Preparing a wedding banquet is a lot of work, the main part of which is making sure that the newlyweds and guests spend this day fun, joyfully, and remember it as a real holiday. The harmony of a wedding celebration is only possible if all its participants feel comfortable, which largely depends on what kind of people are sitting around. In this article we will look at the main options for arranging tables at a wedding.
, so that you can later choose the most suitable one for yourself.
Thoughtful seating of guests at tables
, compiled taking into account the characteristics of your guests, be it menu preferences or personal qualities, is the guarantee that the entire wedding reception will take place in a friendly, positive atmosphere and will bring only positive emotions to everyone.
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Your desires, preferences and creative approach to organizing a holiday can be key in deciding how the tables will be arranged
in the hall and guests behind them. However, objective circumstances, such as the number of guests, the nature and features of the room, its area, shape, different floor and ceiling levels, should be taken into account in order to create the most ergonomic space, convenient in all respects for the holiday.
For a wedding reception with a small number of people in Russia and other European countries, they often use a seating arrangement that involves the presence of one fairly large table.
This can be one rectangular table (for 10-12 people) or several tables connected together in the shape of the letter "T" or the letter "P". The bride and groom sit in the center or at the head of the table, where they can be seen by all guests, with parents and witnesses next to them.
Seating guests at one table.
Arrangement of tables in the shape of the letter "P"
This arrangement of tables allows you to comfortably seat up to 50 guests. However, if the number of guests is not large, then it is better to place all guests on the outside of the table. Thanks to this, all guests will sit facing the newlyweds, and no one will be with their back or side.
Seating arrangement in the shape of the letter "P".
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Theater scheme
A similar seating plan is used when organizing large-scale events with a large number of spectators, when all attention should be directed towards the intended stage. Seating is used at a variety of conferences, special events and ceremonies.
If the event involves a very large number of guests, then the chairs can be arranged in a semicircle, which will make the most efficient use of the space and provide the audience with a better view.
European seating chart
This seating option differs in that instead of one common table, several smaller individual tables are used. This allows you to accommodate guests in such a way as to unite them by age, interests, menu preferences, etc. This is a definite plus of this arrangement of tables.
However, taking advantage of the European seating arrangement
and by dividing your guests into smaller groups, you limit their ability to get to know each other better. Therefore, if your wedding celebration also has the goal of introducing the relatives of the bride and groom, then give the task to the host of the wedding reception so that he can think through competitions or other joint events for guests on both sides.
European table arrangements vary depending on the prevailing customs in a particular country.
European seating arrangement for wedding guests.
Round table for a birthday: how to seat guests?
- A round table will help to seat guests correctly at a birthday party. A small number of invitees will feel comfortable at the round table.
- Participants in the event will be able to see each other clearly and will be able to participate in general conversation. How to seat guests at a round table can be seen in the diagram below.
- An alternative could be a square or rectangle shape.
- The round table is conducive to holding official events. The absence of angularities has a certain magnetism.
English version of table arrangement
In England, the arrangement of tables differs in that square and rectangular tables are most often used, at least the newlyweds' table is usually rectangular in shape. Besides the bride and groom, other guests (parents or witnesses) most often sit behind him.
Care must be taken that guests do not sit with their backs to the newlyweds. To do this, the table of the bride and groom is most often placed not in the center of the hall, but against one of the walls, and the tables of the guests are placed in a checkerboard pattern or along the walls.
English seating.
American version
Buffet table arrangement At American weddings, buffet seating is also used. Long tables with treats are placed along the perimeter of the hall, and each guest can calmly come up and choose the dishes that he likes best. Guests are seated on long tables parallel to each other, placed with sufficient distance between them so that guests can conveniently approach the table with drinks and dishes. A separate table is set for the young. With this method of seating guests, or rather organizing catering, the costs of the banquet will be slightly lower. Since fewer waiters will be required and guests will be more free in choosing dishes. On the other hand, it is imperative to ensure that “queues for food” do not form, especially when guests are just starting to eat. Also, many guests may not approve of self-service.
Italian table seating
Another option for European seating is Italian. According to it, the table of the bride and groom is set in the presidium and, as a rule, on a raised podium, and the guests are seated at small round tables of 4 people each. This seating arrangement is ideal for a large room to comfortably accommodate a small wedding procession.
Italian table arrangement.
Scheme "W-shaped"
If there are quite a lot of guests and the U-shaped arrangement still does not allow everyone to be seated, you can place the tables in the letter W.
Herringbone table arrangement
An intermediate option that combines the advantages of traditional seating at a large table and European seating is a table arrangement called “Herringbone”.
With this arrangement of tables, you can comfortably accommodate a fairly large number of guests (50-60). Invitees can be grouped together at tables according to age or interests, while at each table there will be 10-12 people, enough to make new acquaintances and at the same time feel comfortable, because... There will be some familiar people.
The downside is that most guests will sit sideways or quarter-turn to the newlyweds.
Herringbone table arrangement.
