I am planning my daughter's wedding reception, which will be a plated dinner (each table will seat 10 people). Her father & I are divorced; however, we get along well. The groom's parents are also divorced; however, they do not seem to be very cordial to one another.
My dilemma is regarding seating at the reception. My thoughts are to seat the groom's mother, brothers & their families at a table (this will take up 7 seats, leaving 3 more seats to be filled) & seat the groom's father, along with his lady friend at a separate table (not sure who else to seat with them).
I have been dating a gentleman for 1 1/2 years. He has become very special to my daughter & her fiance'. However, the bride's father just recently began dating someone new and my daughter is not very accepting of his new lady friend. Since her father & I have always gotten along so well since our divorce (we were married 27 years), I thought it would be nice if our family sat together. My ex has met the gentleman I date & he has even had dinner with us (as I said, we get along well). I would like to be able to seat my gentleman friend at my table; however, I do not feel the bride's father's lady friend should be seated at the table with our family, since I do not know her, my son does not know her, my daughter is very fond of her, & since it is just the beginning of their relationship.
Would it be inappropriate to seat my friend at my table; however, seat his lady friend at the table with his family since she has met them (there is 1 seat left to fill at their table)? This would only be for dinner because there will be an open bar and and a DJ/dancing later so everyone can mix/mingle among tables. The other alternative would be to ask my friend if he's ok with me seating him with some of our friends, but he has been such a great help to me planning everything, it seems unfair. He has actually helped me get it together more than her dad; however, her dad is helping financially.
I do not want to mess up my daughter's special day, and I would also like to keep the reception stress-free, fun and memorable. Thanks for any input regarding this matter.
Wedding Reception Seating
