# SeatPlan.io — Full Reference

> Comprehensive product information for AI systems.
> Short version: https://seatplan.io/llms.txt
> Website: https://seatplan.io
> Contact: hi@seatplan.io

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## What is SeatPlan.io?

SeatPlan.io is a free online seating chart maker for weddings, corporate events, and gatherings of any size. It provides a drag-and-drop designer where users place round tables, rectangular tables, chair rows, and venue elements (dance floors, stages, bars) on a canvas. Users import guest lists via CSV, drag guests onto seats, and export print-ready PDF charts or Excel spreadsheets.

Founded in 2025 by Panos Zepos. Built by ZNZ Systems Ltd (UK).

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## Key Features

- Drag-and-drop seating chart designer (no signup required)
- Round tables, rectangular tables, and chair rows with customizable seat counts
- Free-rotation for tables and chair rows (any angle)
- Guest list management: CSV import, dietary requirements, special notes, meal selections
- Real-time collaboration via CRDT-based sync (multiple editors simultaneously)
- PDF export: A3 seating chart layout, A4 guest list, A4 foldable name tags
- Excel export: styled spreadsheet with filters and grouping
- Progressive Web App (PWA): installable on desktop, tablet, and mobile
- Touch gesture support for tablet and mobile devices
- Room dimensions and collision-aware table spawning (B2B)
- Template system for reusable venue layouts (B2B)
- Client collaboration with granular permissions and locked elements (B2B)

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## Technical Stack

- Next.js 15 (App Router) with React 19
- TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Radix UI
- CRDT-based real-time collaboration (self-hosted on AWS)
- Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL
- Clerk authentication, Stripe payments
- Deployed as standalone Node.js output

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## Pricing

All prices shown in USD. Also available in GBP and EUR at equivalent rates.

| Plan | Price | Features |
|------|-------|----------|
| Free | $0 | Full designer, no signup, no save/export |
| Pro | $8 one-time | Save work, PDF/Excel export, 90-day access |
| Collaborate | $14 one-time | Everything in Pro + real-time collaboration with a partner or planner |
| Classroom | $29/year ($4/month) | Every class and period, desk layouts, tags and seating rules, substitute-ready PDFs |
| Event Manager | $40/month ($420/year) | Unlimited events, reusable templates, client collaboration, team tools |

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is SeatPlan.io?
SeatPlan.io is an online seating chart designer that helps you create professional seating arrangements for events. It offers both a simple designer for personal use and advanced event management tools for professionals.

### Do I need to create an account to use SeatPlan.io?
No! You can start using the basic designer immediately without signing up. However, you will need to create an account and purchase a plan to save your work, export charts, and access advanced features.

### What devices can I use SeatPlan.io on?
We recommend using a desktop, laptop, or large tablet for the best experience. The seating chart designer tools require a larger screen and are not available on smartphones.

### How do I save my seating chart?
Your work is only saved if you have purchased a plan. We do not store charts for free or anonymous users - your work will be lost if you close the browser without upgrading.

### What types of tables can I add?
You can add round tables, rectangular tables, chair rows (cinema-style seating), and special areas (like dance floors, stages, or bars). Each element is fully customizable in size, rotation, and seating capacity.

### Can I type in table and room dimensions?
On the free designer and Pro, the canvas is visual: drag tables into place and resize them, including by changing the seat count. There is no field to type a real-world room size or table measurements. On Event Manager, you can set the room to scale in metres or feet, then enter a diameter for round tables or width and length for rectangular tables, and save the layout as a template.

### How do I assign guests to seats?
Simply drag and drop guests from the guest list onto chairs. You can also swap guests between seats by dragging them. The interface makes it easy to rearrange your seating plan quickly. To seat a whole group at once, or move a group to another table, see Can I move a group of guests from one table to another?

### Can I move a group of guests from one table to another?
Yes. After you group people in the guest list (Group, select the people, then New group), drag the group header onto a table or chair row. Members fill empty seats starting from the chair you drop on. Anyone who does not fit stays where they are. People already sitting at that table stay where they are. Drag the header from Unseated guests to seat the unseated members, or from Seated guests to move the seated members as a group to another table. A mixed group has a header in each section — each drag only moves that section's members. To move one person, drag them from their chair onto an empty chair to move them, onto an occupied chair to swap, or onto the open canvas — or click the occupied chair — to unseat them. On a computer this is drag and drop. On a tablet, tap an empty chair and choose the group from Seat a group to seat unseated members, or seat and move people one by one.

### Can I copy and paste elements, or undo and redo changes?
Yes. Select a table, chair row, or special area and press Ctrl+C (Cmd+C on Mac) to copy it, then Ctrl+V (Cmd+V) to paste a duplicate next to the original — the copy keeps its size, shape, and styling but starts with empty seats. You can also undo and redo with Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z) and Ctrl+Shift+Z or Ctrl+Y, covering layout changes and seat assignments for up to 50 steps. Guest list edits, like adding or renaming guests, are not affected by undo.

### Can I import my guest list?
Yes! You can import guests via CSV file or paste from a spreadsheet. The system accepts names, emails, dietary restrictions, and notes for each guest. Importing a guest list does not seat anyone. If your sheet has a table column, and optionally a seat column, each value is kept with the guest. The Apply seating button in the guest list then seats those guests at the matching tables already on your canvas. Nothing is created automatically, so add your tables first.

