Photo: Alston Mayger Events via SweetLife Photography
Start early. "Begin working on your seating chart well in advance. This allows you to accommodate special requests, arrange family members strategically, and make any necessary adjustments without feeling rushed." —Anastasia Shevchenko, Sheff Production Photography & Videography
Think outside the box. "Ceremony seating can be an immersive way to involve your guests in the milestone moment of the day. Consider your ceremony venue or space and think outside of the box. Guest seating can be arranged in a semi-circle or full circle to create an immersive experience for your guests. From any angle, guests will have a clear view of you and your betrothed and no one will be stuck in the back." —Mandy Connor, Owner, Hummingbird Events & Design
Photo: Alex Gordias Photography via Hummingbird Events & Design
Make sure to provide seating for guests with mobility issues. "The first row or ends of other rows can also be great options for assigning seats to anyone who may have mobility issues. There's typically no need to assign seats outside of the first 1-3 rows. Weddings are a time to bring two families and sets of friends together as one, so modern couples choose to let guests mingle and fill both sides evenly." —Emily Coyne, Emily Coyne Events
Add a personal element. "Add a personal touch with a ceremony seating chart. Let your ushers place guests in exact seats, and ensure your closest family and friends get the seat you want them to have." —Caleb Blackerby, Lead Planner, First Class Designs + CEO, Fitzgerald Hospitality Group
Consider the weather. "One tip I always give my brides and grooms is to figure out where the sun will be hitting during ceremony and angle your seats so no one is looking into the glaring light. If you have over a year until your wedding, that is the perfect time to check out the sun set. The sun will change based on time of day, time of year, and weather, so it's important to check as close to the date as possible and again the week or so before the wedding day in case anything at the venue has changed (new buildings, trees grew, etc.). If you can't change your ceremony set up, you may want to help your guests accommodate by providing sunglasses, umbrellas or altering the chair pattern." —Melanie Levin, Owner, LuckEleven Events
Photo: Foolishly Rushing In via LuckEleven Events
Organize a loose seating chart. "While not entirely necessary, some couples are choosing to have a loose seating chart for their ceremony as well as their reception. If you have a small guest count or unique ceremony chair arrangement, then a ceremony seating chart would work really well! The first two rows are generally reserved for immediate family or your wedding party, if they aren't standing up. Be sure to keep in mind any guests who need the end of a row for physical disabilities. For a larger guest count, I suggest only reserving a few seats for immediate family, VIPs, or your wedding party (if they aren't standing during the ceremony). Use name tags directly on the chair or 'reserved' signs across the needed rows would be enough to indicate to the other guests they're seated elsewhere. Sometimes this is great if you have difficult family dynamics and want to keep the peace. Just use name cards on the chairs and it helps eliminate any confusion or questions being asked on where to sit." —Kari Smith - CEO + Lead Planner, Feathered Arrow Studio
Overset your seating. "When planning out your ceremony layout and capacity, ensure you overset slightly. Guests will often leave space in between couples or groups of friends/family, so to account for those open single seats, it helps to have some extra!" —Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning
Creating a structured seating plan based on guest prioritization (family, bridal party, etc.). "Your seating demonstrates thoughtful planning. Always prioritize the first row for the couples' parents, fostering a sense of honor. Assign the second row to extended family members, promoting a close-knit atmosphere. The third row is an ideal spot for any guests of honor or close friends, ensuring their importance is acknowledged. This structured approach ensures a well-balanced and meaningful ceremony seating arrangement." —Weddings by Susan Dunne
Consider fun trends. "There are some really fun and unique new trends for ceremony seating that will really give an impact! Consider runway seating, where guests are seated on either side of an aisle facing the aisle, so all eyes can be directly on your wedding party and you as you walk to the altar. Or perhaps consider giving everyone a front-row seat by setting your ceremony chairs in a circle around the altar for a unique approach.” —Alexandra Denniston, Owner & Lead Planner, Eventlightenment Planning
Photo: 440 Elm
Create groups seated in specific blocks. "It's much easier to start out with a VIP block of 16 each reserved for each of the couple's family and VIPs vs doing this on a person by person basis." —Vijay Goel, COO, 440 Elm
Don’t forget about seating for flower girls and ring bearers. "It's simplest if flower girls and ring bearers are seated at the end of the first row, or the end of the second row. We highly recommend keeping one parent figure with them at the start of the processional and one parent figure waiting for them in the front of the aisle at an assigned seat." —Emily Coyne, Emily Coyne Events
Add labels or name cards on seats. "Don't skip printing small labels to assign seats in the first row (and second or third if needed). Just putting 'reserved' doesn't work, as guests won't know if these seats are intended for them or someone else. It's best to avoid confusion completely using small labels with their name. Be sure to have anyone processing during the ceremony rehearsal practice sitting in their assigned seats, so there are no surprises on wedding day." —Emily Coyne, Emily Coyne Events
Photo: Dear Lovers Photography via Feathered Arrow Studio
Consider family dynamics. "Think carefully about family dynamics so that your planner can direct each set of family members walking in the processional to specific seats once they reach the end of the aisle. Divorced parents may sit with their partner(s), with each other if they have a friendly relationship, and in the same or adjacent rows. This plan really helps prevent any drama or uncomfortable discussions if this is laid out ahead of time and directed in an organized manner at the ceremony rehearsal." —Valarie Kirkbride, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design
Reserve seats for the wedding party. "Typically, we see the first row reserved for parents (seated closest to the aisle), grandparents, and then an extended family member. If you're opting for your wedding party to be seated during the ceremony, you'll need to reserve the second and (sometimes) third row for them and their significant others. While there is no perfect ceremony seating chart, there is an arrangement out there that's perfect for you and your family. Be sure your wedding party is informed ahead of time whether or not they're walking down the aisle as part of the processional, and ensure that they are informed ahead of time that they have an assigned seat once they reach the end of the aisle." —Ashley Lachney, Owner, Alston Mayger Events
Keep your décor in mind when deciding what type of seating to use and how to go about it. "Think about the décor in relation to how guests will enter the rows. Will the center aisle be marked off? Enlist your groomsmen or close family friends to help direct guests where to sit and how to get into their rows. If chairs are set up for guests rather than pews, make sure everyone is reminded to fill in every chair and don't leave open seats so there is enough room for everyone to sit comfortably." —Valarie Kirkbride, Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design
Photo: Katrina Jayne via Emily Coyne Events
Remember to have flexibility. "This is so important to ensuring you aren't overly stressed! Be prepared for last-minute changes and have a backup plan." —Misty Damico, CEO & Founder, Luxe Event Productions
Communicate clearly. "Clearly communicate the seating plan to your guests. Whether through a wedding website or on display at the entrance, providing a clear guide will eliminate any confusion." —Anastasia Shevchenko, Sheff Production Photography & Videography
