Which side should we sit on? Or should we have sides? It’s a dilemma that most couples find themselves in when planning their ceremonies.
‘Should we have a Bride’s side and a Groom’s side?; ‘But there will be more people on one side than the other’; ‘Shall we put name cards on the seats to reserve certain rows or seats for our Bridal Party and the key family members?’ These are all common questions, and if you’re asking yourselves these questions now then that’s good, as when it comes to the day at least you will have answered them.
Really the choice is yours.
Some people choose to have distinct sides for the Brides’ family and friends and the Grooms. Other people, believe that it doesn’t matter, and that as you are joining as one family on this day, then you can all sit together. Some of the signs below are great examples of something you could use at your wedding (inspiration taken from various sources – photographers unknown).
What I would say is…if you would rather certain people were at the front, that you reserve some seats for them. A simple reserved sign will suffice, but make sure that the Ushers or someone within your Bridal Party know who these seats have been reserved for. Make sure someone takes responsibility for ensuring that who you deem to be extra important are able to see you. Entrust that one person with your careful notes of who you would like to sit where. Try not to overcomplicate things though as you do not want to create havoc on the day.
Also ensure that someone takes responsibility for making sure that you have sufficient seats for anyone who is in the Bridal Party or with the Bride. There’s nothing worse than the Bridal Party arriving into the room and then having to find seats or ask people to change rows so that they can all squeeze in.
So to summarise:
1) Decide whether you would like sides at the ceremony or whether everyone will sit together.
2) Decide who should sit at the front and if you are going to reserve seats.
3) Ensure you have worked out the correct amount of seats you need reserving and entrust someone to ensure this happens.
and…
4) Make sure someone tells your guests about seating arrangements as they enter the room, or position a sign so that people can read it. Otherwise guests tend to hover not knowing where they should be positioned.
5) If you have a big room but a small number of guests, ask someone to make sure that your guests do not sit right at the back of the room. Your guests may not know how many people you have invited, and might sit at the back out of politeness.
I hope this helps..