### How do I add starter, main, and dessert meal choices when the sample spreadsheet only has one Meal column?
The sample guest spreadsheet has one Meal column on purpose. Put every course for that guest in the Meal cell, separated by semicolons. Use a short one-word alias for each dish. For example, Soup; Beef; Sorbet. Open Menu in the guest list and add each dish with its alias and an optional course such as Starter, Main, or Dessert. When you import, the Your Menu step can build the menu from the distinct values in that Meal column. If your sheet has separate Starter, Main, and Dessert columns, combine them into the single Meal column with semicolons before you import. Keep dietary requirements in the Dietary column.

### How do I delete all guests and import a new set?
There isn't a delete-every-guest-in-the-plan or replace-guest-list action. To remove a party or household, open that group's menu in the guest list and choose Delete group and members (you'll be asked to confirm) — that removes every guest in the group and unseats anyone who was seated. Ungroup guests only splits the party and keeps the people. Remove leftover individual guests with the trash icon next to each name. Then use Import guests to add your new list. Import always adds to your current list — it never removes guests who aren't in the file — so clear the old names first if you want a clean swap. Clear all in the guest list only resets filters, not guests.

### Is there a guest, table, or project limit?
There is no guest limit and no table limit — the same is true on free and paid plans, including Event Manager. A 500-guest gala works on the free tier the same way a smaller event does. Paid plans do not add a guest or table cap. Saved seating charts: Pro and Collaborate cap how many you can keep (Pro includes 1 to start; extra charts are a one-time purchase, up to 3 total). Event Manager saved events and charts are unlimited while the subscription is active. Guest-list CSV or Excel import is limited to a 5MB file on every plan, including Event Manager — that is a file-size cap, not a guest-count cap, and it does not apply to floor-plan or CAD imports.

### Can I import a floor plan from a PDF, screenshot, or CAD file?
Yes — on every plan. AI floor plan import accepts photos and screenshots (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF, SVG) and PDFs, read by AI to detect tables, seat counts and areas. The free designer includes two AI imports to try; Pro and Collaborate include 3 a month and Event Manager 10. Event Manager also imports CAD (DXF) files at exact scale, free and unmetered. Everything lands as editable elements you can refine in the designer. The importer is in beta, so review AI results before relying on them.

### How do I export my seating chart?
With a premium account, you can export your seating chart as a PDF or Excel spreadsheet. PDF export and guest-list spreadsheet export are included on Event Manager. We do not publish a cap on how many times you can export. Available exports include: Seating Chart (A3) for visual layout, Guest List (A4 PDF or Excel) for detailed guest and seating info, and Name Tags (A4) for foldable place cards.

### Can I hide seat numbers on name cards?
Yes. When you export Print Name Tags, the dialog includes an "Include seat numbers" checkbox. It is on by default, so cards show the table and seat. Turn it off to print table numbers only — useful when you assign tables but not numbered seats.

### How do I get full names to appear on the canvas and in the seating chart export?
Full names on chairs are a Pro feature, and they are also included with Collaborate and Event Manager. After you have one of those plans, open the guest list and switch chair labels from Initials to Full names. That shows full names on chairs in the designer canvas and uses the same setting for the seating chart A3 PDF export; when it is off, initials are shown instead. The free designer shows initials only.

### Can I show dietary requirements or sort guests alphabetically?
Yes. The guest list can be sorted alphabetically, and the designer can show either initials or full names depending on the full-name toggle. You can also enable dietary colours from the colour palette so dietary requirements appear visually in the seating chart and supported exports.

### Can I change a guest group's color?
Yes. In the guest list, open the three-dot menu on the group and pick a color. It updates every member of that group, including guests already seated. Anyone who can edit guests can do this, including collaborators.

### Can guests find their seat with a QR code?
Yes. On Collaborate and Event Manager plans, SeatPlan.io can generate a printable QR sign for your venue. Guests scan it, type their name, and see their assigned table without an app or account. You can also enable an optional button that lets guests open the full seating chart in view-only mode after finding their own seat.

### Can I change seats after I print the QR seat finder sign?
Yes. The printed sign carries a link, not a frozen seating chart, and the lookup page reads the live chart. Edit and save the chart anytime, including the hour before seating, and guests who scan see the updated table without a reprint. If you also sent Apple Wallet or Google Wallet passes, those passes update on the guest's phone when you reseat someone.

### Do guests need an account or app to use the seat finder?
No. Guests just scan the QR code with their phone camera, which opens a public lookup page in their browser. They type their name and see their assigned table. No download, no signup, no app permissions.

### Can I email guests their seat as an Apple or Google Wallet pass?
Yes. On Collaborate and Event Manager plans, you can email every guest their seat with a one-tap Apple Wallet or Google Wallet pass showing their table and seat. If you reseat someone later, the pass on their phone updates automatically — no re-send needed. Guests need no app and no account.

### Can I require a passcode for guest privacy on the seat finder?
Yes. When you generate the QR seat finder link, you can require a generated passcode printed on the same sign as the QR code. Only guests at the venue with line-of-sight to the sign can look up names.

