Planning the seating chart for your wedding can sometimes feel like a strategic game. For some couples, it is as easy as grouping their friends together, while for others, it is a fine balance between etiquette, relations, and visibility.
Couples may be so focused on the seating arrangement for their guests’ tables that they forget the very own table they are sitting at. Zooming in on the Bridal, a.k.a. the VIP table, this article will give you the ultimate guide to your very own VIP table seating.
Round Tables
If you only have or wish to have 1 VIP Table
Some families are small enough to be seated at a single table of ten, which makes it easy for the couple to seat everyone in the immediate family at this table.
For some couples, though, just their immediate family can add up to quite a number, especially if there are also nephews and nieces. In this case, to fit everyone in a single table, request a bigger table from the venue. Some hotels have tables that could seat twelve or even up to twenty people!
Typically, the groom’s guests will occupy the left side of the space facing the front of the room while the bride takes up the right side.
The bride and groom will sit at the VIP table facing their guests. The groom will then be on the side where his guests are while the bride takes the other side. Next to the couple would be their parents, followed by grandparents, siblings and/or important relatives, respectively.
If you have or wish to have 2 VIP Tables
This is the traditional approach in which the bride sits with her new family.
At the first VIP table, sometimes called the Bridal Table, the bride and groom sit with the groom’s immediate family. Together with the couple at this table will be the groom’s parents, grandparents, siblings, and/or important relatives. This table is usually on the left side of the room, along with the rest of the groom’s guests.
Consequently, the bride’s guests will take up the right side of the ballroom. The second VIP table for the bride’s immediate family members will also be here on the right side. This table will be occupied by the bride’s parents, grandparents, siblings, and important relatives.
Long Tables
Long Horizontal Tables
For long horizontal tables, the couple and family are typically seated facing the guests. The couple takes the middle seats and has their family on their sides.
Have a family too big to be housed at a single long horizontal table? Consider having your bridal party sit with you instead! This way, families can get an entire table to themselves, and you won’t need to worry about seating management at the VIP table.
If you’re not keen on having anyone seated with you or if there are space constraints, choose a sweetheart table instead. Though not a common arrangement, the sweetheart table is accommodated by the couple only, and they will sit facing all the guests.
Long Vertical Tables
How about eliminating VIP tables for smaller and/or celebrations in a more rectangular venue?
Or, if you consider all who are in attendance at your wedding to be your VIPs and wish to eliminate the idea of setting aside “head tables” or “important tables” for a select few, then choose to sit with your guests instead!
This sort of arrangement is typically made up of three long tables. In this case, you may start to wonder where the couple sit. There are two spots a couple can zoom in on depending on their priority –
For couples who wish to be surrounded by their guests, they can sit right in the middle of the centre table. This way, they see their guests no matter which way they turn!
For couples who have plenty of reception programs and speeches planned, they may want to sit right at the front of the middle table, closer to the stage area.
Arranging seats can be a pain sometimes, but we hope this gives you a better idea of who sits where. If you have any questions or unique scenarios that aren’t addressed with the above, send in a comment below. The Wed Mag Team and our community could probably help!
Hi The Wed Meg,
The VIP table is a long table for 20 pax. It’s usually reserved for the immediate family and close relatives, that is noted. Where do you put the groom’s sister’s boyfriend? Can he be seated at the VIP table too? Kindly give your advice/comment. Thank you.
Hello Margaret!
We think the groom’s sister’s boyfriend can be seated at the VIP table too provided that (1) there are enough seats after considering the immediate family members and close relatives, (2) the bride and groom’s immediate families are comfortable with the arrangement, and (3) the boyfriend himself is also comfortable with the arrangement. We often neglect to check with the subject him/herself on what their preferences are and we find that communication will always help to resolve a tricky situation. We hope this is helpful!