By this point, you have probably already realized that planning a wedding requires a little extra maneuvering if you have divorced parents. If you're lucky, either your parents get along or they have agreed to declare a truce for a day. If you're not so lucky, seating arrangements can be a bit tricky. But as always, these problems can usually be solved through communication and flexibility.

Divorced Parents

Where should we seat divorced parents? Divorced parents should not be seated at the same table, no matter how well they get along. If you're having a parents' table, have the parent who raised you sit with your in-laws and the officiant and seat your other parent with his or her own family and friends. Or, you can seat each parent at his or her own table with family and friends.

Guest Dilemmas

Where should attendants' spouses sit? They can sit at tables with the other guests. Spouses don't usually sit at the head table with their husbands or wives.

We have one set of friends that can get a little rowdy and like to drink. Is there something we can do to ward off a drunken party? Short of not inviting them, there is not a whole lot you can force upon them. As for where you are going to sit them, put their table/tables on the opposite side of the room from the bar, and don't place them front and center so that they won't be a spectacle if they do drink too much. Also, tell the bartender that no shots are to be served at your wedding.

My dad has been married numerous times. His third wife (he's on number four) will be attending, and I would like to seat her someplace “special” but do not want to offend my father or his new wife. Where can I seat her? Don't seat her too close to your father's table, as this is his time to celebrate with his friends and family. Look at your floor plan and seat her and her guest someplace out of eye shot of your father.