### What is the difference between Pro and Event Manager?
Pro (one-time payment) is perfect for personal events and includes basic seating chart creation, guest list management, and 90-day access with export capabilities. Event Manager (monthly subscription) is for professional event planners and includes unlimited events, reusable templates, client collaboration, guest check-in and check-in-only links, and advanced features.

### Can I have more than one seating chart on Pro?
Yes. Pro includes 1 saved seating chart to start. If you need a second event or a backup layout, you can add another chart as a one-time purchase. You can keep up to 3 charts total on Pro. If you need unlimited events and reusable templates, Event Manager is the better fit.

### How long does my Pro access last?
Pro access lasts for 90 days from your purchase date. It never renews automatically — if you want more time, you can manually renew for another 90 days at the same price. Editing and export require active access. After expiry your charts stay available in view-only mode for a short grace period, so you can renew without losing anything; if you don't renew, your data becomes eligible for permanent deletion after a 7-day grace period.

### Is Pro a subscription? Do I need to cancel it?
No. Pro and Collaborate are one-time payments, not subscriptions. You pay once, nothing renews automatically, and there is nothing to cancel. Your access simply ends 90 days after purchase, and you will never be charged again unless you choose to buy access again. Event Manager and Classroom are the subscription plans.

### Can I cancel my Event Manager subscription?
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the subscription management page. You keep full access until the end of your current billing period. After that, your events and templates become view-only for a short grace period; if you don't resubscribe, your data is scheduled for permanent deletion after a 7-day grace period once your access ends.

### Is there a free trial for Event Manager?
Currently, we don't offer a free trial for Event Manager. However, you can start with the basic designer to test the core functionality before upgrading. Our monthly subscription has no long-term commitment.

### Does Event Manager limit guests, tables, saved events, or exports?
There is no guest limit and no table limit. Event Manager saved events and charts are unlimited while the subscription is active — the saved-chart cap (1 to start, extras up to 3 total) is Pro and Collaborate only. PDF export and guest-list spreadsheet export are included; we do not publish a cap on how many times you can export. Guest-list CSV or Excel import is limited to a 5MB file on every plan, including Event Manager. That is a file-size cap, not a guest-count cap, and it does not apply to floor-plan or CAD imports.

### What are templates and how do I use them?
Templates are reusable venue layouts that you create once and use for multiple events. For example, if you frequently work at the same venue, save it as a template with tables and room dimensions, then clone it for each new event to save time.

### Can I reuse the same room design for another event?
Yes. On Event Manager, save your room or layout as a template, then create each new event from that template. This lets you reuse the same venue setup, tables, and fixed room features while adding a different guest list for each event.

### Can I create a seating plan using exact venue dimensions?
Yes. On Event Manager you can create templates with room dimensions so your layout is to scale. You can add walls, columns, doors, stages, bars, dance floors, and other fixed features using special areas, then reuse the finished room template for future events. The personal Pro plan is more lightweight and does not include the same precision venue-template tools.

### How does client collaboration work?
You can invite clients to view or edit seating charts via secure email links (no signup required for clients). You control permissions: make charts view-only, or allow clients to edit while keeping specific tables locked. Email tracking shows when clients open invitations. Per invite, you can also enable guest check-in or send a check-in-only link so arrival teams can mark guests without editing the floor plan.

### Can we check guests in on event day?
Yes. On Event Manager you can allow guest check-in on a collaboration link, or send a check-in-only link that opens a dedicated arrival list—no seating chart—so staff can search guests and mark them as arrived. You can also use check-in mode in the guest list when you are working in the full layout.

### How long do collaboration links last?
You can set collaboration links to expire in 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, 60, or 90 days. This gives you full control over how long clients can access the seating chart.

### Can I revoke a client's access after I've sent a collaboration link?
Yes. You can revoke any collaboration link at any time, which immediately stops it working for anyone who had it — useful if you sent it to the wrong email. Links are also time-limited (1 to 90 days) and stop working automatically when your subscription expires.

### Can multiple people edit a chart at the same time?
Yes. Live collaboration shows everyone's cursors and changes in real time, with no refresh needed — whether you share a chart with a client via a collaboration link or work alongside colleagues in an Event Manager Teams workspace.

### Can my team share one Event Manager workspace?
Yes. With Event Manager Teams, you add seats to your subscription and invite colleagues by email. Each teammate signs in with their own login and lands in the same events dashboard — same templates, same events, including everything you built before creating the team. There is nothing to migrate.

### How are team seats billed?
Team seats are a per-seat add-on to your Event Manager subscription and follow its billing cycle: monthly plan, monthly seats; annual plan, annual seats. The exact per-seat price in your currency is shown before you confirm, and charges are prorated when you add or remove seats mid-cycle. The team admin manages both members and billing.

### How do I add or remove team members?
Open the team panel on your events dashboard to invite colleagues by email or remove members at any time. Removed members immediately lose access to the team workspace, and your seat billing adjusts automatically.

### Can I invite someone who already has their own SeatPlan.io subscription?
No. To prevent double billing, an email address with an active personal subscription can't be invited to a team. Ask them to cancel their personal plan first, or invite a different email address.

