Tips For Easily Creating Your Seating Arrangements

I've discussed why a seating arrangement is so important in a previous blog. But making a seating arrangement and chart for your wedding reception can be difficult. How do you meet everyone's wishes, while keeping your sanity??? Here are several tips that can make your task of creating your wedding seating arrangements easier!

1) Make or get a drawn out lay-out of the reception space with the tables where they will be on the wedding night. Many venues can provide this for you.

2) Make a list of all the guests who will be at your wedding. This way you can mark each guest once they are assigned a seat. Use pencil so you can un-mark any guests if you need to make rearrangements!

3) Number each table so that you will be able to stay organized. Make a seperate sheet of paper where you list the tables and can write down the names of guests at each table.

4) First assign all seats at the head table, or bridal party table.

5) Next, start by seating those with special needs. Elderly guests will appreciate be seated away from the DJ, close to facilities, and away from children. Disabled guests should be seated near ramps, exit points, and disability-friendly restrooms.

6) Close family should be kept near the head table.

7) If you are having kids at your reception, consider having a kids' table. Keep this table near the dance floor so that kids can burn off energy.

8) A mix of singles and couples will help make sure no one feels like they are being singled out.

9) When using long tables, couples should be seated across from each other, and alternate male and female on each side of the table. For round tables, couples should be seated next to each other.

10) Make sure all your guests are seated by someone they know and are comforatable with.

11) If possible, group people together based on common interests.

12) Once you have finished deciding where all guests will be seated, make a chart of all the guests in alphabetical order according to their last names. Next to each name, list the table number where they will be sitting. Have this printed on a large board so guests can easily and quickly find their name and table number.

13) For your vendors, make a list according to table numbers so they can easily figure out where to put the place cards.

Of course, making a seating arrangement is time-consuming and can be frustrating. But after all the work, you can relax knowing that all your guests will be comfortable and will truly be able to appreciate the beauty of your wedding!

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Bridal Trend Alert: Fascinators!

The latest trend in bridal accessories takes a cue from the new princess-to-be Kate Middleton: fascinators! These headpieces allow brides a new way to personalize their wedding-day look.

Here is Kate wearing a few beautiful non-bridal fascinators:

And Kate isn't the only celebrity using fascinators to make a statement.

Of course Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica-Parker has this trend in her fashion repertoire.

Eva Mendes looks glamorous with a black feather fascinator.

Here are some of my favorite bridal fascinators:

These last two are from Till Death Designs by Tiffany:

If you want to incorporate fascinators into your wedding day look, check out the many pieces from local designer Till Death Designs by Tiffany. You will even find pieces appropraite for your bridesmaids! And all her beautiful pieces are affordable!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tilldeathdesigns

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Reception Seating

Are you hesitating to use assigned seating at your wedding reception? No one enjoys creating a seating chart, but it is well worth the effort.

According to advice given in the April 2011 edition of Brides magazine (pg. 196) "You won't regret making a seating plan. It's an easy way to avoid the awkwardness of looking up from your first table to see a table of strangers trying gamely to make conversation...and failing. ... Bear in mind, too, that people will probably feel comfortable getting up and mingling after the meal without any prodding from you."

I spoke to an usher who was in charge of seating guests a wedding reception just last year. He said, "It was such a pain. I didn't get to enjoy myself at all during the entire reception." Do you really want to make your guy friends or family miss out on the fun of your reception?

One bride stated that she doubted she would get many RSVP's back to even know who is and isn't coming to her wedding. The people you invite to your wedding are friends and family. There should be no problem calling anyone who did not send back their reply card by the requested date.

Plus, once you have all replies counted, you can give your caterer an accurate head count and possibly save yourself money on meals that won't be needed.

Embrace the seating arrangement. After all, you can create a beautiful seating chart to match your decor and even enhance the look of your wedding.

Happy seat-chart making!!!!

www.powerweddingplanning.com

Music for Your Wedding

The music you play at your wedding and reception should reflect your personality. If you love classical music, then play it! Same goes for any other kind of music you love.

If you love rock, rap, or hip-hop music, but aren't sure if it would bother some of your guests, try a twist on your faves. Have a band do instrumental versions of your must-have songs.

Not having a band? No problem! Vitamin String Quartet does instrumental covers of many songs. Listen to their songs on myspace here: http://www.myspace.com/search/Music?q=Vitamin%20String%20Quartet

Just one of their many album covers.

How to Save Money on Flower Decor

Looking for ways to incorporate flowers in your wedding without the high expense???

Here are a few ideas to get your creativity flowing:

1) Use flowers from a relative or friend's garden. (ask first, of course)

2) Incorporate greenery to make arrangements look fuller while saving you some of the flower costs.

3) Choose large bloom flowers, so that you don't need as many.

4) If you are looking to decorate your space, try hanging pictures of flowers on the wall. (Note: this is also a great idea to use in your home!)