How do I get around awkward clashes when seating guests?
I'm planning seating for my reception, but a few of my guests can't be seated together. We have 12 seats per (long) table - is it acceptable to seat these guests at the same table, far apart? I don't like catering for their disagreements, but I don't want a fight -even a small one - at my wedding.
Erin G
Question Asked: 17/11/2016
Wedding Date: 11/02/2017
Wedding Location: Latrobe, TAS 7307
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Answered by: 6 Experts
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(17) · Melbourne, Greater Melbourne, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula
Posted: 16/02/2017
Hi Erin this is an awkward situation but certainly you are not alone. Many couples have this problem. Either seat them at different tables or at extreme ends of each long table.
A sensitive issue. If you have guest who "don't get on" they probably don't want to sit hear each other anyway! Be easy on yourself, this is not really your problem. However, on saying this I would suggest you place them away from each other . If you can, place them at different tables - if not one end to the other.
Good luck with this - if a disagreement does break out - have a stand by person (your MC?) to politely ask them to take there disagreement outside or save it for another day and respect the Bride and Groom.
Regards, Jan
(7) · Hunter Vineyards | Port Stephens | Newcastle | Lake Macquarie | Central Coast, Sydney & Elsewhere by
Posted: 28/11/2016
Hardly a day passes that I don't hear of similar issues. If some of your guests have issues with each other, sometimes you have to separate them. Don't be frightened to do so. That you have to is actually an insult to you that they can't set aside their personal issues for your event. One bride sat her parents on opposite sides of the reception, with her brothers at inside tables in case they had to run interference. It is best to do this hard work before the event if it means peace during the event.
(12) · Wollongong, South Coast (as far as Nowra), Southern Highlands and Sydney
Posted: 28/11/2016
(3) · Lismore | Byron Bay | Far North Coast | Tweed Heads | Gold Coast
Posted: 17/11/2016
Hi there, Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.
Have a sign " Take a seat not a side we are all family once the knot has been tied" and let them seat themselves, it will work its self out. One less stress for you.
Best Wishes
Susan
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Hi Erin,
Me again :) This is a really tough and common dilemma! I can't say I have a definitive solution but just thinking completely outside the box. What if at the time people arrive they had to draw a card from a bag/bowl/box.... which had a corresponding table and or seat number and that was their allocation. They could perhaps do this as couples? This would really mix things up and would entirely take the problem out of your hands as they would have no one to blame but fate if they don't like the person sitting next to them :)
Cheers,
Mark