Seating for a wedding with your own hands. All about seating arrangements for wedding guests. Tips and ideas for organization. Stands and holders for beautiful seating cards

Seating is not just a scheme of tables and names, it is a guarantee good mood and the convenience of all those present: both you and your guests, and the presenter. In this article, we have put together some wedding seating recommendations for you.

1. We plan seating in advance

Preparing a seating chart is not something that can be easily completed on the eve of the wedding, it is a serious matter, by solving which, you can save yourself from numerous problems during the wedding evening. Seating can be planned in three stages:

After the list of guests is compiled, and the site is selected, feel free to sit down to draw up the very first, “raw” seating plan. It is worth estimating how many people will sit at one table, how many tables there will be, how you can divide the guests so that they are interested in each other. The layout of the furniture and the number of tables, which means the menu and decor, also depend on the first seating plan.
After the guests have received invitations and answered yes / no to them by the specified date, a more accurate seating chart can be drawn up. Remove from the plan those who cannot come and distribute the remaining guests according to their age, hobbies, etc. This is usually done at least 2 weeks before the celebration. It is this seating chart that should be sent to the organizer and decorator to prepare the chart and seating cards.
It happens that one of the guests, due to unforeseen circumstances, cannot come, and someone calls a soul mate with them, and you find out about it just a couple of days before the wedding. At the time of such clarifications, a few days before the celebration, the final seating plan should be drawn up. All clarifications must be reported to your team, and the final list should be sent to the host and banquet manager of the site.

The sooner you start planning, the easier it will be to make adjustments later and keep the numerous seating costs under control.

2. Analyze the guest list

To create a seating plan, the guest list must be analyzed. Make a table in which the first column is the name of the guest; the second column is kinship/relationships/family affiliation: for example, the groom's friend or the bride's sister; in the third, indicate the age category. After that, start distributing the guests to the tables. In doing so, you should pay attention to:

Age: it is better to seat older guests next to each other so that young people do not interfere with them to have a good time and relax.
With a couple / without a couple: a wedding is a great opportunity to meet interesting people, so it’s better to sit single friends and relatives at the same table, but it’s better to sit couples together, so they will be more comfortable.
Relations: if a company of friends gathered at the wedding who have been together all their lives, regardless of whether they are alone or in pairs, it is better to put them at the same table: they will be happy to spend the evening together. And if former lovers are invited to the wedding, and even with their current halves, it is worth seating them at different tables.
Hobbies and characters: you know your guests and you will certainly understand who will be more interested at the table with whom: who is quiet, and who will be happy to have a drink. Keep this in mind when planning your seating plan.

But belonging to the family of the bride or groom should be taken into account only when it comes to relatives who will be very happy to talk to each other. It is better to plant friends together, regardless of which side they are on: in the future they will have to communicate in your common company.

3. Determine the type of seating

Depending on the list of guests and the features of the site, you should also decide on the type of seating:

- European seating: round tables for 8-10 people. This is the most popular seating arrangement and most wedding venues offer it. If the seating at such tables is too dense, it is likely that some of the guests will not see the newlyweds during the evening. Therefore, if possible, seat the guests not around the entire perimeter of the table, but only in those places from which you and the groom will be visible.
- Rectangular individual tables: designed for 6-10 people. A great option for those who want to make a more formal dinner option and use non-standard table setting. Here you can put the composition along the entire table, seat the guests so that everyone can see the heroes of the occasion. But it should be remembered that such a seating arrangement takes up a lot of space in the hall, so carefully plan the space so that there is a margin for the dance floor and free movement around the hall.
- Long common table: 1 or 2 common tables without a separate table for the bride and groom. This type is used at small, home, chamber weddings, where the number of guests is small, which means that you can not set up separate tables and separate guests.
- Letter "P": The seating arrangement, familiar to many since the time of our parents, has not lost its relevance, having slightly adapted to modern standards. The table of the newlyweds can be placed a little separately and leave 2 tables for guests. Dividing guests into two camps should be avoided: from the side of the groom and from the side of the bride. Such a seating arrangement is used at weddings less and less often: with it, guests from the same company do not have the opportunity to communicate with each other freely, since they can only see well the guest sitting next to them and the guests opposite.