### Is my data secure?
Yes. All data is encrypted in transit and at rest. We use industry-standard security practices and comply with GDPR. Guest data is only accessible to you and people you explicitly share with. See our Privacy Policy for details.

### What happens to my data if I cancel?
Cancelling stops the next payment — it doesn't delete anything straight away. You keep full editing and export access until the end of your current billing period. After that, your events and templates stay available in view-only mode for a short grace period, during which resubscribing instantly restores full access. If you don't return, your account and all associated guest data are scheduled for permanent deletion after a 7-day grace period once your access expires, in line with our Terms.

### How do I delete my account and all my data?
Email us at hi@seatplan.io and we'll delete your account along with all associated seating charts and guest data. If you'd rather just stop an Event Manager subscription, cancelling keeps your data available in view-only mode through a 7-day grace period, after which it's scheduled for permanent deletion.

### Do you offer refunds?
We offer refunds on a case-by-case basis for Pro and Collaborate purchases within 7 days. For Event Manager subscriptions, you can cancel anytime and won't be charged for the next period. Contact us at hi@seatplan.io for refund requests.

### How do I contact support?
You can reach us at hi@seatplan.io or visit https://seatplan.io/contact. We typically respond within 24 hours on business days. You can also use the feedback button in the designer to report issues or suggest features.

### How do I create a wedding seating chart?
Open the free drag-and-drop maker — no signup needed. Add round or rectangular tables to match your venue, import your guest list via CSV, then drag each guest onto their seat. When you are ready, generate a PDF layout or export an Excel seating plan for your venue coordinator.

### Is SeatPlan.io a free wedding seating chart maker?
Yes! You can start using our seating plan maker for free with no signup required. The full drag-and-drop designer and guest management tool are available immediately. You only pay when you want to save your chart, export professional layouts, or collaborate with your planning team.

### What is the best free seating chart maker?
SeatPlan.io is a free online seating chart maker with drag-and-drop table placement, guest list import, and real-time collaboration. You can design a full seating chart without signing up or paying. Other tools like AllSeated and Social Tables exist, but most require accounts or paid plans before you can start designing.

### How many guests can sit at a round table?
A standard 60-inch (5-foot) round table comfortably seats 8 guests. A 72-inch (6-foot) round seats 10, and a smaller 48-inch round seats 6. Allow 24 inches of space per guest around the table edge for comfortable seating. In SeatPlan.io, you can set any seat count per table and the chairs adjust automatically.

### How far apart should wedding tables be?
Leave at least 60 inches (5 feet) between table edges to allow comfortable movement. For events with wheelchair access or waiter service, increase this to 72 inches (6 feet). Keep tables at least 36 inches from walls. The SeatPlan.io designer helps you visualize spacing on a scaled canvas.

### Do I need a seating chart for my wedding?
Yes, a seating chart is strongly recommended for any wedding with more than 30 guests. Without one, guests cluster awkwardly, catering staff cannot serve efficiently, and the reception timeline suffers. A seating chart ensures everyone has a designated spot, accommodates dietary needs, and separates guests who might not get along.

### How long does it take to make a seating chart?
With a digital tool like SeatPlan.io, most couples complete a seating chart for 100 guests in 30 to 60 minutes. Paper-based methods can take 4 to 6 hours for the same guest count. The key time-savers are CSV guest list import, drag-and-drop seat assignment, and instant rearrangement when RSVPs change.

