Showcase Ceramics

Photo by Norman & Blake

Beautifully painted ceramics can lend an artisan-inspired element to your wedding place settings. We love how this Big Sur wedding placed umber floral plates upon speckled chargers for a warm, modern look.

Feature Your Monogram

Photo by Lucy Cuneo

Ready to show off your new monogram as a married couple? Your dinner table is the perfect opportunity. Have your monogram embroidered on napkins and allow it to make a statement against white and gold plates.

Choose a Vibrant Palette

If you're opting for a vibrant color palette, make sure your tablescape follows suit. This table setting was the perfect mix of tropical meets contemporary with beautifully patterned napkins, colored glassware, white-handled silverware, and a modern menu card design.

COURTESY OF  BILL HANSEN CATERING ; DESIGN BY  GLDN EVENTS  AND  RENNY & REED

You can set a formal table that's also incredibly charming with just a simple accent. This tablescape featured a black ribbon bow around the menu to tie the chic look together.

Play With Pastel Blue

Photo by Lauren Fair

Want to incorporate something blue into your reception? Choose patterned blue china to pop against otherwise white plates and chargers.

Flaunt Floral Patterns

Photo by Kurt Boomer

Hoping to balance between rustic, colorful, and sophisticated aesthetics? This look pulls it off flawlessly with a wicker charger and formal china dressed up with a stunning floral design.

Exude Elegance

Photo by kt merry

Keep your settings entirely elegant for your dinner party by incorporating a white patterned plate and simple flatware. To tie it all together? Choose custom-embroidered napkins in a simple hue and add subtly colored glassware for an enchanting look.

Pick Printed Chargers

Photo by Alice Vicente

Printed chargers are an amazing way to bring personality to your tablescape. Tie in the hues of your color palette and complement them with beautiful linens for a colorful look. We love how these chargers at a Portuguese castle wedding channeled the tile surrounding the reception.

Select Mirrored Chargers

Photo by Amber Gress Photography

Add a reflective touch to your wedding reception tables with mirrored chargers. At this wedding in the Hamptons , a shimmering silver design paired with a round menu that tied into the celebration's pink color palette.

Personalize Napkins

Photo by joel serrato

The color incorporated into this place setting is absolutely stunning on its own, but it was made that much more special when guests' names were added to napkins for a personalized touch .

Make It Modern

Photo by Jana Williams

Take your tablescape to the tropics, but make it entirely modern . This place setting utilized gold-edged plates with a patterned napkin that sticks to the wedding's color scheme seen in the palm-leaf runner. Black-handled gold flatware was the perfect complement to pull everything together.

Use Chinoiserie

Photo by Twah Dougherty

The dark blue tones of chinoiserie can be the perfect base of your place settings. Tie in the shades with your linens and menu typography, like at this pretty coastal wedding in New York .

Have Fun With Linens

Photo by Brogen Jessup

Go down to the details to bring more charm to your place settings. The scalloped edge on the napkins at this San Diego wedding leant a beautiful touch to the modern tablescape.

Choose Floral Linens

Photo by Paige Vaughn Photo

A floral napkin is the perfect way to finish off a table setting. At this Austin wedding , the pretty printed fabric used to bring personality to each seat was also tied in throughout the day’s design.

Go Glamorous

Photo by Charla Storey

Stick to a glamorous theme with plenty of black plates, black and gold flatware, and even black and gold place cards, but incorporate just a hint of a rustic vibe by including a neutral table runner and printed menus to match.

Play With Pressed Florals

Photo by Peyton Beyford

Include pressed florals in your place settings for a sweet and whimsical accent. How charming is this pastel-hued place card at a spring Texas wedding ?

Commission Art Pieces

Photo by Carmen Santorelli Photography

Not interested in a multi-plate setup? Keep your settings simple, but dress them up with color instead. Consider incorporating handmade plates for a splash of color for an original accent.

Coordinate Your Small Plates

Photo by Jake Anderson

When coordinating your chargers and small plates, consider picking out a set to create a cohesive aesthetic. We love the pairing of the orange-printed dinnerware at a citrus-inspired wedding in Palm Springs .

Bring Texture to a White Palette

An all-white tablescape doesn't have to be bland. Take note of this Wyoming ranch wedding , where etched chargers bring a lovely textural feel to the place settings.

