SEATING PLAN FOR THE GUESTS

With the top table hopefully sorted, (if not take a look at The Top Table article for some inspiration) it’s now time to look at the tricky issue of seating your guests.

Unlike with the top table, there is no traditional format to follow when determining the seating plan for the guests so the ball is firmly in your court. That said, there are many more factors to consider than may originally meet the eye, so let’s take a look at what you need to think about before making the final decision.

Important Things You Need To Know In Advance

There are three crucial factors that you must know before you begin, and all three relate to the tables (ooh how exciting!). The only way you will be able to find things out is to speak to the venue - preferably accompanied by a visit.

1.      What shape are the tables?
At first this may seem an aimless question, but this piece of information is very useful to know.

The majority of venues will supply circular tables, but not all will follow this pattern and some may even present you with a number of options.

Round tables are much softer in appearance and hence help to create a much warmer atmosphere (or at least our feng shui book says they do!) and are the suggested preference when many guests are invited. For smaller groups, a squared boardroom style layout may be offered, and is perfectly acceptable.

Round tables are offer each guest equal leg room, but others, particularly rectangular tables, probably won’t. If you are opting for non-round tables, remebering this fact should help to prevent crushing your three mates from Fat Fighters together at the end of a table!