4. Seating the most important guests

The most important guests at your wedding are, of course, your parents. And about where to plant them, you need to think especially carefully. Firstly, they should be seated at the same table next to each other, because a wedding is a kind of symbol of unity, so they should get to know and talk, and also feel like part of the same family. It is up to you whether to allocate a separate table for them or not, but it is worth planting them next to you in order to thereby show your respect and gratitude. If you have chosen a non-European seating plan, then you can sit down with your parents yourself: it will be pleasant for both them and yourself, because the closest ones will be nearby on such an exciting day.

5. Don't overload tables

How often do we face the problem “we can’t separate the guests, so instead of the required 10 people, we have 12 at the table”! Of course, it sounds harmless, but it is better to think 10 times before making such a decision. Each table with any seating plan is designed for a certain number of people for a reason. For a comfortable seat at the table, at least 60 cm per person should fall, and with an increase in the number of people, this place is reduced to 40 cm.

And this means that the guests will sit at the table literally elbow to elbow, and the chairs will be back to back, which will be inconvenient for both themselves and the waiters. In addition, a large number of guests at the table complicates serving, because there will be much less space for plates, cutlery and food. What to do? Revise the seating plan or completely change its type: you can, for example, replace round tables with rectangular ones, and add a smaller table to the rectangular ones.

6. Making a seating layout

To visually see what happened after analyzing the guest list, sorting and seating, it is best to make a layout. What will be needed for this? If you do not have special computer programs, then prepare a large sheet of paper and cut out tables and chairs in squares and circles, depending on what kind of furniture will be. You need to do this on a scale to see the real picture, so ask the manager on the site about the size of the room and all the objects that it has: a stage, a bar counter, etc. And it's best to ask him for a floor plan.

Arrange the cut out tables and chairs according to the seating arrangement and allow for space for the dance floor or other areas. If in the process of drawing up the layout you see that there is not enough space, it's time to come up with a plan "B" and change the seating arrangement or move additional areas outside the hall. For example, in the summer you can take the dance floor to the veranda or to the street, if the territory allows. Or move the photo zone or the wish zone to another room. Be sure to discuss the furniture arrangement with the facilitator and organizer to make sure the plan is reasonable.

7. We prepare a seating plan and seating cards

The seating plan is an integral part of a calm and reasonable wedding dinner: guests do not crowd at the entrance, do not lament that they did not have enough space next to friends, everyone takes their place, admires the table setting, which the decorators carefully thought out, and rejoices at the small compliment left for him at the table. Be sure to point out to your facilitator where the seating plan is, and remind guests to introduce it to guests early during the welcome buffet so they don't crowd in front of the seating area just before dinner starts.

If the position of the guests at the table itself also plays a role, then it is worth leaving a seating card at each seat. They can be both classic paper and more original in design: the guest's name can be left on some fruit, film or gift tag.

A wedding banquet is an event attended by a large number of people. That is why the bride and groom should make sure that all the invitees feel comfortable and convenient in advance. When preparing for a wedding, it is important to pay special attention to such a moment as drawing up a seating plan for guests. It is necessary so that all people present at the wedding feel at ease. They should be able to clearly see everything that is happening, in addition, the newlyweds should give the same amount of attention to all guests so that they do not feel alienated.

What newlyweds should know and consider when drawing up a seating plan on their own

Before making a do-it-yourself wedding seating plan, you should make a list of them. In it, of course, at the initial stages there will not be an exact number of people, since circumstances may develop in such a way that some of them will not be able to attend your holiday.

Thereafter be sure to choose a room in which you decide to celebrate this great event. When choosing it, it is necessary to be guided by such factors as financial capabilities. By the way, they should be taken into account in the first place. You also need to pay attention to the number of people and the style in which your wedding will be held.. The administration of a restaurant or cafe, most likely, will offer you a choice of two options for planning the hall you rented: three tables with the letter "P"(the table of relatives and friends of the groom, the table of the guests of the bride, the table of the newlyweds) or seat everyone at separate tables of four to six people. By making such a choice, should take into account the size of the room, the scenario of the wedding, as well as how convenient this or that option will be for you and for those invited. Do not forget that in the first case, when three large tables are laid in the banquet hall, there should be enough space between them for competitions and wedding ceremonies. Besides, guests should be able to leave the table freely without disturbing other people. When drawing up a seating plan for people at a wedding, it is imperative to take into account such factors as:

degree and proximity of relationship. Surely, the native aunt and her family will be somewhat offended by the young if they get places at a sufficient distance from the young, next to whom work colleagues and not too close friends will sit. It is better to seat relatives and good friends as close as possible to the newlyweds;
marital status. If you are seating people at separate tables, make sure couples sit together;
age. Elderly people should not be seated at separate tables along with young people. Surely both of them will not feel too comfortable;
community of interest. This, of course, may seem strange to you, but this factor should also be taken into account when drawing up a seating plan for people at this kind of event. After all, in between toasts, competitions and dances, people will talk to each other, which means they should have common topics for conversation.

Seating plans for guests according to etiquette

Making a seating plan for wedding guests basic rules of etiquette should also be taken into account. So, for example, according to the rules, men should take places in left side from women. By the way, this also applies to newlyweds. The groom must sit on the left side of the bride. What other rules of etiquette should be observed when drawing up a seating plan for people invited to a wedding?

Unusual template seating plans used in various countries

Until recently, weddings in Russia were celebrated, as a rule, at several tables arranged in the shape of the letter “P”. Today, such accommodation of guests is considered not very convenient.

However, if the wedding takes place in small room, but there are quite the contrary guests on it - a lot, this method will, perhaps, be the most profitable in terms of accommodating people. What methods of seating guests at a wedding exist in other countries and can be used at your celebration as well?

USA

In America, the wedding, as well as most other holidays where a large number of people gather, is celebrated in the form of a buffet table. Two large tables are laid, which are parallel to each other. They should be placed in such a way that guests can move freely around the hall and have the opportunity to communicate with each other. The table for newlyweds and witnesses should be placed separately.

Italy

At Italian wedding celebrations, the bride and groom sit at a table that is set on the podium. The rest of the people present at the celebration sit around them at round tables. This seating plan at a wedding is extremely convenient, since guests can perfectly see everything that happens at the table of the newlyweds, they can safely take a photo of the bride and groom as a keepsake. In addition, they have the opportunity to calmly move around the room and communicate with each other.

Great Britain

In Great Britain the table of the newlyweds is located separately. The rest of the guests sit eight people at each table.. The British consider this method of seating the most convenient, since eight people sitting together will have the opportunity to perfectly see everything that happens at the wedding, and will also be able to communicate with each other.

The main thing here is to pay attention to factors such as the age of the guests sitting together, the degree of their relationship and common interests. So, the bride's relatives should not be seated at the same table with the groom's work colleagues, as they may have problems in communication.

You can also place tables for guests and newlyweds in the shape of the letter "T". For a smaller part, of course, there will be newlyweds and witnesses. The parents of the bride and groom can also be accommodated here. This method of seating is convenient because guests can leave their seats and come back without disturbing other participants of the event. In addition, all the guests sitting at the table in the shape of the letter “T” will have an excellent view of the table of the newlyweds. This method can be used if the wedding is celebrated in a small room, and many people will be present at it.

How to make your own wedding seating plan

If you are going to make a seating plan for guests yourself, and not order from professionals, it is not necessary to use one of the above templates. Let's say you liked the Italian seating arrangement the most. However, the restaurant you have chosen for your wedding celebration does not have a podium that is prerequisite Italian wedding. There is nothing wrong with this - you can easily do without it. Make a list of guests in advance and before you go to the banquet hall of your choice to conclude a lease agreement with the management of the restaurant or cafe, ask as many people from the list as possible if they can decorate your holiday with their presence. When you negotiate with the restaurant administration about holding a celebration, be sure to say that you want to seat guests at separate tables. Experienced catering staff will advise you on how best to place them in such a way that all guests can watch the holiday from comfortable positions.