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• Christin specializes in writing gift guides and shoppable articles for The Knot.
• Christin is a freelance writer, also covering lifestyle, health, and parenting.
• She has written for such publications as The Bump, Parents, VeryWell, Parade and LittleThings.

When your guests file into your reception venue , one of the first things they'll notice is your wedding table decorations. Whether you opt for dramatic, eye-catching centerpieces , or something simple, the way you decorate your tables will set the scene for your affair. The good news? It's super simple to turn your tablescape into something that's uniquely your own. Votive holders, tea lights, and greenery have a way of making a standard table totally wedding ready. When planning your wedding table centerpieces, we've listed some things to consider.

Decorations to Consider

• Table numbers and table number holders
• Place cards if you'll be assigning seating for guests
• Centerpieces
• Napkin holders, placemats, and tablecloths
• Labels or signage for dessert, gift and other tables
• Florals (leave this to your florist)

Wedding Table Decorations to Buy

If you're not sure where to start when it comes to table decorations, we've put together a list of items to consider. Whether you're looking for rustic wedding table decorations, something modern, or even simple wedding table decorations, we've got the inspiration you need. Start here, and let your imagination carry you away as you dream up the perfect aesthetic for your event.

If you're searching for simple wedding table decorations that add a touch of elegance, look no further than this silver place card holder. It can be used to display table numbers or place settings. Despite its small size, it adds a touch of glam to your table, especially when placed among a set of glowing candles.

The Knot Shop classic round place card holders, $28, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

Elevate your wedding tables with this twisted tulle table skirt. Available in white, or with a hint of blue or pink, it's a great way to turn a bland table into something brilliant. Perfect for a sweetheart table or as a way to dress up the table that displays your wedding cake, this table skirt is a great way to give your table that wedding vibe.

Suppromo 9-foot white tulle table skirt, $25, Amazon.com

A glimmering collection of luminaries looks simply amazing as part of a wedding tablescape. This set provides exactly what you need, with a four-pack of tea light holders at varying heights for a dramatic look.

Moonlight Weddings glass tea light holders, set of 4, $18, Etsy.com

Picturing a peaceful barn reception under glimmering string lights? You'll need plenty of rustic wedding table decorations. And this burlap and lace table runner is a great place to start. It adds a touch of boho elegance to your wedding table top, in lieu of a tablecloth.

The Knot Shop natural burlap and lace table runner, from $30, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

Incorporate a romantic glow to your wedding table when you decorate with these towering gold crystal tealight holders. You'll get a set of two, perfect for creating a collection of luminaries in the center of your tables.

Vincigant gold crystal votive candle holders, $32 for two, Amazon.com

Or maybe a more modern vibe is what you're going for. If so, opt for these trendy acrylic table numbers. With a top-aligned design, they'll elevate your wedding table with a unique look.

The Knot Shop white acrylic table number, $10, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

Nothing elevates your tablescape more than a mirror to rest your candles on for an ethereal glow. These circular mirrors are simple to work with if you're doing a DIY table, and they're a great way to pull together your wedding table decorations to a unified look.

Super Z Outlet mirror wedding centerpieces, $29 for 10, Amazon.com

These gold geometric candle holders are the perfect addition to your minimalist wedding table decorations. Display them alongside our matching flower holder or by itself as a beautiful statement piece.

The Knot Shop small gold geometric hanging tealight holder, $23, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

When you're decorating your wedding reception tables, it's always a good idea to have lots of extra greenery on hand. That's why this two-pack of trendy eucalyptus makes our list of the best wedding decorations. You'll get two separate strands each measuring 6.5 feet to ensure there's enough to go around.

Trimgrace artificial eucalyptus garland, $22, Amazon.com

These super affordable pink tea light holders will bathe your tables in a soft, romantic glow. They're versatile wedding table decorations that allow you to style them however you'd like for a personalized look.

The Knot Shop mini glass tea light holder, $30 for 6, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

Nothing gives that classic wedding vibe more than a traditional crystal candlestick. This set of two from Amazon allows you to dress up your wedding tables with a beautiful, upscale look for less.

Studio Silversmiths octagon crystal candlesticks, set of 2, $14, Amazon.com

An adorable bird adorns this white-washed metal birdcage, a perfect addition if you're looking for rustic wedding table decorations. A single tea light is suspended from the top of the cage for an extra touch of elegance.

