When it comes to your wedding reception you may feel the need to design a seating plan so that you assign your guests a particular table with other guests that they will feel comfortable with. However, in some cases a seating plan may not be necessary. When it comes to this part of your wedding planning, read these tips first to make sure you organize your seating to perfection!

Do I need a Seating Plan?

If your wedding reception is small & informal then a seating plan may not be necessary. However, if you are having a large number of guests & a formal sit down dinner then it is a good idea to draw up a seating plan so that you guests can find a table quickly & efficiently. Many of your guests will want to sit with family & friends so a seating plan will prevent a mad rush of guests all trying to sit together at the same tables! Having a seating plan that places people who will get along together will help to create the happy atmosphere that you want for your wedding meal & will make a difference to your guest’s enjoyment of the day.

Within your wedding planning you will find a number of options available for your seating plan. These range from:

No plan at all – best for standing buffets or small & informal events. Assign guests to tables – you allocate guests to tables but the choice of seat is theirs. Assign guests to seats – you specify the seats at which each guest will sit.

When it comes to deciding on a seating plan, bear in mind that you should do what you think will make your guests most comfortable.

The Top Table Dilemma

The traditional top table is a long table on which sits the bride & groom in the center & the rest of the wedding party beside them. Whilst this is still the favored choice, there are other alternatives being used as family structures become more complicated.

Traditionally the top table would look something like this:

Chief Bridesmaid–G.Father–B.Mother-Groom-Bride-B.Father-G.Mother-Best Man

Alternatives are used where parents are divorced & maybe remarried or have a new partner. Another popular choice is to do away with the top table altogether & just have a table for the two of you.

Top Tips for Other Tables

1. Seating families or close friends all on one table may not do much to encourage mingling between guests, although these guests will be relaxed. Sitting people who don’t know each other may be daunting for those concerned & again may not do much for the atmosphere. The best advice is to mix the tables up so that there is a combination of new & old friends. Consider your guests ages & interests also & try to seat like for like together, they are more likely to get on & have fun that way.

2. Singles can be a dilemma, especially if a large number of your guests are couples. It can be tempting to try a little matchmaking but this could back fire, making both parties & you uncomfortable & embarrassed. Avoid a singles table & try to place them on tables with other likeminded guests whom you think they will get along with.

3. Etiquette rules apply depending on the shape of the tables you are using. For round tables sit male & female guests alternately. If you are using long tables sit couples opposite one another & alternate male/female along the table.

4. Reserve the tables closest to yourselves for close friends & family.

5. Make sure each table has a name or number to identify it. You could theme them according to things relevant to you both, for instance name after your favorite places you have visited together, or your favorite films. Your venue may make these cards for you, but make sure they are shown on your seating plan.

6. If you want to assign a specific seat to each guest then you will need to write out name cards which you can then place at each setting. Aside from the traditional name card, you can use menus or wedding favors for the same purpose.

Creating your Seating Plan

Start putting together your seating early in your wedding planning. You can start even before you have had back all of your RSVP’s as you will know already who is definitely coming.

When you start ask your venue for a plan of how the tables will be arranged on the day & decide on which shape of table you will use. You will also need to know how many guests you can seat at each one.

Putting together your plan can take some time & may involve many revisions to get it right. A good tip is to write each guests name down on separate pieces of paper & do the same for each table. You can then arrange the tables out & assign guests to each one. Experiment by moving them around until you find the right layout for you. In recent years there have been numerous software programs developed to help with organizing your seating plan which can save you time & a great deal of stress as well!

Islamic marriage is governed by the law. Religious law to be precise. In Islam, everythinhg that revolves around you will have religious implications and thisis no exception to marriage. The prophet of Islam gave his ‘sunnah’ to his followers to respect and value marriage. In other words, he recommended all singles to marry so that they can fulfill all that partains to marriage. In Islam, celibacy is not recommended. Allah commands all unmarried singles to marry. Marriage is therefore designed in a devine way and, it is a contract between the couple. For an Islamic marriage to be recognized, the following requirements need to be met accurately. First, there must be a proposal for marriage which is clear. This is mainly done by men. The other thing is that, there must be an acceptance of that proposal. A girl has the right to accept or decline marriage. Two witnesses who are competent are necessary. This will ensure that that couples fulfills all the requirements of marriage in Islam. Marriage is a communal affair and, should be widely publicized. This is to announce to everybody that there is a significant union taking place. The bridegroom must have a little gift for the bride. This shows joy and appreciation for their presence in his life. It is meant to make the girl feel special in the auspicious ocassion. This marriage gift is commonly known as dowry. It serves many purposes including showing the capability to fulfil his ecomnomic requiremments for his new family. Since Muslim girls are usually covered, the prophet allows the man to see the women he intends to marry. This is necessary to establish that connection. A man in Islam is allowed to have up to 4 wives. It is not an obligation but a provision. Since marriage and religion are so close together, girls have been prepared to serve the role of wife, through the holy teachings. However, a prospective husband should not be alone with a woman who is not her wife. A lot of emphasis is placed on this and, it is vital to know the fundamentals of an Islamic marriage if you want everything to go well. Marriage to the following people in Islam has been prohibited. A father’s wife, a mother, daughter, a niece, a nephew and others. This is meant to streghthen relationships and ensure there is respect for Allah and the people. In Islam, it is perfectly alright to marry women from other religons who are chaste. They include Jews and Christians. However, a muslim woman will not be allowed to marry a non Muslim man. When a Muslim man wants to marry more than one wife, there are many restrictions. They must be in a position to sustain a large family, the other wives must consent and other things. For this reason, many men in Islam choose to have one wife. Islamic marriage has been viewed to be simple and practical. The rational laws have ensured strong bonds in muslim marital relations throughout the ages.