Figuring out where to seat the guests at your wedding is not a small task and can be a source of a lot of anxiety, but I'm here to offer some helpful tips on how to map out your reception seating. Regardless of the kind of dinner you have — sit down, buffet, or station — you have to provide your guests with a place to sit and enjoy their meal and good company. To see my tips, click here to

• Don't start this project until you have received all your RSVP cards. It'd be a real shame to have every table perfected before you know who is really coming.
• Know before starting the seating chart that it could take a few tries, so try not to get too flustered!
• Since there will be guests at your wedding that you don't know very well (parents, friends, or new inlaws) you'll need to ask for help from relatives when it comes to finding a place for them to sit.
• Be sure that every person has a place card. Even if you pick out who you want at what table, it's best to assign them a proper seat as well.
• Regardless of the shape of your table, I always recommend sitting boy/girl. It looks clean and can aid in good chit chat. One thing to remember is that a rectangular table is best for conversation, space, and viewing the bride and groom and the dancefloor.
• There is usually a head table at every wedding. This typically consists of wedding party and their guests only, but some couples opt to include their parents as well. While there are no strict rules, space is always something to consider.
• You should seat other family and close friends near the head table so they don't feel left out.
• People disagree on whether or not you should sit couples and close friends together. I happen to feel that you should never split up couples — you want your guests to have fun and to feel comfortable, so why separate them from their loved ones?
• Since there will presumably be single people attending your wedding, it's always fun to have a few singles tables. This is your time to play matchmaker so seat "like people" together.
• If you choose not to have a sit down dinner, or if the meal isn't a big part of your reception, you should still make sure there are plenty of tables and chairs for people to sit down, but in this circumstance, place cards aren't necessary.
• It's inevitable that some people won't show, and even though it's in poor form, sometimes guests bring uninvited dates so always prepare for the unexpected. Make sure you have a few extra chairs and place cards on hand.
• Know that your guests will be moving around throughout the night, but don't think this is because you haven't done a good job with the seating assignments. They're probably just being social, which is a good thing!

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