The Knot Shop small metal birdcage with tea light holder, $17, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

How adorable are these wooden tea light holders? Available in a set of 15, they're the perfect way to add a charming touch of rustic elegance to your wedding tabletop. Pair them with a burlap table runner for a perfect combination of rustic wedding table decorations.

AS Deco Rustic wood tea light holders, $38 for 15, Etsy.com

These adorable mini-lanterns can double as decorations and wedding favors—a great way to stay on trend and on budget at the same time. They can be placed on a table as centerpieces or strung up for a beautiful look that's totally wedding-ready.

David's Bridal mini lantern favors, $5, DavidsBridal.com

These floral and gold wedding place cards are the perfect addition to your wedding tables. The gold geometric shapes add a modern feel to the otherwise traditional wedding florals, which pair to create a beautiful place card. These cards can be folded in half and tented, or used with a place card holder.

Bliss Collections floral place cards, $15 for 50, Amazon.com

If you're in need of wedding table decorations for your sweetheart table, look no further than this stunning wooden At Last laser-cut sign. It's available in an array of colors to ensure a perfect match with the color palette you've chosen for your special day.

Z Create Design glitter At Last sign, from $28, Etsy.com

This black wire cardholder is a perfect way to display any signage you might have at your wedding. You can use it for table numbers, place cards for each guest, or to guide guests to the dessert table. Any way you choose to use it, the ornate design adds a touch of elegance to your wedding tables.

The Knot Shop ornamental wire stationery holder, $6, WeddingShop.TheKnot.com

These blingy napkin holders are the perfect way to dress up those plain rental napkins and add to your table's beautiful look. You'll get a set of 12 crystal beaded napkin rings in this pretty set.

Feyarl sparkly silver napkin holders, $30 for 12, Amazon.com

Foliage is among the most versatile of wedding table decorations. This strand of pre-lit greenery measures just over 2 yards, perfect for a DIY wedding table. Weave it among glimmering candles or use it to surround table centerpieces for a beautiful tablescape.

The Celebrations House foliage lights wedding table decorations, $12, Etsy.com

These dainty silver vases definitely need a spot on your wedding tables. Use them to hold table numbers or delicate sprigs of flowers and greenery to dress up an otherwise ho-hum table.

The Celebrations House ribbed silver glass vase, $4, Etsy.com

Place one of these white-washed lanterns in the middle of your tables for a beautiful, rustic look. Or, position them among your buffet or dessert table for a pretty glow. Either way, you can't go wrong with these simple wedding table decorations.

Zkee vintage decorative flickering lanterns, set of 4, $40, Amazon.com

These beautifully simple wooden lanterns make perfect wedding reception table decorations to match with any wedding décor. Add a candle, greenery or flowers for an endless array of decorative options.

GFT Woodcraft reclaimed wood candle lantern, $25, Etsy.com

This set of 40 votives is a must-have if you're looking for rustic wedding table decorations. Coordinating designs decked in burlap and lace make these perfect for displaying alone or as part of a collection. They would even make great favors for a country-inspired or barn-themed wedding reception.

Sabihup rustic burlap votives, $113 for 40, Etsy.com

These vegan leather flags are a great way to display your table numbers at your reception. The beige-and-gold color scheme serves as a neutral backdrop for whatever colors you'll be decorating with, and the slim design won't take up too much space on your tables.

David's Bridal slanted vegan leather table number flags, $4, DavidsBridal.com

Gold tones and asymmetric patterns always make for the best modern wedding table decorations. If that's the look you're going for, you'll love this pretty floating frame—it's the perfect way to display your table numbers.

Shop Meraki Design wedding table numbers with gold frames, $16, Etsy.com

These unique gold-toned box frames come in three different sizes that allow you to stagger and arrange them however you want. Blush roses and trendy faux greenery complete the look for a stunning table setting.

Ling's Moment geometric centerpiece, $40 for set of 3, Amazon.com

What better way to achieve a pulled-together look than to place all of your wedding table decorations atop a beautiful cake stand? This one, from David's Bridal, is a perfect option, adorned with wedding-ready colors like cream and gold.

David's Bridal gilded trim ceramic cake stand, $70, DavidsBridal.com