Many couples get stressed out when thinking about having to make a seating chart, and who can blame them?! Figuring out who can (or cannot) sit next to each other, having to actually make a seating chart ($$), and there are so many other fun things they want to focus on. They may even decide they do not want or need a seating chart.

Why Should I Have a Seating Chart?

Having a seating chart, however, is one of the keys to making your day go smoothly. Imagine 100 people entering the reception area, looking around, and not knowing where to sit. Remind you of the high school lunch room? If people do not have an automatic place to go, they will start filling up tables, leaving gaps between them and people they do not know. You will soon have groups that cannot find a place to sit together, so they either split up and sit separately, or try to squeeze in at an already full table – neither of which is ideal.

Seating charts do not have to be hard, I promise.

But Steph, I do not want to tell people where to sit. It will be ok! People are used to seating charts at weddings; just make sure you sit them with someone they know. You also do not have to assign seats – unless you are doing a plated dinner. With plated dinners, the servers need to know who is getting which meal, and they use the seating chart to tell them how many chicken dishes are at Table 8, and whether Uncle Joe gets one.

How Do I Decide Seating Assignments?

But Steph, how do I figure out who should go at what table? Great question! If you are using Zola, they have a seating chart feature that allows you to drag and drop your guests to fill in the table. Not using Zola? You can do that on a spreadsheet, drawing platform (like Canva), or even using pen and paper! Color code peoples’ names by groupings (her family, his family, her friends…etc); this will give you a visual of who you might consider putting together.

What Should My Seating Chart Look Like?

But Steph, how do I make sure it goes with my decor and is not just a list of people stuck to a wall somewhere? Love this! You can choose to incorporate your colors into the design, write on a mirror, or make something that is unique like a bookshelf. You can even design one on Canva and get it printed at an office supply store on poster board to stay in budget! Whichever way you do it, make it easy for guests to use.

How Do I Organize My Seating Chart?

Organize by last name so people can find their table number and go.

Writing the names in alphabetical order by last name helps people find their name and table assignment quickly so they can move on and others can do the same. You will want to write the names like this:

Emily Johnson – 1
Samuel Johnson – 1
Miguel Lopez – 9
Nancy Lopez – 9

Notice how the last names are in alphabetical order, and so are the first names. That way if you have people with the same last name who are not sitting together, they can still easily find their table assignment.

When you are done with the seating chart, make sure to give a digital copy to your wedding planner or coordinator so that they can help people find seats if needed. If it is a plated meal, also give them the seating chart by table number, in the order you want the guests seated. Your planner/coordinator will make sure the place cards are in the correct place.

Whether your wedding is big or small, having a seating chart will make the guests’ experience 10x smoother.

Vendor Credits

Love Letters by Melody (Mirror Seating Charts)

Homestreet Creative (Book Spine Calligraphy)