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After an agreement with the restaurant administration is reached, you can go home and start thinking about which of the guests to sit at which tables. Naturally, next to the newlyweds there should be places for the closest friends and relatives.. Since the groom, according to the rules of etiquette, should sit on the left side of the bride, on this side, according to the same unspoken rules, the places of his friends and relatives should be located. Accordingly, according to right side guests should be placed from the side of the bride. For each person invited to the wedding, the newlyweds need to make a seating card with a table number. It should be handed over along with an invitation in person or sent by mail. If you don’t have the time and desire to make such tickets, write the table numbers directly on the invitation cards, which each guest will take with him to the celebration anyway. In this way, you will save your time and notify the people invited to the celebration about where the place is intended for them at the wedding. Well, how you can create an original seating card yourself, you will learn from the following video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1rHEpPpfHs

In order for the wedding to be peaceful and fun, you should worry about the seating plan for the guests in advance. In the Russian tradition, when preparing for an event, it is customary to pay more attention to the choice of dishes and drinks on the table. Practice shows that this approach is not bad, but far from perfect. The event will be much more fun if you take advantage of new trends and foreign experience in organizing holidays.

Why you need a seating plan

Very often, the imaginary picture of the newlyweds' festive feast is much brighter and more interesting than reality. Most often, the problem is not a meager table, not a lack of good alcohol, and not a festive decoration. Banal silence and boredom at the table can turn a chicly decorated banquet hall into a dull sight. To avoid similar situation, it is worth considering in advance and drawing up a template plan for seating guests at a wedding.

How to seat guests at a wedding

A wedding is a celebration in which two families, in fact, become one. This is not about the newlyweds, but about their relatives and close friends. So that the guests do not "clump" with the usual companies and do not sit in silence, it is worth planting representatives of both sides interspersed. So friends of the bride and groom can get to know each other. Break your family into small groups, perhaps married couples or adult siblings, and bring similar couples from both sides around the same table.

When planning, keep in mind the age and personal preferences of the guests. It is a very bad idea to put an avid hunter and a lover of our smaller brothers with an active lifestyle at the same table. But to place an artist and a musician close to each other is a good move. Also, do not raise the problems of fathers and children at the holiday, try to take into account the age of the guests when determining places. Proper seating of guests is a guarantee of a lively conversation at the table.

Examples and templates for the design of the seating plan for guests at a wedding

It is not enough just to draw up a seating plan on a piece of paper. Guests must be familiarized with the arrangement of tables and their place. Otherwise, the crowd of invitees will simply rush around the hall in search of cards with their names.

To solve the problem, it is worth drawing up a large-format seating plan for guests at the entrance to the entrance. The design of the stand should be consistent with the general style of the wedding.

The wedding seating template is very simple. Sheets of paper on the stand are arranged according to the arrangement of tables in the celebration hall. In the title of each sheet, you must indicate the number of the table, then list the names and surnames of the guests located behind it. You can order such a plan in any baguette shop.

DIY wedding seating templates

It's no secret that sometimes even the bride and groom are not able to name all the guests at the wedding. Relatives on both sides sometimes have no idea who they are talking to, as a result, unpleasant situations and incidents may arise.

Abroad, at celebrations, a fun game called Find your face, find your place is very popular. Literally, this phrase can be translated as "I found my face - I found my place." The essence of the idea is to hang small photographs along with the names in the seating plan of the guests. This will give guests the opportunity to know in advance with whom they will sit at the same table, and avoid embarrassing moments.

You can entrust the implementation of such a stand to professionals, but in order to avoid mistakes, make it better with your own hands. In fact, it is no more difficult than drawing a poster for a school wall newspaper - it does not require special talents.

Why do we need guest name cards

A beautiful seating plan for guests is great, but again not enough. Duplicate the seating with name cards on the tables.

Cards will help the host of the event to determine the location of the main characters entertainment program holiday, and waiters will be able to quickly find guests and fulfill their requests. And again, nameplates will help guests get to know each other and remember each other's names. Wedding seating templates and cards should be made in the same style.

Name Card Design Options

For seating depends on the overall theme of the wedding design. For example, if the main motive is autumn, then the cards can be made on gold or orange paper, and the table numbers can be indicated in the form of falling leaves. Cards carry important information, so do not overload them with excessive design.

It is better to make signs in a minimalist style: a small neat pattern and a name. This is a win-win option that always looks elegant. Sometimes you can deviate from the golden rule. If the program of the event is full of events and personal instructions and explanations are required for the guests, then it is possible to make plates instead of name cards.

Such plates can contain all the information necessary for guests and be used as props during competitions. This design option can be implemented only if it is really necessary. Signs take up a lot of space and will interfere with guests more than clarify what is happening.

