must know wedding table etiquettes

                            

The number of guests dictates the number of tables required for a wedding reception. However, arranging those guests remains a fine art, rather than an exercise in mathematics. To get started, request a suggested table diagram from the reception hall staff. The configuration of the head table may be determined early, but the process only truly begins once guests confirm their attendance.

1. Head Table

   • The wedding party sits at the head table.

     Traditionally, a head table features the bride, groom and wedding party. While not conducive to conversation, the head table allows the entire room to see the couple and attendants. This arrangement works best with medium to large wedding parties. For large wedding parties, "It's perfectly fine to divide your attendants between two or three tables," according to Martha Stewart Weddings. With this arrangement, include the bridal party's guests.

   Table for Two

   • A "table for two" gives the couple one-on-one time.

     An intimate "table for two" affords the happy couple some one-on-one time and a well-deserved break. However, a wedding serves not only as a celebration of the newlyweds, but also as a family reunion. Guests may feel slighted, especially at small weddings. In absence of a head table, and if the couple does not want to play favorites by sitting with a friend or relative, leave empty chairs at several tables for the bride and groom to rotate to throughout the evening.

   Parents

   • Seat the bride and the groom's parents at separate tables. Seat other guests of honor, such as grandparents and godparents, with them. Do not sit divorced parents at the same table. "Even if relations between the divorced parents are amicable," suggests Peggy Post in Emily's Posts Wedding Etiquette, "the extended family and friends of each make it difficult logistically to seat them all at one table." This particularly applies to remarriages.

   Guests

   • Seat children with their parents.

     Children traditionally sit with their parents, while teens may appreciate sitting at a table of their peers. Refrain from seating a newcomer with a table full of close friends who might omit them from the conversation. Seat them with other newcomers, or with conversationalists. Do not assume you must place guests with disabilities near an exit. Cater to their preference, but not to the seating requests of all guests. Placement near the dance floor, head table or cake cutting table puts them in view of the action without necessitating travel.

   Place Cards

   • Place cards inform guests of the seating arrangements.

     For informal affairs, only the bridal party and parents require an assigned table. For formal receptions, set the place cards at the place settings or number the tables. In the latter case, guests pick up their name card when they arrive. To discourage guests from rearranging the tables, post a seating chart. Judith Martin suggests,"The hosts' social function, if the seating arrangement does not succeed, is limited to picking up the strays and finding them companionship."

Read more: Wedding Table Etiquette | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_6669691_wedding-table-etiquette.html#ixzz1QPDzai1f