Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Tips and Advice: reserving chairs at the ceremony


Have you ever attended a wedding and noticed that everyone tends to sit in the back, or not sit at all? Perhaps it is because as guests, we feel "unworthy"of sitting up front; to be respectful, we place ourselves in the back, thinking that we should allow immediate family...or older guests...or closer friends... to sit up close. What happens, then, is that no one ends up sitting in the front, leaving the bride and groom feeling a bit isolated.

To prevent seats from being underutilized, we often suggest reserving seats with signs at a ceremony, particularly when the number of chairs are limited/less than the anticipated number of attendees. This sends a clear signal to guests that certain seats are designated for key guests, whereas all the rest of the chairs are free for anyone's use. If at a church or chapel, a "reserved" sign hung at the end of the pew serves the same function.

Photo by Visionari

Another advantage to utilizing reserved signs is that they can add a splash of color and enhance a color scheme on an otherwise neutral landscape of chairs. Incorporating ribbon, crystal, and multiple layers of cardstock make these simple signs beautiful accent pieces at the ceremony, rather than simply being functional pieces of paper. Suggestion: if reserving seats for special guests, advise these guests in advance that they have reserved seating, or designate an usher or two to help them find their seats. By filling seats and pews, we create a feeling of intimacy and support for the bride and groom, and that is the goal after all, isn't it?

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