Ready-made design templates

Cards do not have to be ordered from a professional designer in the printing industry. You can use ready-made free templates for seating arrangements for guests at a wedding. All you need is a computer, printer, paper and scissors.

You need to print the required number of sheets. Then cut out the cards along the lines, enter the name by hand and bend in the center. If you have a color printer at your disposal, then the task is greatly simplified. It will be possible not to be limited to black and white design, but to boldly choose bright prints and patterns.

The above templates have a common style of performance, so even different cards will look harmonious on the same table. Instead of multi-colored patterns, you can get by with colored paper. One way to emphasize that guests belong to the side of the bride or groom is to print cards in two colors, for example, yellow for the guests of the bride, and brown for the guests of the groom.

DIY name cards

Even in the absence of a printer and a computer, you can make exclusive pointers with your own hands, and quickly. This will require a lot of cardboard, glue, glitter and a fountain pen. An example of execution can be seen in the photo below.

First you need to decide on the shape of the cards, in the example in the image the bottom edge is cut out in the form of waves. You can buy a special hole punch in the needlework store and greatly simplify your task. Curly knives of the device will help you quickly and easily make stars, hearts, leaves and other shapes around the edges.

Next, you need to apply glue to the edge of the paper and dip it in sparkles. Then, excess dusting is carefully removed from the card. beautifully enter the name of the guest. Writing in ink is not easy, you need to either practice on a separate sheet or use more familiar and convenient writing tools. The highlight will be a short personal wish for guests on each card.

Figured hole punchers can cut not only waves, but also various animals and patterns. The device can be used to make another design option for name cards for guests.

These cards are made from simple craft cardboard and round napkins made with a figured hole punch. In the center of the napkins, you need to write the name by hand and stick it to the support cardboard.

It is not difficult to make when their number does not exceed 50 pieces. For large celebrations with a long list of guests, it is better to seek help from professionals in their field. The organization of celebrations is rarely complete without the services of interior designers. The cost of cards and a seating stand will simply be lost in the total costs. Personal participation is required at the stage of compiling the list of guests and their seating plan in the hall.

Publication date: 03.10.2017 11:28

Seating guests at a wedding is no easy task. Many newlyweds do not even think about its importance. After all, this is not just a list of names with table numbers. it main secret happy holiday. None of the guests will rejoice in the fact that they will have to feast at the same table with an unpleasant person. Therefore, you should make a plan in advance where and with whom the invited guests will sit, so that everyone is comfortable at the holiday. We hurry to help you!

Why is a seating plan necessary?

1. Any guest can not worry about his place if he is a little late and comes after the start of the celebration. His place will not be taken, and you will not have to run around the hall in the middle of the banquet in search of a free chair.

2. With the right seating best friends or families will definitely sit at the same table. This means they will feel comfortable.

3. The seating of guests will help to avoid uncomfortable situations. It is unlikely that any of the guests will want to sit at a table with strangers. And young people are not eager to sit in the company of older couples.

4. For restaurant waiters, guest lists with table numbers are very important. Among the guests may be, for example, allergy sufferers. Thanks to a detailed list, waiters will not confuse plates with dishes, and everyone will receive the treat that is prepared especially for him, taking into account tastes and needs.

5. Knowing who is sitting at which table, guests will be able to quickly take their places in the hall. So, seating will help to avoid unnecessary fuss in the banquet hall.

Who is doing the planning?

Seating planning at a banquet is a direct responsibility of both the groom and the bride. This responsibility cannot be shifted to the wedding organizer. After all, only newlyweds know the interests, needs and characters of their guests. The newlyweds can plan the seating separately, that is, only from their side. But it's better to do the planning together. If distant relatives are invited to the celebration, then parents can also be involved in the process.
When planning, you can be interested in the opinion of guests. But this fact is best used only for the closest people, for example, for a family (parents, grandparents), for best friends. If you take into account the wishes of each guest, you can easily get confused. Then there will be more dissatisfied people at the wedding than we would like.

When to start planning?

Since the seating of guests is determined by the number of invited people, the plan must be drawn up at the very end. First you need to send out invitations and wait for affirmative answers. Before that, it is worth clarifying the number of tables and their exact location, the total area of \u200b\u200bthe banquet hall.

