DW Advice: Who To Sit Where At Your Next Event

So you have decided what type of table you will have at your next special event but now you are taking on the daunting task of the dreaded seating chart! *Cue ominous music*  Yes, someone does have to sit next to your awkward Uncle Jimmy, and the distant cousin with the screaming, yet adorable, but still screaming baby.  How do you choose?  We all know it’s not the greatest being a date of a bridal party member as you are stuck at a table of people you don’t know.  And it’s especially awkward when you are one of two singles at a table where it is obvious that you are being set up by the hopeful and blissfully in love newlyweds.  The first rule in choosing where your family, friends, coworkers and obligated invited guests (we all have a few of those!) will sit is to forget all of the past rules and embrace the new trends the wedding and event industry has created.

Escort Table Design

Let’s focus on a few of the common issues most of us run into when deciding the seating logistics…  And while we’re at it, check out some beautiful, innovative, one of a kind escort inspirations DesignWorks has created in the past!

Escort Table Design

The Head Table

Traditionally, only the bridal party and newlyweds are to sit at the head table, peering at their guests as everyone dines at a fine feast.  Well, it is a good thing traditions have been thrown out like a bride’s bouquet!  Have you ever been someone’s date who is in the bridal party?  It is not fun!  You end up eating alone (well at a table full of strangers) and waiting on your date to be done with their bridal party duties (which never end)!  We at DW are loving the trend of having a large king’s table with the bridal party and their dates!  Why not share your newlywed bliss and spread the love by having your nearest and dearest with the ones they love (or at least like enough to be a date to your special day!).  Don’t want a large head table?  Opt for an intimate sweetheart table for you and your… Well, sweetheart!  The bridal party and their dates can dine at a table nearby!

 Escort Table Design

Family Feuds

Could you imagine how awkward it would have been to attend Romeo and Juliet’s wedding if they didn’t drink the Kool-Aid?  It is true, their parents didn’t like each other and it ended tragically, however, if they did get married, with a few strategically placed tables and assigned seating, the wedding would have gone off without a hitch!  Or if *spoiler alert* the Stark family sat at a different table, they could have escaped, and the Red Wedding would have never happened!  We suppose that was a spoiler alert, and nerd alert!  We digress…  Take into consideration the personalities that you are inviting.  Don’t sit the loud cousins who love an open bar next to grandma and grandpa.  Avoid sitting the kids table next to the twenty something’s who still consider their pet’s as children.  If you have aunts who fight after a cocktail, try keeping them at a distance for at least the sitting portion of the event.  Do you see a trend here?  Keep the clashing personalities at separate tables and sides of the room.

 Escort Table Design

Making Everyone Happy

This may counter everything we have just told you, but when it comes down to it, your sanity and happiness is the most important thing.  If you cannot get around sitting your two friends who used to be besties turned frenemies at the same table, it is okay.  They will get over it because in the end, the night is about you!

Escort Table Design

Assigned seating can help you stay organized, ensure everyone has a seat they could be happy with, and can be with those they know and love.  It can even help the flow of the reception!  If you have a few rowdy buddies from college, sit them next to the dance floor, they will make sure to get the party started!  If you have sentimental family members who’s dream is for you to have a perfect wedding, sit them close to you and let them get a front row view of the beauty of the day.

Enjoy some more Escort Table ideas by DW and happy designing!

Escort Table Design

Escort Table Design

Escort Table Design

Escort Table Design

Post written by  Megan Grose

Photography by Paige Eden, Michael Roffino, Jared Wilson, James Christianson, Studio JK

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