DIY Wedding Seating Chart…and why you shouldn’t do it

Posted on May 4, 2012 | 0 comments

Microsoft Word document—. Boring Fonts. Odd text alignment. Table numbers listed before the names.  No mention of the event. And the worst part….blue copy paper taped to foam core boards!

The scene of the crime: A major event facility outside of Boston.

The culprit: Someone who thought saving a few bucks on a DIY seating chart was a good idea.

Thank goodness a friend already knew the table number so I didn’t have to look at it too long. But it was like a train wreck and I couldn’t stop looking at it. Then I decided it warranted a blog post and I was off sneaking photos with my phone. Even my husband cringed a bit when he saw it.

They had four set-ups of seating charts at this event.  There were close to 700 people and so they decided that multiple seating charts was the way to go.  Good job on choosing a seating chart and not place cards. That would have been mass chaos of people trying to find their card.  Good job at recognizing the need for multiple charts due to the size of the function.  BAD job at implementing the seating chart.  Maybe I will mail them a brochure and business card.  A not so subtle hint…

When it comes to your wedding or event, just remember, you don’t want your guests having the reaction that I had. How embarrassing would that be?  So, come on over to the Seating Chart Boutique. Find a design that suits you. Pick colors and fonts. Upload a spreadsheet with your info. It’s that easy!   You want people raving about how cool and unique your seating chart is…so skip the DIY wedding seating chart and leave it to the professionals!

Wedding Day Stationery now available!

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 | 0 comments

Looking for a full of package of ceremony & reception stationery? Look no further!  The Seating Chart Boutique is primarily known for its unique and beautiful seating charts to tell guests where to sit.  But, just recently, we added a line of five wedding-day stationery items to match our seating charts so that you can have a fully coordinated event.

Our wedding-day stationery line includes:

Ceremony programs  • Table numbers • Menus • Donation cards • Thank you notes

As always, you’ll have a ton of options, including adding cardstock layers, using matte or metallic cardstocks, different shapes and more!   Take a look at our Chandelier Seating Chart & Stationery designs below where you’ll see some of the options we just mentioned.

If you don’t see coordinating stationery for the seating chart you like, just email us at info at seatingchartboutique dot com and let us know! We will prioritize that design so you can have it for your event!  Jump on over to the Seating Chart Boutique  to find out more!

Wedding Seating Arrangements Made Easy!

Posted on Apr 17, 2012 | 1 comment

If you look at one of our seating charts, it looks so organized and simple, right?  Well, tell that to the bride and groom that spend hours and hours poring over the guest list to determine the perfect seat for everyone.   Cousin Steve is sitting at table 7. Seems simple enough…but that was after he was moved three times! Butting in Input from parents, overcrowding at table 6 and then getting a last minute email from cousin Erin that she couldn’t sit anywhere near Steve.  Seating plans are not so simple!

I have a secret for you… it doesn’t have to be a dreaded task. It can actually be easy, and maybe even fun!

Have you heard of Social Tables? Ok, so it won’t solve your family problems, BUT it will make your life so much easier when it comes to setting your wedding seating arrangements!  When I found them online, I thought, “Where were you five years ago when I got married?” as I had sticky notes plastered on paper plates and then had to transcribe everything into a spreadsheet. Seriously, we live in an online world now, so why would you even think about doing it on paper?

Social Tables has so many cool features, you have to check it out for yourself!   I’m going to break it down into two main areas that I find most useful:

1)      Online seating plan manager – Import your guest list from the Knot, Wedding Wire, or your own spreadsheet, etc. Set the number of tables and start dragging and dropping your guests on the tables.  So easy!  Then when your mother across the country demands to be involved, you can just have her look online at what you have done. Need to move someone… no problem!

2)      Socialize it!  Before or after the event, you can publish your seating plan so that guests can interact with each other.  So why would you want to socialize an event?  Well, remember that wedding last year where you forgot your camera and a friend of a friend at your table took all the photos? I bet you never saw your pictures taken by, oh what was her name? Exactly, you’ll never see those pictures.  If that event had been “socialized,” you could have connected via Facebook to see all those great shots or shared some fun stories about the night.

So, jump on over to Social Tables and sign up for FREE account today!   Yes, you heard me right. It is FREE!  Take it from me, don’t endure the painful process of manually doing a seating chart when Social Tables is here to help!

Vintage Flower Seating Chart: Norma & Patrick’s wedding

Posted on Feb 7, 2012 | 0 comments

We are so excited to share with you some beautiful photos of one of our reception seating charts courtesy of Melissa Robotti Photography.   Our Vintage Flower Seating Chart  coordinated so well with their overall color scheme and stationery items.  They chose to have their chart mounted and displayed it next to their guest book so guests could find their table assignment and sign the book at the same time.  Congratulations to Norma & Patrick!

Vendor Credits:

Photography:  Melissa Robotti Photography
Flowers:  The Tangled Web
Stationery -  The Green Kangaroo

New Designs on the way!

Posted on Dec 27, 2011 | 0 comments

At the Seating Chart Boutique, we are starting our New Year’s resolutions a little early!  Hey, if you are motivated to make the change, why wait another week?  First up on my list is to add new designs more regularly.  When I initially launched the site, I had planned to do one new design per week.  Well, that didn’t happen!  So today, I decided to pick up where I left off with reception seating chart designs, which was using a modern/geometric style.

Today, I am unveiling the first design, which was inspired by a wedding from 2008 where I designed all the invitations, ceremony and reception pieces.  The Crescent Moon Seating Chart design adds bold color on the right and two rows of dots adorn the top and bottom.  This is also the first in a new layout where I stacked all the guest names on the left. I’ll be changing up more layouts in the future as well.

Available in 23 main colors, plus your choice of four Guest Name/Accent Colors  (black, chocolate, charcoal and navy).  What do you think of the new seating chart design?

Happy Holidays!

Posted on Dec 23, 2011 | 0 comments

I can’t believe that 2011 is coming to a close…so much accomplished this year (and so many things still on the to-do list!).  This time last year, the Seating Chart Boutique was still an idea, nothing concrete. I had only a few designs created, no website, no blog and the launch seemed nowhere in sight.  But, hard work pays off and in April, the Seating Chart Boutique went live. We were able to be a part of dozens of weddings this year and are so grateful to those of you who had faith in us.

2012 is going to be a big year (cross your fingers!). We’re making lots of connections, getting our name out there in print and online and simply letting brides know about the best new trend out there…SEATING CHARTS!

Happy Holidays!

-Christine

Designer Wedding Seating Chart Frames now available!

Posted on Dec 16, 2011 | 0 comments

Who doesn’t love more options? I know I do!  So, here at the Seating Chart Boutique, we decided to branch out a bit and replace our line of simplistic frames with a brand new line of designer frames! We now offer 15 different styles to choose from.  From silver to gold, brown to bronze, pewter to mahogany and walnut to black…you are sure to find a color and frame design that fits with your style!

Framed Wedding Seating Charts start at $300.  All framed orders have prints that have been mounted, then professionally framed. To reduce glare, we do not use glass in the frame. Prints are 30″ x 20″, but the frame size can add up to 5″ to each dimension. See frame sizes above.