SEATING PLAN FOR THE GUESTS

• Once you have created the table groups, think about which table to allocate each group to. Try to prioritise the tables (but don’t reveal the list to your guests!) and give your nearest and dearest the better seats in the house.

• To try and avoid jealousy amongst the guests, avoid numbering the tables and name them instead (trust us, a guest on table number 9 could well send daggers across the room to a guest at table 3 if they think they are more favoured!). When it comes to table naming the world is your oyster – popular options include naming the tables after locations dear to your heart (where you first met, where the proposal took place etc.), things connected to your honeymoon (Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck etc. if you are heading off to Disneyworld), or even favourite footballers (Pele, Cryuff, Eusebio etc.)

• Don’t bother with a Seating Plan for the Evening Do unless you are planning something really formal. Couples often ask whether they should go for one or not, but as most evening events involve a lot of dancing, drinking and mingling, employing one is normally a waste of time and effort.

There’s a lot to think about (just for a change) but all the effort will be worth your while when you see the happy faces at your reception enjoying the biggest day of your life nearly as much as you are!