The couple
You sit where you can see and be seen: centred on the room, with a clear line to the dance floor and wherever the speeches happen. Whether that is a sweetheart table for two, a long head table with your wedding party, or a family table with your parents is entirely your call — each works, and each has trade-offs.
Parents and grandparents
Closest to you. Traditionally each set of parents hosts its own table near the couple, joined by grandparents, siblings who aren’t in the wedding party, and perhaps the officiant. If one family is much larger, it is fine for them to have two tables close by while the other has one.
When parents are divorced, give each parent an equally good table rather than forcing everyone together — here’s how to handle the common situations.
The wedding party and their partners
If your bridesmaids, groomsmen and attendants sit at a head table, their partners shouldn’t be stranded elsewhere with strangers. Either seat partners at the head table too (a “king’s table”), or put partners together at a table right beside it so they at least have each other. If the wedding party is large, seating them with their own friends and partners is the kinder default.
Plus-ones and new partners
Always seat a plus-one with the guest who brought them — they are the one person they know. Place the pair at a table where the guest has friends, so the plus-one meets people through someone.
Children
Babies and toddlers sit with their parents, usually needing a high chair and space for a buggy — tell the venue. Older children (roughly eight and up) can enjoy a kids’ table if it is near their parents, ideally with activities and a grown-up nearby. Teenagers usually prefer a table of their own, or their friends, over a kids’ table.
Older guests and access needs
Keep older guests away from the speakers and near the toilets and exits, but not so far back they can’t see the speeches. Anyone using a wheelchair needs an aisle position with a chair removed, and a clear route to the bar and bathrooms. Note these needs in the guest list — in Tablewright they appear on the caterer sheet so the venue team sees them too.
Friends, colleagues and “the rest”
Seat people with people they know, then mix carefully. A table that is two friend groups who don’t know each other works well when they share something — similar age, a city, a sense of humour. The “singles table” has fallen out of favour: most single guests would rather be at a table of friends than a table defined by their relationship status.
Exes, feuds and friction
You don’t have to repair every relationship on your wedding day — just keep the peace. Put people who don’t get on at different tables, ideally out of each other’s direct sight line, and don’t seat either at the back as a punishment. Add a “keep apart” rule for each pair so that nobody undoes it by accident when shuffling tables later.
Assign tables, or exact seats?
Tables only (escort cards or a seating sign) is the norm: guests choose their chair at the table. Exact seats (place cards) are worth it for plated dinners with meal choices — servers know who ordered what — and for formal events where the order matters. You can mix: assign seats at the head and family tables, tables only for everyone else.
Old rules you can ignore
- Alternating men and women. Seat people where they’ll have the best evening.
- Sides of the room by family. Mixing families is usually how they start to know each other.
- “Table 1 is the most important.” Number tables so guests can find them, not to rank anyone. Names instead of numbers avoid the question altogether.
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