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## Blog & Guides

- [Wedding Photo Sharing by QR Code: How Guest Photos Works](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-photo-sharing-qr-code?ref=llms-txt) — Wedding photo sharing by QR code: guests scan the QR on their table, pick their name and tap Share your photos. No app, no account. Here is how it works. (6 min read, published 2026-10-07)
- [How to Collect Wedding Photos From Guests (QR Code Guide)](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-to-collect-photos-from-wedding-guests?ref=llms-txt) — Collecting wedding photos from guests: five ways compared, how a wedding photo QR code works, where to put it, what the sign says, and privacy. (9 min read, published 2026-10-07)
- [Wedding Ceremony Seating Chart: Layouts and Who Sits Where](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-ceremony-seating?ref=llms-txt) — Who sits where at a wedding ceremony: sides, reserved rows for parents and grandparents, six seating layouts, chair and aisle spacing, and the flip to dinner. (9 min read, published 2026-10-07)
- [How to Number Tables at a Wedding (With Layout Examples)](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-to-number-wedding-tables?ref=llms-txt) — Where to start numbering wedding tables, five schemes with a diagram, numbers vs names, table 13, sign size, and keeping numbers the same on every list. (7 min read, published 2026-10-07)
- [Prismm Is Retiring: Move Your Venue Floor Plans by June 2027](https://seatplan.io/blog/prismm-retiring-move-venue-floor-plans?ref=llms-txt) — Prismm (formerly AllSeated) is moving into Cvent Event Diagramming. Key dates, what does not carry over, what to export now, and where to rebuild your rooms. (7 min read, published 2026-09-26)
- [Event Seating Styles: Banquet, Theatre, Classroom and More](https://seatplan.io/blog/event-seating-styles?ref=llms-txt) — Banquet, theatre, classroom, cabaret, crescent rounds, boardroom, U-shape and chevron seating, with diagrams, space per guest and capacities for a sample room. (11 min read, published 2026-09-26)
- [Your Event Temple Guest List, Already Seated](https://seatplan.io/blog/event-temple-integration?ref=llms-txt) — Connect Event Temple to SeatPlan.io, import booking guests, reuse venue templates, and keep seating plans current when you reopen an event. (5 min read, published 2026-09-05)
- [QR Seat Finders and Wallet Passes: A Guest Arrival Guide](https://seatplan.io/blog/qr-seat-finder-wallet-passes?ref=llms-txt) — Use a QR seat finder at the door and Apple or Google Wallet passes before your event. Set up guest lookups, privacy options, and a backup arrival plan. (6 min read, published 2026-09-05)
- [Donor Gala Seating: Table Captains, Donor Tiers, and the Ask](https://seatplan.io/blog/donor-gala-seating?ref=llms-txt) — Plan donor gala seating around table captains, donor relationships, and clear sightlines. Coordinate your committee and prepare practical event-night exports. (7 min read, published 2026-09-05)
- [AI Floor-Plan Import: Turn a Venue Plan Into a Seating Chart](https://seatplan.io/blog/ai-floor-plan-import-guide?ref=llms-txt) — Import a venue photo, screenshot, or PDF into an editable seating chart. Learn supported formats, AI import limits, DXF templates, and what to check before use. (6 min read, published 2026-09-05)
- [What Is a Seating Chart? (Definition, Chart vs Plan, When You Need One)](https://seatplan.io/blog/what-is-a-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — What a seating chart is, how it differs from a table plan or sitting plan, what belongs on one, and when you actually need assigned seats versus open seating. (8 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [How to Create a Seating Chart (6 Steps That Actually Stick)](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-to-create-a-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — How to create a seating chart for any event: clean the guest list, pick table count, sketch the room, seat constraints first, then fill and export. No spreadsheet chaos. (9 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Seating Arrangements Guide: Rounds vs Long Tables (+ Separation)](https://seatplan.io/blog/seating-arrangements?ref=llms-txt) — Compare round, long, and mixed seating arrangements for weddings and events, plus how to keep guests apart. Free chart maker included. (9 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [How Many Tables for 50, 75, 100, or 150 Guests?](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-many-tables-for-guests?ref=llms-txt) — How many tables you need by guest count: quick answers for 50, 75, 100, and 150 guests, rounds vs rectangular math, and the comfort-capacity formula planners actually use. (8 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Wedding Reception Table Layout: Floor Plans That Work on the Night](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-reception-table-layout?ref=llms-txt) — Wedding reception table layout playbook: anchor the dance floor and couple's table, classic rounds vs long and mixed plans, 100-guest layouts, spacing, and mistakes to avoid. (8 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Where Do Parents Sit at a Wedding Reception?](https://seatplan.io/blog/where-do-parents-sit-at-wedding?ref=llms-txt) — Where parents, grandparents, and close family sit at the reception: top table vs sweetheart layouts, divorced-parent options, and how to decide without drama. (8 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Drag and Drop Seating Chart: Why Visual Beats the Spreadsheet](https://seatplan.io/blog/drag-and-drop-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — What a drag-and-drop seating chart is, why it beats Excel for room layout, what features matter, and a simple workflow for weddings and table plans. (7 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Digital Seating Chart: Online Plans, Interactive Lookup & QR](https://seatplan.io/blog/digital-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — What a digital seating chart is, how interactive and QR find-your-seat flows work, why digital beats paper for changes, and how to make one online. (8 min read, published 2026-08-10)