It is best to start planning a few weeks before the ceremony. To avoid problems, you can warn all invitees so that they give an answer as soon as possible. If some guests do not respond for a long time, then you can proceed to the plan without their consent. It is worth remembering that a large number of guests requires more time for reflection.

You should also think about spare empty seats. It happens that a guest changes his plans right before the wedding, and decides to attend the celebration and congratulate the newlyweds. Then you can be sure that everyone will get a seat at the table.

If the tables are rectangular, then it is better not to plant anyone at the end (narrow edge of the table). Let decor take over.

The most common seating methods

When planning seating, young couples often encounter difficulties, so they have to change the plan several times, playing all possible configurations. You can make a layout of the hall and signs with the names of guests. This will allow you to clearly see the situation and not get confused.

First you need to choose the type of seating arrangement:

1. Most celebrations are decorated in European style. That is, they cover large round tables, at which usually up to 10 people sit. In this case, the main thing is to arrange the tables correctly so that each guest is facing the newlyweds, and not sitting with his back to them.

2. A good option would be the arrangement of tables in the form of the letter "P".

3. You can also arrange several long rectangular tables. But the guests of the bride and groom should not be seated separately. This will divide the hall into two "camps". It is better to seat them so that they can freely communicate and share their impressions.

Sometimes a young couple decides to have a modest wedding, inviting only close relatives. Then one common table should be laid. Thanks to this solution, an atmosphere of a quiet family dinner will be created. Here it is important to determine the places for the newlyweds.

Seating for important guests

Having decided on the places for the newlyweds, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the seating of the parents. The best option- put them at the same table. This way they can get to know each other better. The wedding of two young people is not only the union of two lovers and the creation new family. It is also the union of two large families.
Best friends should be seated at the same table with the bride and groom. Sometimes they are given one common table, where they can easily get to know each other and chat. And it's very important point. After all, after the wedding, the newlyweds have friends in common.
Don't forget about grandparents. A bad option would be their seating next to the aisle. Then they will have to get up often to let the guest through. And at their age it will become a problem. It is best to plant them with relatives, then they will feel cozy and comfortable among loved ones, and they will have something to talk about.

We put a clearly visible number on each table so that guests can easily find theirs. And so that the invitees sit correctly not only within the table, but each in their own predetermined place - take care of personalized banquet cards.

Free seating

Shouldn't the guests decide where to sit? By the way, we are all adults! However, statistical studies show that 84% of guests invited to a wedding prefer an organized, well-thought-out seating plan.

Loose seating sounds nice, but unfortunately it rarely works in practice, and here's why:

there can be a fuss about finding the "best" places
placing guests at the tables will take much longer. They can still walk around the hall when the treat is already served.
the beautiful decoration of the hall and tables can be spoiled by the sight of jackets and jackets left by guests on chairs in order to “take a seat”
it will end up with the last few guests wandering between tables looking like outcasts looking for a seat at the banquet table
couples may be separated
as a result, relatives of the age may end up in places where they will not hear and see well enough
if uninvited people drop in to your celebration, they can take the places intended for your invited guests

Basic seating arrangements

Central location for honeymooners. The bride sits to the right of the groom.
Basic condition perfect seating arrangement is comfort. Invited people should be comfortable at the table, where they can calmly communicate. Therefore, it is worth considering their interests, age and preferences.
Seat close relatives and best friends closer to the table of the newlyweds. This will be pleasant for them, and will also facilitate your communication with them at the holiday.
Keep in mind that wherever the guest sits, he must see the newlyweds.
It is better to sit next to already familiar people, so they will have something to chat about.
Introduce strangers to each other to avoid embarrassment.
Consider the sympathies of your guests. Guests who have a dislike for each other should sit at different tables.
Particularly active ringleaders and merry fellows plant at a distance from each other so that they amuse every part of the table.
It is better not to plant people without a couple among spouses, perhaps he or she will not be able to join the company of "married people".
If you have many guests, prepare a seating plan and seating cards in advance so that no one gets confused.
The interests of those sitting next to each other should at least slightly coincide so that they have something to discuss.
Guests with children should not be seated too close to the sound equipment, it should also be convenient for them to leave the table if necessary.
Do not group guests by gender. Try to seat men and women through one.
For children, you can organize a separate table, and if there are not many of them, then next to their parents.

