What is a wedding ceremony seating plan?

In England and Wales, many couples hold their ceremony in a register office, an approved venue, or a registered place of worship. The seating plan for that moment is usually simple, with a few reserved rows at the front for parents and grandparents. The rest of the room is often free seating, so guests find their own spot.

If your venue has fixed seating, ask the manager how the chairs are set out. For a church, you may need to book pew allocations in advance, and the place of worship will tell you how that works. Some couples prefer an open arrangement so guests can choose where to sit. Either way, think about people who might need extra space or a quiet spot.

Your ceremony seating plan is separate from your meal seating plan. You can keep the first one simple and save the detailed table plan for the reception.