Personalized Seating Charts: Functional and Stylish
I’ve been to weddings that were ABSOLUTE CHAOS. Do you know what they had in common? They didn’t have a seating chart! So I am here to chit chat all about the importance of a well-organized seating arrangement at your event.
While you can get just a simple print out of a seating chart, you may be missing out on some fun ways to elevate your event while setting the tone for the rest of the evening. Personalized seating charts at weddings, parties, and corporate events are on the rise and here are some key takeaways of having a seating chart in the first place—and some fun inspiration, tips, and ideas on what’s possible for your big day!.
Photo by Kindle & Grain
The Importance of Seating Charts
Organization
Seating Charts ensure smooth flow and ease for guests. The worst thing—okay maybe not as bad as a runaway bride or groom—that can happen is that your guests are just constantly left in a bubble of confusion. When you have a seating chart or escort card display, guests will take a lesser amount of time when transition between cocktail hour and the reception. It’s just a matter of fact. Think about it, if they didn’t have any instruction, there would be utter confusion and chaos. They wouldn’t know where to go. They wouldn’t know where to sit. They would constantly ask other clueless guests if it’s okay to sit somewhere. They would spend time figuring out which table would be a ‘prime location’. They would spend time realizing that their group is too big and some folks who they’d promise to sit with are now sent packing to a different table.
Guest Experience
While the BIG DAY is really all about you, if you didn’t want to honor your guests, you’d probably be having an intimate elopement, and wouldn’t be reading this blog. When you do have a wedding day, it’s only natural to want to make sure all of your guests feel valued and considered. You can easily do this with a seating chart.
A seating chart shows that you’ve placed thought into how their evening conversations will play out. You put thought into the proximity they’d have from the sweetheart table, older folks being put farther from the DJ speakers, family drama not sitting together, putting the youngsters closer to the dance floor, etc. If you haven’t taken all of that into consideration and more, here’s a list of what to consider when you’re making your table/seating arrangements.
Who Gets Along: Sit people together who know each other and get along well so everyone has fun.
Family Issues: Be careful with family members who might not get along. Keep them at different tables if needed.
Mixing Groups: Mix different groups like friends and family, but make sure each table has people who know each other.
Important Guests: Put close family members, the bridal party, and other special guests at the best tables near the front.
Special Needs: Think about guests who might need extra help, like older people or those with wheelchairs, and seat them where it's easy to get to.
Table Size: Make sure there are enough seats at each table so everyone has enough room and can talk easily.
Event Flow: Arrange tables so guests can move around easily to places like the dance floor, buffet, and bathrooms without getting stuck.
Functional Benefits of Personalized Seating Charts
Easy Navigation
Seating charts are typically placed in front/at the entrance to the reception area. This helps provide clear and concise directions for guests. At the end of the day, your guests want to know which table they need to go.
Special Accommodations
Seating charts allow for you to control how the night will play out for guests. By having a seating chart, you can help catering quickly recognize and identify guests with special needs (e.g., accessibility, dietary restrictions). You also get control of placing families, friends, or certain groups together.
Event Management
Seating charts streamline service and logistics. I promise you that you don’t want your wedding timeline to get delayed. One of the biggest time delays on a wedding day stem from the transition of cocktail hour to reception. People are still waiting in line at the bar. People are trying to find their names on a seating chart. People take in all the decorations and design of the reception space. People are trying to find the table numbers to find their seat. Imagine how long this would take if you didn’t have a properly organized seating chart!
Photo by Koontz Photography
Stylish Aspects of Personalized Seating Charts
Design and Aesthetics
Try to incorporate your theme and color scheme! If you’re doing a traditional seating chart, I’d recommend using a floor length mirror like one of our popular ones, The Lady Mirror. But if you’re doing some sort of Escort Card Wall, here’s where you can really personalize it to your unique story! For example, one of my couples were in the medical field, a doctor and a nurse! In order to incorporate this, we decided to create ‘prescription pads’ as their escort cards. We then stuck ‘em on The Cypress for guests to find their name and take their card!
Personal Touch
Adding personalized elements such as guest names, custom illustrations, or photos can make your event that much more special. Some of my clients have even included a handwritten note to be placed in an envelope for each guest! Fun Fact: The Bride AND the Groom each wrote a note to EACH person. (Let me know if you would do that! I know for a fact that my husband would not! Haha!)
Interactive and Engaging
Making the seating chart a focal point and conversation starter. So you can incorporate fun elements like laser-cut calligraphy, gorgeous and extravagant floral arrangements, or cool mood lighting. Hey, let’s even work on creating a wall that has a hole in it, for servers to hand out drinks to your guests!
Designing Your Personalized Seating Chart
When you decide to work with me, I do the following! I help you:
Decide on a format (e.g., floor length mirror, escort card wall, escort cards on a table).
Figure out how to incorporate your colors to ensure a cohesive look.
Brain storm any unique elements to incorporate based on your love story.
Consider the practicality of your ideas.
Consider the readability of color combinations.
Choose the appropriate materials and consider any space constraints.
Let’s Give Your Wedding that Final Bowtie Touch!
So, are you ready to give your wedding that final bowtie touch? If so, book a free consult to discuss how we can create some art for your big day! Be sure to check out The Rental Catalog to see what pieces we can personalize for your Seating Chart!
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