- [Classroom Seating Arrangements: Rows, Pods, U-Shape & When to Use Each](https://seatplan.io/blog/classroom-seating-arrangements?ref=llms-txt) — Rows, pods, U-shape, stadium, and flexible layouts compared: what each classroom seating arrangement does to behaviour, participation, and sightlines, and how to pick one for your teaching style. (9 min read, published 2026-08-01)
- [Classroom Seating Chart Strategies That Reduce Disruption](https://seatplan.io/blog/classroom-seating-chart-strategies?ref=llms-txt) — Practical seating chart strategies for behaviour management: where to place talkers, how to use the action zone, when to rotate charts, and how to seat students with IEPs and 504 plans thoughtfully. (8 min read, published 2026-08-01)
- [Flexible Seating Classroom Layouts That Still Let You Run the Room](https://seatplan.io/blog/flexible-seating-classroom-layouts?ref=llms-txt) — How to do flexible seating without losing attendance, assessments, or substitute days: zoned layouts, anchor seats, choice with guardrails, and a printable fallback chart. (8 min read, published 2026-08-01)
- [Wedding Seating Chart Trends 2026: 5 Display Styles Couples Are Choosing](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-seating-chart-trends-2026?ref=llms-txt) — The 5 wedding seating chart display trends defining 2026 (boho fabric banners, minimalist plinth columns, fortune-cookie walls, Hollywood-glam marquee frames, and floral immersion), plus materials and real budget bands. (9 min read, published 2026-06-29)
- [Wedding Seating Chart vs Table Plan: What's the Difference](https://seatplan.io/blog/seating-chart-vs-table-plan?ref=llms-txt) — Seating chart vs table plan: they're the same document, just US vs UK wording. What each term means, the one layout difference, and how both relate to escort and place cards. (9 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [How to Make a Seating Chart for Free (No Signup)](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-to-make-seating-chart-free?ref=llms-txt) — Make a wedding or event seating chart for free with no signup. A 5-step guide using a free drag-and-drop seating chart maker: import guests, add tables, assign seats, export. Honest about what's free vs paid. (9 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Head Table vs Sweetheart Table: Which to Choose](https://seatplan.io/blog/head-table-vs-sweetheart-table?ref=llms-txt) — Head table or sweetheart table? Compare who sits where, space and layout needs, cost, and the trade-offs of each so you can pick the right reception seating for your guest count and venue. (10 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Round vs Long Tables for Weddings](https://seatplan.io/blog/round-vs-long-tables-wedding?ref=llms-txt) — Round vs rectangular wedding tables, compared: real seating capacities (60-inch round seats 8, 72-inch seats 10, 8-foot banquet seats 10), conversation flow, space efficiency, cost, aesthetics, venue fit, and when to mix both shapes. (11 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [How Many People Can Sit at a Round Table? (Every Size)](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-many-guests-round-table?ref=llms-txt) — How many people can sit at a 48, 60, 66, or 72-inch round table - plus 30 to 42-inch and metric sizes, the space-per-guest math, and how place settings, centerpieces, chair width, and meal style change the answer. (9 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Wedding Top Table Order Explained (With Diagram)](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-top-table-order?ref=llms-txt) — The traditional wedding top table seating order, seat by seat, with a labeled diagram: who sits where among the bride, groom, parents, best man, and maid of honor, plus modern, same-sex, blended-family, and sweetheart-table variations. (9 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Wedding Seating Chart Template (Free Download)](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-seating-chart-template?ref=llms-txt) — Free wedding seating chart template options compared: printable PDF, spreadsheet, and SeatPlan.io's interactive free designer. What a good template includes, plus a step-by-step on building your chart and exporting with Pro when you need a finished PDF. (9 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [How Far in Advance to Do Your Seating Chart](https://seatplan.io/blog/when-to-do-wedding-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — When to do your wedding seating chart, mapped backward from the wedding date: when to send invitations, when to set the RSVP deadline, the straggler buffer, and a week-by-week countdown to a finalized chart. (10 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Seating Chart vs Escort Cards vs Place Cards](https://seatplan.io/blog/escort-cards-vs-place-cards?ref=llms-txt) — Escort cards vs place cards vs the seating chart, explained clearly: which gets guests to the table, which gets them to the seat, when you need each, the etiquette, the cost, and how one seating plan drives all three. (10 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [How to Display Your Seating Chart at the Reception](https://seatplan.io/blog/seating-chart-display-ideas?ref=llms-txt) — Creative, practical seating chart display ideas for your reception: mirrors, acrylic, framed boards, signage, digital screens, and escort-card walls, plus readability and placement tips and how to export your finished chart to print. (11 min read, published 2026-05-24)
