How to layout tables for a wedding?

First, decide on the focal point. Many couples have a top table for the couple and their families, or a sweetheart table just for the two of you. Place this where it is visible to most guests, usually facing the room. Then arrange the guest tables around it, leaving clear sightlines to the dance floor and any speeches.

Think about the flow of the room. Guests need to reach their seats, the buffet, the bar and the toilets without squeezing past chairs. Leave at least 4 feet between tables, and more if you have wheelchair users or prams. Avoid placing tables right next to the kitchen door or the main entrance, as that creates bottlenecks.

Consider the shape of the room. For a long narrow room, rows of round tables work well. For a square room, a chequerboard pattern can feel balanced. For a marquee, you might use long banquet tables in parallel lines. Always ask your venue for a floor plan and mark the positions of doors, pillars, the bar and the DJ.

Finally, think about who sits where. Seat older guests away from the speakers and near the toilets. Seat families with young children near an exit. Keep friends who know each other together, and mix groups where you want conversation. A good layout makes the whole day feel relaxed.