When planning a wedding banquet, in addition to the menu and the list of invitees, you need to take care of how to seat the guests. When placing them at the tables, not only age is taken into account, but also the interests, marital status and even the way of thinking of each guest, so that everyone is comfortable throughout the celebration. For relatives and friends to borrow for festive table the seats designated for them use seating cards.

Individual seating cards are beautifully designed postcards indicating a place at the table for a specific person. They are placed next to the plate or attached to the stem of the glass. Such original accessories have already become an indispensable attribute of any wedding.

Seating cards for wedding celebration perform several important functions:

save time: finding your place at the table with their help is much easier;
emphasize care newlyweds about the comfort of guests;
complement the festive table setting.

Idea! Name indexes often act as a gift for guests, which they will take home as a keepsake of the celebration.

Handmade postcards will add a unique atmosphere to the holiday. But in the absence of free time for creativity, their preparation is entrusted to professionals. For a large number of guests, it is more expedient to order cards from a printing house.

When choosing cards for seating, they first of all pay attention to style and. If the celebration is decorated in pastel colors, then the signs are made in the same shades. For a rainbow wedding, bright contrasting colors are acceptable.

Most often, seating cards are made in the same style as other wedding accessories.

Price finished product depends on the design. The price for simpler options varies between 50-70 rubles. When ordering cards from a calligrapher - from 80 rubles. The price of complex curly products starts from 100 rubles. The cost of products with additional decor is calculated individually.

Design Ideas

Various materials are used to decorate cards. The main thing is that they are combined with the mood and style of the ceremony.

For a rustic celebration suitable wooden planks or pots with indoor plants;
For popular fruit weddings put apples, oranges, pomegranates, lemons on the table and attach cards to them;
For a rainbow wedding postcards are fixed on cupcakes with multi-colored cream or macaroons;
For cards with berries will be an excellent option;
For a romantic ceremony the names of invited guests are written on postcards depicting butterflies, birds or flowers;
For use cones coated with gold or silver spray paint;
For a stylish wedding you can use imitations of old vinyl records;
In the classic version seating card with the name of the guest is designed in the form of a house.

Interesting! Emphasize the originality of the newlyweds will help designer cardboard or fancy paper. The choice is very large: from metallized options to textured patterned leaves. Using the services of a professional calligrapher, you can get exquisite banquet cards self made with beautifully written text.

Postcards

A classic version of the place indicator at the festive table is a postcard. Such seating cards are decorated with ribbons, braid or applications. Inside, you can write a few warm words for each guest, leave a wish or remember a funny moment from a common past. Beautiful and original postcards give the ceremony a festive mood.

So, for a wedding in country or Provence style, banquet cards are made using unusual fabrics. To give them a rigid shape, thick cardboard is inserted inside. If time permits, the names of the guests are embroidered with thread.

On a stand

Banquet cards can be placed on separate stands with particular attention paid to its design. When choosing a holder, it is important that it fits into the style of the wedding celebration.

The basis is flower arrangements, fruits, pots with indoor plants, figurines. You can also fix the card on a glass or a decorative candle.

The original solution is to fix the banquet card on the bonbonniere. This is a beautifully designed box that the guest will take as a souvenir after the buffet is over. Candies, cookies, cakes or any other sweets are placed in it.

figurines

Banquet cards in the form of figures will have to be ordered from a professional. Making them at home is extremely difficult. These original accessories will impress the guests and decorate the place where the buffet is held. You can order cards in the form of dresses for the bride and groom.

Idea! An origami crane sign is perfect for a Japanese-style wedding.

Figured pointers are made not only from paper, but also from wood, glass, and metal. It can be either an openwork paper butterfly, fixed on the edge of the glass, or a cheerful bird made of tree bark.

Other options

And a few more original ideas in the wedding piggy bank:

From corrugated paper make cards in the form of medals and hang them on the back of a chair;
Banquet cards using photos of guests are one of the most original options. Pre-printed frames are inserted into postcards and an inscription is added to them. In the future, the photo can be pasted into the wish book. So, each guest will be able to leave a wish to the newlyweds under his image;
You can fix postcards on miniature copies of furniture in the banquet hall;
A very romantic option - cards using fresh or artificial flowers- single buds, miniature compositions, small bouquets.