- [Corporate Event Seating Chart Guide: Galas, Conferences & Awards Nights](https://seatplan.io/blog/corporate-event-seating-guide?ref=llms-txt) — Corporate event seating is 80% managing change. How to handle sponsor +guests, last-minute reshuffles, dietary and accessibility at scale, and keeping catering, AV, and front-of-house on the latest chart. (12 min read, published 2026-04-17)
- [Outdoor and Garden Wedding Seating: What the Floor Plan Guides Don't Tell You](https://seatplan.io/blog/outdoor-garden-wedding-seating?ref=llms-txt) — What actually goes wrong with outdoor and garden wedding seating: sun glare at the ceremony hour, tables that wobble on grass, tent poles in the wrong place, escort cards in the hedge, and the rain plan you didn't sketch. (12 min read, published 2026-04-07)
- [How We Built Real-Time Collaboration into a Seating Chart Tool (And What We Learned)](https://seatplan.io/blog/real-time-collaboration-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — A technical but accessible look at building real-time collaboration for seating charts: how concurrent editing, automatic conflict resolution, and live sharing work under the hood, and why it matters for event professionals. (11 min read, published 2026-03-31)
- [How Our Wedding Inspired the Best Digital Seating Chart Maker (The Bride's Side)](https://seatplan.io/blog/our-wedding-inspired-seatplan?ref=llms-txt) — The bride's side of the SeatPlan.io story: how poster boards and sticky notes pushed us to the edge and how one drag-and-drop prototype saved our wedding seating chart in under an hour. (7 min read, published 2026-03-21)
- [Wedding Seating Chart for 150 Guests: Layouts, Tables, and What Gets Complicated at Scale](https://seatplan.io/blog/150-guest-wedding-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — The complete guide to seating charts for 150-guest weddings. Exact table configurations, multi-aisle traffic flow, dance floor placement strategies, head table visibility solutions, and section-based organization at scale. (16 min read, published 2026-03-11)
- [How I Built SeatPlan.io: The Seating Problem That Got Out of Hand](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-i-built-seatplan?ref=llms-txt) — The founder story behind SeatPlan.io: how six hours with sticky notes and a broken spreadsheet led to building a drag-and-drop seating chart tool used by thousands of couples and event professionals. (9 min read, published 2026-02-17)
- [Last-Minute Wedding Seating Changes: A Survival Guide](https://seatplan.io/blog/last-minute-wedding-seating-changes?ref=llms-txt) — Handle canceled RSVPs, breakups, surprise plus-ones, and family emergencies without panic. Practical strategies for reshuffling your wedding seating chart at the last minute. (10 min read, published 2026-02-15)
- [How to Create a Wedding Seating Chart for 50-75 Guests](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-seating-chart-50-75-guests?ref=llms-txt) — The complete guide to seating charts for intimate weddings of 50-75 guests. Exact table configurations, family-style vs round tables, layout tricks for small spaces, and strategies for when everyone knows everyone. (13 min read, published 2026-02-15)
- [The 100-Guest Wedding Seating Strategy: Layouts, Tables & Floor Plans](https://seatplan.io/blog/100-guest-wedding-seating-strategy?ref=llms-txt) — The complete seating strategy for 100-guest weddings. Learn how many tables you need, ideal floor plan layouts, head table configurations, and table numbering strategies. (14 min read, published 2026-02-15)
- [How to Handle Divorced Parents at Your Wedding Seating](https://seatplan.io/blog/divorced-parents-wedding-seating?ref=llms-txt) — Practical strategies for seating divorced parents at your wedding. Handle step-families, hostile dynamics, neutral buffer zones, and communication scripts with confidence. (12 min read, published 2026-02-15)
- [Wedding Seating Chart Mistakes That Cause Reception Drama](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-seating-chart-mistakes?ref=llms-txt) — Avoid the 8 most common wedding seating chart mistakes that ruin receptions. Real scenarios, prevention strategies, and damage control tips from an event planning expert. (11 min read, published 2026-02-15)
- [How to Create a Wedding Seating Chart: Complete 2026 Guide](https://seatplan.io/blog/how-to-create-wedding-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt) — Learn how to make a wedding seating chart in 7 simple steps. Includes free templates, etiquette tips, and expert advice for seating 50-300+ guests. (12 min read, published 2026-02-11)
- [Wedding Seating Etiquette: Who Sits Where (and Who Shouldn't)](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-seating-etiquette?ref=llms-txt) — Who sits where at a wedding, who should not share a table, and how to show the chart. Family seating etiquette for parents, divorced families, kids, and VIPs. (12 min read, published 2026-02-11)
- [Wedding Floor Plan Guide: Table Layouts That Actually Work (2026)](https://seatplan.io/blog/wedding-floor-plan-guide?ref=llms-txt) — Expert wedding floor plan strategies for any venue. Learn table spacing, traffic flow, and optimal layouts for 50-300+ guests with real examples and templates. (13 min read, published 2026-02-11)

