How A Seating Chart Improves Wedding Guest Experience
One question we’re commonly asked by couples is whether it’s really necessary to assign guest seating for their reception dinner or wedding luncheon. While we can give you all of the practical reasons why it’s a good decision, like how it saves you money, or helps your catering team, in this post we want to focus instead on your guests, and how it impacts guest experience.
Wedding Guest Experience
Have you ever walked into a room full of people as a wedding guest with questions running through your mind like, “Do I see anyone I know?” “Where should we sit?” “ Who will I talk to?”, “ Should I put my phone down to save myself a place before heading over to get a drink or appetizers?” These kinds of anxious thoughts are normal and so real for many people.
Now imagine you arrive and there’s a welcoming display where you’re invited to find your name, and your seating assignment. You breathe a sigh of relief, you’re expected. A small favor or note, something thoughtful with your name on it. Your table assignment is provided. You no longer have the anxiety of walking into the room and trying to decide where to sit. You have purpose and know just where to go and what to do.
When you are hosting your wedding celebration it’s important to be thoughtful of your guests, and do what you can to make their experience comfortable, and enjoyable. Something as simple as assisting them through the sometimes awkward experience of finding their place at the reception table can make a big difference for many of your guests. A personalized escort card display, and or place cards will help your guest feel special, appreciated and welcomed.
Avoid Awkward Moments
A common problem that directly impacts the experience of your guests, if you don’t have a seating chart, is losing their seat to another guest. A guest, or a table of guests get up to go to the buffet. While they are out of their seats other guests arrive and sit down at the table the guests have just vacated. This is the worst! Yet we see it happen when couples decide not to make a seating chart despite our recommendation. Another common thing we see is when place settings are set on the tables, and a guest removes a chair from one table and places it at another table, leaving a place setting, and a guest without a chair. Normally this is because without a seating chart parties are often split up, leaving your guests to try and remedy the problem themselves. This seldom happens when it’s clear to your guests where they are expected to sit, and parties being seated together is assured in advance.
There’s a common misconception that a seating chart isn’t necessary for buffet dinners, but as you can see from the examples it most definitely is.
Being a Thoughtful & Intentional Host
One of the really fun things you get to do as a couple, and as hosts, is to bring together the people from all aspects of both of your lives. Sitting down and looking at who is acquainted with whom, and which one of your friends or family has the same sense of humor as someone else, and would hit it off. Or who shares the same interest or hobbies. It’s such a fun and thoughtful process to intentionally group your people together. And so satisfying for you as you observe people talking, laughing and enjoying the benefit of your efforts at your reception.
It can be a simple sign on an easel or an elaborate display. Whatever your preferences are. What is important is that you get creative, get personal, make it fun. There are so many ways to show your guests that you are happy they’ve come, you’re prepared for them, and that you care.