Seating: How to make sure the right people are seated next to each other
In general: At banquets, receptions and official celebrations where there is a menu, there are fixed rules for seating: the highest-ranking seat is to the right of the host. Invite as a (married) couple, sit across from each other. The most senior woman sits to the right of the host, the most senior male to the right of the hostess. The farther away a guest sits from you, the lower their rank.
When working out a seating arrangement, you should always keep in mind the goal that everyone present has a pleasant evening with pleasant conversations. So: who gets along with whom, which guests have similar interests?
Seat your guests in such a way that two women and two men sit next to each other. This solution has even proven itself in diplomatic practice because it contributes to better communication. If the men delve into a topic that is not exciting for everyone – football and stocks are notorious – those women who do not want to participate quickly find other material. No one is annoyed, and every lady has a table gentleman, as the classic seating plan envisages.
Separating married couples is an optional provision when it comes to seating arrangements. If you need to organize an invitation and place cards around the table, you should at least consider a good British dining rule: don’t seat married couples next to each other! When spouses are not sitting next to each other, it is easier for them to get to know the other guests. And this seating arrangement has another advantage: afterwards you have something to talk about at home.
You can avoid time-consuming searches by guests for their seats with a placement board. And this is what it could look like: The shape of a table is indicated on a panel wrapped in leather or linen – size: 40 x 60 cm. Plug-in devices for small name tags measuring 2 x 6 cm are incorporated around the table sketch. These can be quickly repositioned if necessary, for example in the event of cancellations at short notice. The placement board is positioned in front of the event room so that it is clearly visible.