Did you know that in a recent online poll, 95% of people surveyed said that as a wedding guest they’d prefer to have a wedding seating plan? If you’re thinking about putting together a seating plan at a wedding, then don’t assume that it’s as easy as it first appears.

You might confidently launch into placing your closest family near the top table, with your neighbour’s dog’s vet’s ex-girlfriend’s third cousin twice removed sitting towards the back of the room. But there’s a lot more to it than this! If you don’t want a quiet riot taking place during the speeches, then think about a few more points.

To start with, you probably need to think about children, the elderly and singles.

Placing elderly relatives right at the most awkward to access tables near the front isn’t good, but then neither is seating them near the door where they may be either near the speakers, and deafened, or too far from people to hear the speeches.

When it comes to children, don’t place these on tables with people who hate children! In fact, best not to place children on tables at all – chairs are much better (and those chairs with straps, belts and chains better still!) Think about a child friendly group of tables where children are kept close to people who can look after them, but not where they’re too much of a distraction.

It’s always tempting to let romance get the better of you and start playing Cupid, but please avoid creating a tables for the singles. They won’t thank you for it!

For more advice on avoiding riots at your wedding, visit http://www.toptableplanner.com