DIY

Having decided to make banquet cards with your own hands, remember two points:

start production in advance in order to have time to prepare all the signs for the ceremony;
be sure to make a few spare postcards to enter the guest's name manually, if necessary, already at the banquet.

The easiest option is classic paper postcards. Using scissors, cut out a rectangle of the desired size. Then they bend it in half and decorate it with prepared decorations, fixing them with glue, double-sided tape or a stapler. A hole is made with a hole punch and the name of the guest is fixed on the ribbon.

materials

Decorations for banquet cards are selected individually. Ribbons, rhinestones, sequins or beads are perfect for a classic wedding. If the celebration is decorated in nautical style, then pebbles, shells, corals are used for decoration. Decorations in the form of flowers, bows or applications will be appropriate at any wedding.

To make a do-it-yourself index, you will need:

paper or cardboard;
ordinary scissors;
glue;
Double-sided tape;
curly scissors;
decorative ornaments;
hole puncher.

Template selection

When choosing a template, pay attention to the stylistic and color design of the ceremony.

Pointers can be made in the form of birds, animals, favorite serial characters of the bride and groom, or have any other shape. The choice of the appropriate option depends on the imagination, needlework skills and the sense of taste of the newlyweds.

Download ready-made templates

You can view seating cards online. The selected option is printed on the printer. Ready-made layouts for printing usually do not require additional decoration. However, if you wish, you can decorate them yourself.

With a limited budget, give preference to ready-made layouts that are presented on the network. Design pointers will cost much more.

Below are a few options beautiful templates which can be downloaded for free from our website:

Design

When developing a design, several important points are taken into account:

Banquet cards should be combined with other wedding accessories;
If the wedding is decorated in a certain color style, it is also used when making postcards;
The names of the guests are written legibly. If the text is printed on a computer, large print must be used;
The size of the pointers should be in harmony with the overall design of the table;
On the table, cards should not interfere and restrict access to treats.

Advice! Cards are fixed with double-sided tape, glue, decorative clothespins or stickers.

Types of table arrangements at a wedding

In the European and American version of the wedding buffet, it is assumed that guests will be assigned to their places in advance. For table numbering, not only numbers are used, but also the names of favorite groups, series, films or cities. This option is especially relevant for.

Having decided on the number of guests and the room, choose the type of table arrangement:

The classic version is good for a small wedding. Guests sit at one long table. If more than 20-25 people are expected, it will be inconvenient for them to communicate with each other;
P-shaped- one of the most popular options when the newlyweds are at the head in the company of witnesses. Ideal for a large number of guests in a small room;
In the form of the letter T or G- suitable for a wedding with the number of guests from 30 to 40 people;
To accommodate guests at a large noisy wedding of 50 people or more, Tables are arranged in the shape of the letter W. Nearby it is best to plant closely familiar guests or group them according to their interests;
Buffet tables. They will allow the bride and groom to communicate with each guest closer. To make the newlyweds visible from any corner, their table is placed in the center of the hall;
Banquet in European style. Tables are arranged in a checkerboard pattern. A separate podium is created for the table of the heroes of the occasion.

Some tips for seating guests:

The parents of the bride and groom, as well as witnesses, should sit next to the newlyweds;
The table at which the newlyweds sit is set in the most prominent place;
Men and women are planted alternately;
Colleagues at the table are arranged according to age and interests;
No more than ten people should sit at a separate table;
If there are many children at the wedding, they are given a separate table;
In addition to seating cards, there should be a large general seating plan for guests at the tables;
People who come together cannot be seated at separate tables;
Former spouses should be put away from each other.

As a rule, guests at the wedding are met by the manager. They turn to him for help if there are difficulties in finding the right place.

Useful video

Wedding seating cards are another full-fledged element of decorating the hall, so you should carefully consider both their design and optimal distribution, and the video will help with this:

Conclusion

Thanks to beautifully designed accessories, there is a general impression of the holiday. Seating cards can be presented at the end of the holiday to guests as a souvenir. To make the gift a pleasant surprise, you need to follow the suggested recommendations and approach the design of the signs with all your heart.