Wedding Floor Plan Basics!
Before planning your wedding floor plan or layout, keep in mind that tables can accommodate different numbers of guests. For instance, an 8-foot rectangular table can seat 8 to 10 people, depending on the setup. The width of the chairs greatly affects how you plan the seating around the table. A 60-inch round table usually fits 6 to 10 people, while a 72-inch round table typically fits 8 to 12 people. Most venues have a few 72-inch round tables available (or they're easy and inexpensive to rent).
I highly recommend planning for the average number of guests at each table, and then making adjustments once you have your RSVPs back!
If you plan to seat guests closely together, consider the shape and size of the guests you're assigning to each table.
MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS:
1- The width of your chairs. The average reception chairs are 15.75" (Chiavari/ballroom) - 17.5" (folding) in width. This will be more important with rectangular tables vs rounds.
2 - Family Style food service needs SUBSTANTAILLY more space at the table for platters, etc. Be sure to plan for wider tables if you intend to have this style of service! (36-inch or wider rectangular tables)
3 - All tables must be at least 5.5' apart. This allows enough space for chairs and for service staff and guests to move freely with chairs pulled out (guests seated in them).
4 - Rounds have more flexibility than rectangular tables - a 60” round can typically sit 6-10 guests, 72” round 8-12 guests comfortably while an 8’ rectangular banquet table can fit 6-8.
5 - Tables against a wall or another table without chairs need a minimum of 4’ between the table edge and the wall/empty adjacent table for service staff and guests to get in and out comfortably.
This layout shows seating for 184 guests, but with some tweaking, it could go up to 236 (with the right table and chair adjustments - all the rectangular tables could go up to 10ppl per table and the rounds up to 12). ~ Each small square = 1’
