We all know how stressful planning a wedding can be, making wedding planning burnout a very real possibility. Whether you’re trying not to pull out your hair as wedding costs skyrocket or you’re obsessing over every little detail to ensure that everything goes the way you’ve pictured it, feeling overwhelmed is guaranteed to happen if you’re not careful.
Thankfully, this isn’t something new and there are endless resources to help the modern bridal couple looking to keep costs and anxiety low.
If you’re looking for a dreamy honeymoon destination, try taking a peek in your own backyard. The glittering sands of the South of France, or the azure-blue waters…
If you’ve just made it past the potential minefield that is the guest list, here’s your next challenge: How are you going to seat everyone? Round tables? Long ones? One long banquet table? Goodness. Read on to set your mind free from all these decisions…
1. DANCE FLOOR FIRST!
This is your starting point. The most popular – and effective – option is to plonk your dance floor in the centre of the room. Then you’ll position the band or DJ against the wall. If your venue doesn’t allow for this, you can place the dance floor at one end of the room, centred and backed up against a wall.
2. FIND YOUR TABLES
Choose the shape and size of your tables – but regardless of this, make sure the two of you are in a central spot that your guests can see. Figure out how many guests fit at each table, to determine how many tables you will need.
3. THE FLOOR PLAN
Start with yourself and your SO – you get the best seats in the house, whether that means with the best view or closest to the bar (it’s been a long few months!) Then arrange your tables as symmetrically as possible – in a U-shape around the centre dance floor or fill one end of the space (if the dance floor is on the one side).
4. VIPs
Reserve the tables closest to the two of you for your immediate families, and set aside tables further from the band/DJ for older guests. The less desirable seats should be saved for your friends. Keep people together who will enjoy the time together – perhaps there are family members who haven’t seen each other in a while?
5. THE BAR
This will also be dependent on your venue, but as a rule of thumb, the bar should be away from the entrance to avoid possible congestion. If you have more than one bar (one bar with two bartenders for every 100 guests is a good point of measure), then position one close to the dance floor and another one on the other side of the room.
6. ARRANGE THE NAMES
Now that the hard work is over, how are you going to let your guests know where to sit on the day? If you have more than 75 guests, displaying their names in alphabetical order is the most convenient option, to eliminate confusion and unnecessary time spent at the seating chart. To make it more exciting, give each guest a refreshing cocktail or glass of bubbly along with their table number – it really sets the tone for a festive reception!
ALSO SEE: How to save money on wedding flowers without sacrificing style
How to save money on wedding flowers without sacrificing style
Written by Claire Davies for Wedding Etc. Summer 2020
Feature image: Pexels
Once upon a time, saying “I do” in your early twenties felt like a given. Today? Not so much. South Africans are rewriting the rules of romance, choosing…
When images of Zendaya and Tom Holland seemingly tying the knot began circulating online, fans didn’t hesitate to believe the fairytale. Set against the romantic stillness of Lake Como, the pictures looked convincingly real.
There was just one catch: every single image was AI-generated.
A viral illusion
The photos spread like wildfire across Instagram and X, with millions liking, sharing and — crucially — believing what they were seeing. While some posts included small disclaimers labelling the images as “artistic recreations,” the detail was easy to miss in a sea of double taps.
“They’re not real”
Speaking on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Zendaya addressed the moment with a kind of amused disbelief that feels very on-brand.
While she was out in the real world, people were stopping her to gush over her “wedding photos”. Her response was simple: the images weren’t real.
Even more surprising? It wasn’t just fans who were convinced. People in her own circle had seen the images and assumed they were legitimate, with some jokingly offended that they hadn’t been invited.
Of course, the internet didn’t pull this narrative out of thin air. Rumours around the couple’s relationship have been quietly building for a while. Stylist Law Roach previously hinted that a wedding may have already taken place.
Then came Paris Fashion Week, where Zendaya stepped out wearing a gold band, and suddenly speculation had something visual to latch onto.
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The reality behind the romance
Zendaya and Holland’s real-life love story began on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming, and since then, they’ve become one of Hollywood’s most quietly adored couples.
They’re set to reunite again in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, with more shared screen time on the horizon, including The Odyssey.
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Lily Collins reunited with her engagement ring three years after it was stolen
Source: Adapted from reporting by BBC News.
Feature image: Zendaya/Instagram
Originally posted in 2019. Creativity is always encouraged and being inventive is cool. But this guy might have just taken it too far. A Japanese man collected his…
For brides tying the knot in the colder months, long-sleeved wedding dresses and chic cover-ups offer the perfect balance between style and practicality. Think sheer lace sleeves, dreamy capes and cosy knits… Pieces that not only keep you warm but add depth and drama to your overall look.
If a strapless gown isn’t quite your vision, consider this your cue to embrace something a little more seasonally inspired. These cold-weather options prove that covering up can be just as striking – if not more so.
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Feature image: Alexander Mass/Pexels
Most women know what style of wedding dress they want. But have you considered the practicalities of finding your dream frock that have nothing to do with how…