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Seating at English Wedding Receptions - Bernard and Lydia

posted 10 years ago by KatrinaW
13 replies | jump to latest

Just watching this now (for the millionth time!), and have noticed something about English wedding receptions. At Bernard and Lydia's wedding, the seating chart seems to be random. For example, Charles ends up at a table with all his former girlfriends, and Fiona ends up seated next to an older woman she doesn't know (the Lesbian conversation). Meanwhile, Matthew and Gareth seem to be seated at/near Carrie's table.

At American receptions, people are seated near/with people they know... friends, relatives, co-workers, etc. Is the seemingly random seating chart at Bernie/Lyds reception normal?

[–] ppllkk 10 years ago

KatrinaW wrote:

the seating chart seems to be random. For example, Charles ends up at a table with all his former girlfriends,

Why do you think that is random. Some time ago, a poster made the brilliant suggestion that putting Charles at a table with his ex-girlfriends was the bride's idea of a perfect day. (Or possibly her mother's.)The suggestion is that the bride was also one of the women Charles dumped.

[–] KatrinaW 10 years ago

I should have clarified... in the movie, it's obviously for comic effect. However, I was truly asking if it's the norm for regular, non-movie weddings.

[–] ppllkk 10 years ago

KatrinaW wrote:

However, I was truly asking if it's the norm for regular, non-movie weddings.

I guess I'm not as convinced as you are that the seating is random. I think we only really know about one table, and that is clearly not random. Other than the one woman, I don't remember who else was at Fiona's table. Do we know anything about the other tables? I don't think we know very much about work, family, social relationships in this group.But whether some thought goes into table assignments or not is an interesting question.

[–] lwangels0 9 years ago

A bit late but I can confirm being British that this is the norm. British weddings tend to mix up the guests and put them on tables with people they dont know. You may have 1 or 2 people there but they tend to want to get people to mingle with other guests.

[–] ppllkk 9 years ago

misslaurennightingal-566-599676 wrote:

British weddings tend to mix up the guests and put them on tables with people they dont know.

In other words, putting Charles at a table with four of his ex-girlfriends was deliberately sticking it to him — making him as uncomfortable as possible and reminding him of all the women that he has dumped. 

[–] lwangels0 9 years ago

hahah to be fair thats a little unusual. I can only guess that Bernard and Lydia had a good sense of humour or given that they planned in a wedding in only 3 months didnt really concentrate haha

[–] ppllkk 9 years ago

misslaurennightingal-566-599676 wrote:

I can only guess that Bernard and Lydia had a good sense of humour

A poster made the brilliant suggestion that it was the bride's — or possibly her mother's — idea of a perfect day.The implication is that Lydia was another ex-girlfriend.I have not been able to find the post, and if you ever run across it, please send me the link. I would like to be able to credit the poster for the idea.

[–] zuccascatering 10 years ago

This was exactly my take on it as well!

[–] gbarberi 9 years ago

No, co-workers at the table! I understand for Americans work is everything, but...

[–] KatrinaW 8 years ago

No, it's not everything. I only had co-workers who were also good friends at my wedding.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ppllkk 8 years ago

andrewmcdonaldgloucester wrote:

It utterly depends on the wedding.

That is quite interesting as a matter of fact, but I love the idea that putting Charles at a table with his ex-girlfriend's was the bride's idea of perfect day too much to give it up.I wish I could remember who came up with that. If anyone knows, please tell me.

[–] ABBAcat 8 years ago

I've been to several formal weddings in the UK and always got a seating card. The hosts put me at a table with both people I knew well and a smattering of guests who perhaps didn't know a lot of people other than the couple. I think the goal of good wedding seating and all party seating etiquette is not to isolate party guests into cliques, but rather to find ways to get guests to mingle, meet each other, and form an overall friendly atmosphere.

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