Creating a seating plan for your wedding breakfast can be a daunting task, but with some tips from your wedding photographer and with a little bit of planning and creativity, you can ensure that your guests have a great time and that all of the important moments of the day are captured on film properly because of it.
There are several different types of table layouts to choose from, and the right one for you will depend on the size of your wedding and the overall style of your event. Some popular options include round tables, long banquet tables, and a mix of both.
Round tables are a classic option for weddings and can seat between 8 and 10 guests comfortably. They are great for creating a more intimate atmosphere and are perfect for smaller weddings. Long banquet tables are a great option for larger weddings and can seat a large number of guests in a more formal setting. Mixing both round and banquet tables can add some variety to the room, and allows for different group sizes.
Round tables are a popular choice for wedding receptions, but when it comes to decorating them, there are a few things to keep in mind. Placing centerpieces in the middle of the table can be a lovely touch, but they can also obstruct the view of guests sitting around the table. This can be especially problematic during speeches or other important moments of the wedding. Additionally, tall centerpieces can also make it difficult for the videographer to capture the perfect shots of the speeches. To avoid these issues, consider opting for lower centerpiece's or placing them off to the side of the table. This will allow guests to see and enjoy the speeches and the videographer to capture the event without obstruction.
Large centerpieces on the top wedding table can obstruct crucial shots of emotional reactions by wedding photographer and videographer. It is important to choose a centerpiece that complements the decor and doesn't hinder important shots. Opt for low and small ones, or place them on side tables to avoid any obstruction.
When it comes to arranging your guests, it can be fun to surprise them by putting together people who wouldn't normally socialise together. This can be a great way to mix things up and create a more dynamic atmosphere. However, it's important to keep in mind that some people may not be comfortable sitting next to certain guests, so be sure to take that into consideration when making your seating arrangements.
Placing children on the top table can be a wonderful way to include them in the celebration and make them feel special. It also makes for precious candid moments and memories to be captured by the photographer and videographer, that they will treasure forever. Showcasing the love and bond between family members can be heartwarming and emotional. However, While having children at the top table can be a sweet and precious addition to the wedding celebration, it is important to consider how it might affect the overall experience for both the children and the other guests. Children can sometimes have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time, and this can make it difficult for others to fully take in the speeches and other important moments. Additionally, children may not understand the significance of the occasion and may become restless or distracted, which can be disruptive for both the other guests and the wedding party. With that said, having children at the top table can be a wonderful way to include them in the celebration, but it is important to be mindful of their energy levels, attention span and also to have a plan in place to keep them engaged and content during the wedding.
One of the most important things to consider when creating your seating plan is ensuring that the people doing toast and speeches are on the top table. The top table should be positioned in a way that all guests can see and hear the speeches easily. This will also make it easier for your photographer and videographer to capture these important moments.
When arranging your tables, it's also important to ensure that the photographer and videographer have enough space around the tables to take photos and film the speeches. This means that you should leave enough room between tables and make sure that the top table is positioned in a way that allows for the best possible angles for capturing the speeches and other important moments.
One technique that I use is to have a good wide shot of the top table from the back. This allows you to capture the reactions of not only the person giving the speech, but also the reactions of the guests and the family sitting at the top table. This wide shot can help to convey the atmosphere and emotion of the moment for the whole room and can be used to add context and depth to the footage. Additionally, including this shot may help to create a more dynamic visual composition and allow for more creative editing choices later on. So always a good idea to ensure that the videographer especially has a good clear view down the middle of the room to get their wide shot. It's a bit different for photographers, they can move about more freely.
So to to sum it up folks…creating a seating plan for your wedding breakfast can be a daunting task, but with a little bit of planning and creativity, you can ensure that your guests have a great time and that all of the important moments of the day are captured on film. Choose the right table layout, mix and match the guests, make sure that the people doing toast and speeches are on the top table if you are having one! and ensure that the photographer and videographer have enough space around the tables to take photos and film the speeches. This will make your wedding day even more special.
