Reader Question: Seating Arrangements
I recently received a question from a bride regarding their seating chart. She was concerned that her parents should not be at the same table as the grooms parents. A family member of the groom said it was improper to have them together and that they should each have their own tables. At my own wedding, we had passed appetizers and a formal buffet style dinner, but it was open seating and was a bit more of a casual setting. So while I do not personally have experience with seating charts, I have been to numerous weddings. And for each one that I have been to or been in, both sets of parents always sat together. IMHO, you are joining families so it seems to me that they most certainly should and would sit together. Emily Post says, traditionally the brides family sits separate from the grooms family and she also goes on to say that divorced parents should never be seated together. Claudia Lutman of Luxurious Wedding Ettiquette had this to say about seating arrangements. I personally feel your wedding day is YOUR wedding day and you should do what makes you and your fiance happy. What better time, than at one of the happiest days in both of your lives to join the families together??? Ladies (& Gents), what did you do???
Tags: Luxurious Wedding Ettiquette, Seating Charts, Wedding Ettiquette
January 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am
When my husband and I got married, we sat at a table that only had our parents. The bridal party was taking up two tables anyway, and we really wanted to share our first meal as a couple with the people that helped make the day happen.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I think that finding out what the experts say is wonderful. However, today’s weddings are usually not ruled by the etiquette rules. It so much wiser to take into consideration what will make your wedding the best wedding it can be. After all, isn’t that the reason there is such a thing as ettiquette rules. So I would advise the bride to check with the parents and see how they feel about it since they are the ones most affected and I’m sure she wants it to be memorable for them also.
January 9th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
We were married at a restaurant, and there were five booths to one side, on a platform, so my parents sat at one with my grandparents, my mother-in-law sat at the next with her sister and daughter, and our wedding party sat at the next two, with my siblings-in-law at the last table. Every wedding I have been to (including the ones we photograph on a regular basis), the parents have sat separately, usually with other members of their family. That was even in the case at my sister-in-law’s wedding where my mother-in-law is very close with the groom’s family. While the wedding is a blending of two families, I think it is also a time for the parents to celebrate with their own families (siblings, parents, etc.). That is what my parents wanted, at least. I think it is a nice idea to sit with both sets of parents, too, but you may have more fun on your own or with your wedding party.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Wow. What a picture! That room is GORGEOUS!!!