Hi there,

I am not so keen on the classic seating plan - top table with bride and groom, bm and moh next to each allocated person and then the parents - for various reasons. First I think it destroys the community party feeling, I don't want to be separated but more importantly because of the kids - I want our son with us so in any case he'd be sitting with us but also the moh has a little girl and I don't know if she will bring her partner (they are flying in) - if she's alone with her girl then obviously she has to be with her too but even if her partner comes along I don't like the separation of them.

A good alternative I loved are long tables all pushed together like a u-shape but I don't know if the venue will do this. If we hire a marquee they have offered us their garden benches including covers for free - I love this idea but I am worried about the elderly if they can't lean back (and my own back :D). Can't think of anything else...

Still don't know how many guests there will be but at least 60 and a max of 90. We're going to pay our deposit and see the venue again on Saturday - I will ask how they usually put the tables up. I reall don't like the separation between all at weddings!

Im having the same dilema, Im thinking of scrapping the top table all together and sitting bride,groom, MOH & her partner, Best Man and my other bridesmaid as their a couple, all on one table and then sitting the families around us. Our families are all split up as well, dad and mums separated on both sides so causes complications! Seating plan nightmare. The square polo shape is a good idea though, never thought of that one

we're having a round top table with our parents and my son. At one point we were thinking of parents hosting their own table etc my moh will be sitting with bm as they're mother/daughter along with rest of their family unit and my brother and sil. My other bm I'm going to ask if she wants to sit with the other two bms or with a table of friends. She doesn't really know many of them very well so am going to let her and her partner decide before I do the seating plan. Nobody else is getting a choice though lol x

I don't like the idea of separation either, certain people will group together and probably not talk to many other people all night! I've been wondering if circle tables grouped together in a sort of circular C shape will work.

were having a big horse shoe shape (hopefully anyway coz our suite for the meal has changed today and we haven't seen it!) but originally the table plan is set out with a top table and then tables starting at one end of the top table and going round in a U shape to the other side of the top table. That way theres space in the middle for food serving (maybe) and everybody can see everybody! Go for it :-) Being different is the new traditional :-) xXx

I showed H2B last night the seating plan i sketched out with the top table in it. He doesnt seem to think it will work as his mum and his dad will argue even though his brother will be sat between them! And he doesnt want to sit next to his mum either which poses a problem...arghh!! So I mentioned the plan above and hes more up for that one :) Good job Ive got ages to go until i need to sort that!