Seating Chart for First Responder Guests

As if family and friends dynamics aren’t enough to make creating a seating chart virtually impossible, here’s something else to consider.

While a place at table number two right next to the head table in the front of the room would be a honor for most guests, first responders such as police, firefighters, EMTs, and the military have slightly different seating preferences. We prefer a seat in the back of the room, preferably with our back to a wall, an exit nearby, and a clear view of the entire room.

It’s nothing personal and it’s not that we don’t want to be close to the happy couple. First responders are trained to watch for and react to any situation that could possibly occur. To do this, we need to see the entire room as well as know that there’s nothing that could possibly surprise us from behind. We also need to be near the exit to see everyone that walks in before they see us.

While you’d love to give your first responder guests a night off to celebrate with the rest of your guests, the truth is that we’re never (ever, ever) truly ‘off duty’. Being a first responder is a lifestyle rather than an occupation.

I’d highly recommend reaching out to your first responder guests to ask them if they’d prefer a seat in the back of the room. You’ll probably find they will! And hey, that’s probably a cool thing, freeing up posh seats for your other guests.

If you do have a first responder table or two at the back of the room and are doing a buffet dinner, let your vendors know! They’ll make sure the tables are invited to the buffet line immediately after the wedding royalty rather than after everyone else as is traditional with the tables at the back.

It’s also important to let your vendors know if your first responder guests are planning any sort of activity/tradition. They’ll be happy to coordinate it!