Seating Disagreements

I would start by placing older guests toward the back and away from the speakers. They usually find the dance music too loud and would prefer to hear each other's conversation. In the tables closest to the dance floor I would put people who you don't mind if they are in every photograph from speeches, grand entrance, first dance, etc. Honestly people probably won't complain to you on your wedding day about where they are seated, it is just for dinner and then they should be dancing or mingling.

Really, I don't think this is that big of an issue. Most guests only sit at their assigned tables for dinner, then get up to dance, mingle with other guests, make the rounds, so to speak.

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Thank you so much! You're thoughts put me at ease. I tend to overthink things too much & end up micromanaging, which I'll then worry about irritating people with.

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Thank you for your input. I'm sure I'm overthinking these things!

I have giant columns to deal with and about 6 to 8 tables that may end up kind of blocked from the view behind them. My intention is to seat people at those tables who should be up dancing and mingling instead of sitting at a table 🕺💃🏻.

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Good idea! I wish they would think things through before placing tables like that though!

View Quoted Comment It's just the unfortunate setup of the venue's ballroom. We are making sure our VIP tables (4) have perfect view.

I am using the method that immediate family and bridal party should be closest to the dance floor. Extended family is the next level then just friends/FH's military buds the level after that. I feel like friends should generally understand they aren't going to be up front and center above family, and if I was family and all the way in the back I probably would be annoyed, so keep that in mind!

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Good points. The problem is I have such a large family, it would be impossible to seat them all close to the front.

I think the older people want to be further from the band and not next to the dance floor.

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Good point! I think a lot of the elderly guests will want to sit close to the front too so they can see the head table better.

Yeah this is not a big deal, i wouldn't worry about it. My first couple rows from the front were immediate family, then family friends, then our friends toward the back (and close to the bar). As long as your bridal party and immediate family (parents, gparents, etc) are close to you, i'm sure it will be fine.

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Thanks. I figure people can put up with each other for an hour while they eat. Then everyone should be up dancing anyway!