Reception seating arrangements can vary, depending on the type and formality of the reception or the layout of the location. It is always best to select a head or centrally located table for the bride's table. After all, it's you they came to see, you should be the center of activity. For a buffet with open seating, be sure to reserve this table; you would not want to embarrass anyone who happened to sit there unknowingly.

The bridal table may include only the parents with the bride and groom, or you may want only the attendants, with or without spouses or dates. A third alternative would be to combine the first two. This decision may depend on several things: the size of the bridal party, the amount of space, the size of the table, and whether the parents are divorced.

Usually, very formal luncheon or dinner receptions require a seating plan designated by a seating chart or place cards. For formal or semi-formal receptions, place cards are optional, and informal receptions, in most cases, have open seating or standing, depending on the type of reception.

Young children should always be seated with parents. Use your discretion when it comes to teenagers; seat them with parents or place them at a table together.

The guests' seating arrangements are up to you. However, you may request the help of your mother and the groom's mother when it comes to assigned seating, especially if many of the guests are their friends who you are only slightly acquainted with. You want to seat people so they are comfortable and encouraged to mingle with their neighbors. The other alternative is to let them choose their own seats.
 

Guest Seating Tips:

1. Seat people with similar interests together.
2. Try to seat people at a table where they know at least one person.
3. Similar aged people often find they have things in common.
4. Put long lost family members or distant relations together at a table since they don't get to see each other that often.
5. If the bride or groom's parents are divorced, consider allowing them to host their own table or handpick special guests and family members to sit with them.
6. Try alternating the sex of your seated guests to stir things up a bit.
7. Do try to keep an even number of guests at each table so no one ends up feeling like a fifth (or seventh, or eleventh) wheel.
8. Place the guests that you know love to dance near the dance floor so they'll be sure to get things moving early on.