There’s no need to dread organizing your guests with these helpful wedding seating chart tips!

Married Couple

The love birds can choose to share a table with their wedding party (seated in the middle) or a more intimate option, like a sweetheart table. The venue may already know the best spot to place the happy couple, but if not, choose a space that has the best view of all your guests (and the dance floor).

Intermediate Family

Typically, the parents, grandparents and any siblings that aren’t included in the wedding party are seated together. However, if your parents are divorced or if there is some family drama that you want to avoid, consider having separate tables. Another idea is to use a rectangular table, but seat the guests that prefer not to celebrate together at opposite ends.

Wedding Party 

If opting for a sweetheart table, you can have another head table with the members of your bridal party and their significant others (if there’s room). On the other hand, if your wedding party members are more comfortable sitting with other groups of people, for instance family members if they have relations at the wedding, consider placing them with those people. Additionally, if your head table would be too crowded with your wedding party’s dates, you can seat them separately with mutual friends.

Parent’s Friends

Enlist the help of your parents and your partner’s parents when placing their friends. They will know which friends get along with each other and that can help dictate where they should sit. If there are friends that are close to the family and you have room, consider placing them at the same table as (or a table near) your parents.

Kids Table

If you have a significant number of children attending your nuptials, a kids table is your best bet. This table can have engaging activities, like coloring books, to keep the young ones entertained. Try to keep the kids table near their parents, especially if inviting younger children or if the kids are anxious when separated from their parents.

Everyone Else

When seating friends that aren’t in the wedding party or intermediate family, seat them according to their similarities. For instance, college friends can sit at one table, work friends at another and relatives at a different table. Just remember that just because some guests know each other, doesn’t mean that they should be seated together. Use your best judgment when arranging guests for your big day.