"Reservation" on a plate
At a small house party, when the closest and dearest gather, guests usually take any seats. But at official crowded celebrations, such as an anniversary, wedding or wedding, it is better to take care of seating arrangements in advance. If you are hosting a meeting of friends and almost all the guests know each other well, invite them to play places at the table: place any pictures opposite the plates, for example with flowers or cars of different brands (which is more suitable for the theme of the party), and put paired images in a box and offer them to the guests draw these cards with your eyes closed. Whatever falls out, they will sit there. Or give the ladies and gentlemen the opportunity to blindly take opposite concepts, for example, “day” and “night,” “summer” and “winter,” and form semantic pairs from them. This will immediately involve guests in the game and create a relaxed atmosphere. If you don’t like such fun or are afraid of the turmoil that the pranks might turn into, place name cards in front of the plates in advance. If you place guests at different tables, indicate their table number in the invitation, and post the full floor plan of the hall in front of the entrance. And don’t forget – seat people next to each other not anyhow, but according to etiquette.
Leaders together with quiet ones
The highest class of hospitality is to take into account the temperament of each guest, evenly distributing cocky leaders and quiet ones, sociable talkers and shy silent ones. Then it won’t turn out that one end of the table will peacefully snore from boredom, and on the other there will be a battle for the title of the most cheerful and resourceful. And there shouldn’t be any uncomfortable seats at your feast. When arranging chairs, don't forget about the table legs! No one will like it if they have to spin around all evening, trying to fit their own legs somewhere. And if one or two seats happen to be close to the acoustic equipment, under no circumstances should you seat elderly people there.
Basic layout of furniture in a restaurant
The number of guests is already known - will there not be as many as it seemed? The traditional way of arranging furniture in one long row will be appropriate in this case. All invitees will sit at a large table, next to friends and relatives. In the absence of antipathies, the atmosphere at the holiday will be friendly and family. The newlyweds will be in full view of everyone. By the way, the table row does not have to be straight; you can arrange the furniture in a wave.
The following traditional letter-shaped seating options for guests at the wedding table are presented in the table.
| № | Furnishing method | When appropriate |
| 1. | "T" | A good option for small weddings with no more than 25 people. |
| 2. | "SH" | A suitable layout for a large number of guests. |
| 3. | "P" | Successful arrangement of furniture for medium-sized parties (30–50 people). |
Conclusion: first you need to decide who to invite, and then make a choice in favor of one scheme or another.
Spouses sit separately
Of course, it's better not to invite people who hate each other. But sometimes at large feasts this cannot be avoided. Therefore, try not only to seat the enemies in different corners of the table, but also make sure that they do not see each other, create a barrier between them in the form of a bouquet of flowers or a tall vase of fruit.
According to etiquette, husbands and wives should also sit separately. The only exceptions are older couples who find themselves in a youth company. Show them respect and seat them side by side in a place of honor. Also, you should not separate people between whom a romantic relationship has recently arisen: let the young man look after his companion - there is no need to make him jealous by giving her to the care of another man. But guests who come without a couple should be introduced and seated next to similar singles. And so that your neighbors have something to talk about, say a few words about the interests of each of them when you introduce them to each other.
T-shaped seating, U-shaped seating
We mentioned these types of table arrangements in a previous article.
Here we can add that, when applied to business events, T-shaped seating can be used for negotiations and meetings, where participants can be divided into two groups - “host” and “guest”. The place of the presidium is usually taken by the chairman of the “host” party.
T-shaped seating, U-shaped seating
U-shaped (sometimes called U-shaped seating) can be used for negotiations and seminars. The speaker has the opportunity to get as close as possible to each participant. The audience can be divided into several groups.
It should be noted that there may be more variations in the arrangement of rectangular tables. For example, W-shaped arrangement or “Herringbone” arrangement. They are mainly used for banquets, i.e. where food will be served and discussions will not take place.
W-shaped arrangement and herringbone arrangement
Horseshoe seating arrangement
Where it is used: events with a small number of participants - trainings, consultations, where direct communication between the speaker and the invitees is planned. It is assumed that the status of the guests is equal.
What it looks like: chairs are arranged in a small semicircle at an equal distance from the speaker.
Horseshoe seating arrangement
Seating of participants "Class"
Where it is used: suitable for conferences, training courses. Participants sit at tables, as if at desks, and can comfortably write and look through papers.
What it looks like: participants sit at tables (similar to a school desk). In front of them is a presidium, stage, and projector (a place for the main speaker or presenter).
What to pay attention to: rows that are too long are not very comfortable, it is better to do them with 2-4 people in one row. There must be room for passage between tables.
Seating of participants "Class"
Seating arrangement "Negotiations"
Where it is used: in events involving two equal teams. The number of participants in the groups is approximately equal. A classic example is negotiations.
What it looks like: the participants of each group are seated opposite each other at a rectangular table. Group leaders can take a seat on opposite sides of the table.
Seating arrangement "Negotiations"
