Seating

Securing a good seat at the head tables for the parents is one of the most overlooked details in planning for that perfect wedding. At the end of cocktail hour the matre'd will usually gather the parents and bridal party and prepare them for the main introductions. While you and your bridal party are being lined up the guests will be led into the main ballroom and take their seats at their respective tables. As it is in our nature to grab the best seats possible what usually happens is that by the time the parents are introduced into the room and eventually make it to their table all of the best seats are taken and the parents end up sitting with their backs to the dais and dance floor. To avoid this you can employ one of two options. The more expensive way is to purchase Mom and Dad toasting glasses and place them at the best seats at the table. The less expensive and recommended way is to have someone place the parent's seating cards on top of the dishes at the head table where you want them to sit.

Creative Seating Ideas........

I've seen several creative ways in which brides and grooms have designated the tables at their reception. Instead of numbering the tables I've seen couples assign a type of wine for each table. Other themes included playbills from broadway shows, types of flowers, and one of the most interesting ideas I have come across was from a couple who met and lived in Manhattan. Each table at their reception was named after a New York City landmark. What was really interesting to me was that there was a short story attached to each of these landmarks detailing certain dates and special moments the couple and their families shared at these landmarks. One of these landmarks was a cruise line that takes you around the island of Manhattan. The accompanying story told how the bride told her mom who was also on the cruise not to get used the the new guy because he was probably not going to be around for much longer. Fortunately fate decided otherwise and they grew to be inseperable.