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!

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!

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!

Vendor Credits:

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

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?

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

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.

One of the last big projects for a wedding is setting the seating arrangements. For some, this can be really simple. But for others, this can be a very difficult process. I also run a custom-design invitation business and one question I often hear is “How far in advance should I set my RSVP date?”   ONE MONTH before the event is always the answer I give.  Some people will say 2-3 weeks before, but that often isn’t enough time.

Why you ask?

1)  Non-responders – You may ask for your responses 1 month in advance, but it doesn’t mean you’ll get them then.  You will always have a few (or many) non-responders. You’ll need to follow up by email or phone, but if you have given yourself a month, you can be a little lenient and give them an extra week before pounding on their door for answer.

2) Reduce last minute stress- The last thing you need is to stress yourself out by giving yourself a big deadline at the end.  Most people will already know your wedding date in advance from a save-the-date or word of mouth.  Many will have already made arrangements prior to receiving an invitation.

3) Final counts - Every reception facility and/or wedding coordinator work differently. Some want final counts a few days before the wedding, but I have heard of some requiring it 2 weeks before! Don’t crunch yourself for time!

4) Allow time for professional seating chart preparation - Since the seating arrangements are done so last minute, many couples  go the DIY route with placecards due to timing.  At the Seating Chart Boutique, we understand the last time crunch you are under and we deliver most orders within 3-5 business days…sometimes even sooner!   I always suggest placing your seating chart order about 7-10 business days before the event. This way, you have a few weeks after RSVPs are due to collect all the info and assigns tables…then you will still receive your chart with days to spare.

If you haven’t figured out what you are doing to present your seating arrangements, consider using a wedding seating chart from the Seating Chart Boutique.  Read more about our product on our site: http://www.seatingchartboutique.com.  See a few examples of our designs below.

Please keep in mind that I always tell my invitation clients to mail invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding . This gives the guest about 4 weeks to respond and you about 4 weeks to plan. Please plan your invitation mail date about 3-4 weeks before your RSVP date.

Wedding Seating Chart up for auction!  $235 value

The Seating Chart Boutique has donated one framed seating chart to The Chris Boshar Fund.  This is your chance to help out a great cause, while getting a beautiful seating chart for your wedding.  We hope you place a bid for it today – the online bidding ends this Wednesday, September 14th.   This item has a $235 value.

 What is a seating chart and why should I use one?

Do you want to seat your guests…in style?  A seating chart is the best way to do it!  This framed 30” x 20” chart allows you to list your guest list alphabetically on one designed space…choose from over 20 designs, 20 colors and 20 fonts!  Forget the last-minute stress of creating your own placecards…just send us the guest list in our simple spreadsheet and let us handle the details!

Details about the item: You will be able to choose from over 20 designs on our website– from damask to floral, nature themes to decorative swirls, we’ve got it covered! To see our full line of designs, please visit www.seatingchartbotuique.com.  This listing includes your choice of a mounted chart (can sit on an easel) or a framed seating chart (choose black or dark brown).  30” x 20”.

Conditions: Guest list must be supplied using our spreadsheet template 7-10 business days before the event. Includes the following upgrades for free if desired: Use of table names instead of numbers and custom colors. Duplicate charts available at a discounted rate. Custom designs not included.

About the cause:

This donation is for the Chris Boshar Fund.  July 2, 2011 started off as a fun filled day with family and friends on Lake Winnisquam in NH, but it soon turned to tragedy after 25 year old Chris Boshar seriously injured his spinal cord during an accident on the water.

Although I don’t know Chris personally, he is the cousin of a close family member.  I’ve been following Chris’s journey on Facebook since the accident and I can tell you that he has an amazing spirit, a positive attitude and the determination to get through this. We are so happy to help by donating this item to his family defray some of the costs necessary to support his long term care and recovery.

For more information about Chris:

To learn more about Chris, visit his website: http://www.restorethebosh.com

To follow Chris’s progress on Facebook, visit his Care Page.

Auction information:

 To see the full set of auction items and our listing, visit:

http://www.restorethebosh.com/Auction.html

 Online bidding is available until Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at noon (Eastern time).

Send an email to restorethebosh@yahoo.com with the following information:

- Contact Information (Name, Address, Phone Number)

- Item Name and Number

- Current Bid

During the online portion of the auction, the auction book will be updated at least once a day with current bid amounts and any new auction items. A benefit will be held on Friday, September 16, 2011 and all the in-person bidding will close during this event

About the Seating Chart Boutique:

To learn more about the Seating Chart Boutique, visit our website: www.seatingchartboutique.com.  Don’t forget to get connected with us – subscribe to our blog, follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.

As you plan your own big day, you wonder, “Is this the way it has to work?” Do I have to spend hundreds of dollars or countless hours on placecards that leave no lasting impression?  Of course not!  You don’t have to force your grandparents to hunch over a table of tiny cards when you can display their names in a beautiful, framed seating chart.  Wedding seating charts elevate the everyday placecard to an elegant showpiece that will carry the colors and theme of your wedding and will be remembered long after guests leave the cocktail hour.  They also make excellent alternatives to the neglected guest book as they already have everyone represented.   Some brides even display their charts in their home as a memory of the day and who they spent it with.  Try that with a table of placecards.

Seating charts are a hot new trend in the wedding industry but they are really not new.  At the Seating Chart Boutique, we have been doing them for years.  Our brides are generous in their accolades about the quality of the printed product and the ease of working with us.  We take great pride in the fact that we can deliver excellent quality at such a great value.  In many cases, our seating charts cost less than the placecards they replace!

So if your wedding is just around the corner and you are looking to put a twist on the same old routine, consider the impression a beautiful wedding seating chart will have on your friends and family.  Not only will it welcome them into your celebration with style, but it can be yours to hold onto for years to come.