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The reception room table layout will
depend upon the shape of the tables your venue provides
and how the tables are best arranged to make the room
look balanced for the number of guests to be seated. Round
tables, for example, give a much more pleasing and spacious
look than two or three long tables that join to the top
table.
A
typical reception table layout (shown left) will
have one long top table for the bridal party and
as many round tables as required for your guests.
A
round top table should be avoided if possible
because the view of the bride and groom will be
obscured by others on the table and several of
the bridal party will have their backs to the
other guests.
A
small table placed to one side of the top table
is ideal for displaying the cake in its full glory! |
Your
close family and friends should be seated nearest the
top table with other relatives and friends sitting further
away. If you have round tables, guests with partners are
usually seated side by side. If you choose to have long
tables, partners are usually seated opposite each other.
It is customary to alternate male and female guests. If
you decide to split up couples, they should not be too
far away from each other. Children should always be seated
with their parents.
You should ensure as much as possible that your guests
sit with people that are known to each other as this will
make them feel more comfortable and facilitate good conversation.
Although this will not be possible in all cases, at least
try to have similar age groups or guests with similar
interests seated together such as aunts and uncles, friends,
work collegues etc. Guests may be very uncomfortable if
they are seated with people they do not know. It is particularly
important to bear this point in mind if you have round
tables, because the temptation is to fill up the tables
with unconnected guests.
So
that guests can easily find their places, a printed table
plan positioned just inside the reception room will be
very helpful. You may also wish to place a printed seating
plan in the pre-reception drinks area. The most efficient
form of table plan is where guests' names are listed alphabetically
with their table number printed alongside their name.
An adjacent map showing the physical table layout with
the table numbers marked allows guests to locate their
table quickly. You can download free templates for your table plan from the Confetti Print Centre.
As an alternative to numbering your tables, why not give
each table a name, particularly if you have a theme running
through your wedding. Alternatively, you might wish to
name your tables after people or objects relating to an
interest or hobby you both share or name each table after
a poet and have a love poem written by the poet left on
each table. We have a very good selection of poems
and readingsassociated with love and marriage from
which to choose if this idea appeals to you. If you are using table numbers you can buy preprinted cards and table number stands. To print your own table numbers or customised table names use imprintable blank cards with your home printer and free templates from the Confetti Print Centre.
To
ensure guests sit at the correct seat, table place cards should be used. They can either be flat for placing in card holders or fold tent-like to be free-standing. The
style of address for place cards should match the style
written on your wedding invitations. If your invitations
were written in the formal, traditional style of, for
example, Mr. and Mrs. David Smith, the place cards should
show Mr. David Smith on one card and Mrs. David Smith
on another. Less formal place cards, where the invitation
was written in the style of, say, David and Sarah Smith,
should simply have David Smith written on one card and
Sarah Smith on another. As with the names on wedding invitations,
place cards should be hand written.
Check out the range of personalised stationery , available direct from confetti.co.uk.
Once your guests have passed along
your receiving line, they
will move into the reception room and make their way to
their tables. If you have engaged a master
of ceremonies, your entrance will be announced and
your guests asked to stand. The bridal party then enters
the room to take their places at the top table (even if
you are only having a buffet meal, it is usual to have
a top table reserved for the bridal party). The bridal
party is led by the bride and groom walking side by side,
followed by the bride's father with the groom's mother;
the bride's mother with the groom's father and the best
man with the chief bridesmaid. Your guests are seated
once the bridal party are seated.
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