Wedding seating guide
Who Sits at the Head Table at a Wedding?
The couple can sit with their wedding party, with close family, or alone at a sweetheart table. There is no single arrangement that suits every family or tradition. Choose the people you want beside you during dinner, decide how their partners will be included, then check the table capacity before promising seats.
1. A head table with the wedding party
This keeps close friends beside the couple during dinner and speeches. Decide whether partners will sit at the same table; that choice can change a small head table into a long banquet row.
For example, a couple plus four attendants needs six places. If each attendant brings a partner to the head table, the count becomes ten. If partners sit elsewhere, place them with people they know rather than leaving them alone.
2. A table with parents or close family
A family table can work when everyone would enjoy eating together and there is enough room. Count current partners and stepparents before deciding who fits; do not assume every family has the same set of roles.
If fitting everyone creates uncomfortable exclusions, use separate family tables and visit them during dinner. A decision about the couple’s seats does not have to rank the importance of their relatives.
3. A sweetheart table for two
A table for just the couple gives friends and family flexibility to sit with their own partners and familiar groups. Position it where guests can see you without blocking service or an accessible route.
Check the arrangement with your photographer and venue. An attractive spot on a drawing may put you in front of a service door or make it difficult to reach guests between courses.
A seating layout to try
This compact wedding-party example has a four-seat head table for Alex, Sam, Maya and Leo, with two four-seat guest tables below it. The two rules keep Alex with Sam and Maya with Leo. The named head table and exact seats are set manually; a together rule does not reserve a particular table.
- Head table: Alex, Sam, Maya, Leo
- Maple: Mum, Jo, Rose, Kim
- Willow: Dad, Pat, Robin, Lee
The two rules in this example
- Alex + Sam → Together (same table)
- Maya + Leo → Together (same table)
Together means the same table, not “the head table” or neighboring chairs. Keep the illustrated seats manually, or lock the selected guests in their seats before auto-arranging the remaining guests.
Optional extra: Alex + Maya → Together would link both pairs into one group of four. It is an optional third rule, not part of this free example.
Free plans support two Together/Apart relationship rules in total. You can edit or remove either rule. Creating a third rule requires a paid Event Pass, which allows unlimited rules for that event. See pricing and pass details.
Before you send the final plan
- Count the couple, attendants and any included partners.
- Agree family seating separately from the couple’s table.
- Check sightlines, service access and the final seat count with the venue.