Who usually attends
The wedding party and their partners, immediate family, the officiant, and anyone who took part in the rehearsal. Some couples extend it to out-of-town guests as a welcome dinner.
Long table or rounds?
Under about 30 guests, one long table (or a U-shape) keeps everyone in one conversation and makes toasts easy. Larger welcome dinners work better with rounds of 8–10, each mixing both families.
Where people sit
- The couple in the middle of the long side, so they can talk to everyone.
- Hosts (often the parents paying) at the ends or opposite the couple, so they can greet guests.
- Mix the families on purpose: seat each parent next to someone from the other side; put best friends beside new in-laws.
Using the planner
Create a second plan for the rehearsal dinner — plans are separate, so your reception layout stays untouched. Use place cards here: at a small dinner, exact seats are what make the mixing happen.
Plan it, then print itPaste your guest list, seat everyone on a to-scale floor plan, and print the sign and cards — free, no account.
Open the planner