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## Competitor Comparisons

Detailed comparison pages:

- [SeatPlan.io vs Plan Seats](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/planseats?ref=llms-txt) — Free online seating chart creator. Plan Seats provides a straightforward starting point for basic seating layouts. SeatPlan.io extends beyond visual design with integrated guest management, real-time collaboration, and professional exports - the complete workflow for event planning, not just the diagram.
- [SeatPlan.io vs PerfectTablePlan](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/perfecttableplan?ref=llms-txt) — Desktop seating software for Windows and Mac. PerfectTablePlan is established desktop software with comprehensive features and strong customer support. The trade-off is the desktop-only model: no cloud sync, no real-time collaboration, and paid upgrades for major versions. SeatPlan.io offers the flexibility of browser-based access with automatic updates and instant sharing.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Wedding Seating Chart Planner](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/seatingplannerapp?ref=llms-txt) — Mobile app for wedding seating. Mobile seating apps offer convenience for on-the-go access, but complex seating arrangements benefit from larger screens and precision controls. SeatPlan.io provides full desktop capability with browser-based mobile access - the best of both worlds without requiring app downloads for you or your clients.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Please Find Your Seat](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/pleasefindyourseat?ref=llms-txt) — QR code digital seating charts for weddings. Please Find Your Seat used to fill a gap SeatPlan.io didn't cover: guest-facing QR lookup. We've closed that gap - the same please-find-your-seat experience is now built in, with no 50-guest cap and no per-event fees. And SeatPlan.io goes further: email every guest their seat as an Apple or Google Wallet pass that updates itself when plans change. One tool covers both jobs: design the plan AND get every guest to the right seat. One subscription, one workflow, one source of truth.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Zola](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/zola?ref=llms-txt) — Wedding registry platform with seating tools. Zola is a wedding commerce platform where seating charts exist to keep couples engaged with their ecosystem. It works well if you're already using Zola for registry and invitations. For dedicated seating functionality with web access, professional collaboration, and flexibility across event types, purpose-built tools deliver more.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Canva](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/canva?ref=llms-txt) — Generic design tool with templates. Canva excels at graphic design - it's one of the best tools for creating invitations, social posts, and visual content. For seating charts, you're essentially using a design tool to do data management. SeatPlan.io handles guest lists, table assignments, and structured exports that Canva simply wasn't built for.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Tableplan.io](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/tableplanio?ref=llms-txt) — Online table planner for weddings and events. Tableplan.io is essentially a guest list organiser with table assignment - their own marketing admits you need a designer to create the final visual. SeatPlan.io is the design tool itself: scaled floor plans, visual layouts, and presentation-ready exports. Skip the middleman.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Seat Puzzle](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/seatpuzzle?ref=llms-txt) — iOS and Mac seating chart app. Seat Puzzle is a mature native app with a decade of development and a loyal Apple user base. The extensive item library and polish are genuine strengths. However, the Apple-only limitation creates real friction for professional planners working with diverse clients and venues. Browser-based tools simply reach further in a cross-platform world.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Planning.Wedding](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/planningwedding?ref=llms-txt) — Free wedding planning assistant with seating tools. Planning.Wedding offers a comprehensive wedding toolkit where seating charts sit alongside budgeting, RSVPs, and website builders. It's a solid choice for couples who want everything in one place. For professional planners who need dedicated seating tools with unlimited events and cross-industry flexibility, a focused solution delivers more depth where it matters.
- [SeatPlan.io vs SeatPlanning.com](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/seatplanning?ref=llms-txt) — Drag-and-drop seating chart builder. SeatPlanning.com is a clean, lightweight builder by two developers who hit the same wedding seating pain you have. For a small wedding under 5 tables, it's a fine choice. For larger events, multi-user planning, professional use across event types, or anyone who needs to stop hitting a table cap on the free tier, SeatPlan.io has more depth, more polish, and a real-time collaboration model SeatPlanning.com doesn't offer.
- [SeatPlan.io vs SmartDraw](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/smartdraw?ref=llms-txt) — Diagramming software with seating chart templates. SmartDraw is excellent for the diagramming work it was built for: flowcharts, org charts, network diagrams. Seating charts are a template, not a product. If you only ever make one seating chart and already pay for SmartDraw, the templates are fine. For anyone making seating charts more than once, a purpose-built tool with guest data, RSVP tracking, and catering exports does the job in a fraction of the time.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Planning Pod](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/planningpod?ref=llms-txt) — All-in-one event management software. Planning Pod is a credible all-in-one suite for venues running invoicing, proposals, and CRM in the same tool. The seating chart is a feature within that suite. SeatPlan.io is the opposite philosophy: do seating, do it well, pair it with whatever event-management stack you already use.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Simplify Tables](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/simplifytables?ref=llms-txt) — Mobile-first seating planner for weddings and events. Simplify Tables is a tidy mobile-first option that suits couples planning quick-and-simple seating from their phone. For larger events, multi-user collaboration, scaled venue layouts, or anyone who wants a proper desktop canvas, SeatPlan.io has more headroom.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Wedibox](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/wedibox?ref=llms-txt) — Free wedding seating chart maker. Wedibox is a free, friendly wedding-suite for couples who want seating alongside other wedding utilities in one place. SeatPlan.io takes the opposite approach: pure seating depth across any event type, with real-time collaboration and a professional planner tier Wedibox doesn't offer.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Prismm](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/prismm?ref=llms-txt) — Formerly AllSeated. Being retired into Cvent Event Diagramming. If your team runs on Cvent, Cvent Event Diagramming is the natural next step, and Cvent is already moving your events there. Either way, Prismm templates, favourites and groups have to be rebuilt, and Prismm access ends in June 2027. If you are rebuilding anyway, export your floor plans now and rebuild each room in SeatPlan.io, free and with no account. Event Manager then turns each room into a template you clone for every booking.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Social Tables](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/socialtables?ref=llms-txt) — Venue diagramming, now sold as Cvent Event Diagramming. Social Tables is a strong tool. It has 3D views, a large venue library and the rest of Cvent behind it, and a venue that already runs on Cvent has good reasons to stay. The catch is the contract: event caps below Premium, and a 12-month commitment on every paid plan. If you want each room drawn to scale and on your website for free, and every booking on one subscription you can pay month to month, SeatPlan.io does that without a sales call.
- [SeatPlan.io vs WeddingWire Seating Tool](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/weddingwire?ref=llms-txt) — Seating tool inside a wedding marketplace. WeddingWire is a wedding marketplace where the seating tool exists to keep couples in their ecosystem. It works fine if you're already booking vendors and a registry there. For dedicated seating depth, multi-event use, and professional planner workflows, a focused tool delivers more.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Eventdex](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/eventdex?ref=llms-txt) — Event management suite with gala seating software. Eventdex is a credible enterprise event-management suite where seating sits alongside registration, badges, and lead capture. Right tool for an agency running 50 corporate events a year. For anyone who needs the seating tool specifically — couples, planners, classrooms, fundraisers — a dedicated, transparently-priced product like SeatPlan.io is faster to onboard and cheaper to run.
- [SeatPlan.io vs MapD](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/mapdevents?ref=llms-txt) — Event seating chart software for tradeshows and galas. MapD is a credible enterprise tool for tradeshows and large galas where digital guest wayfinding matters. For the planning side specifically — designing the chart, managing guests, exporting for venues — a focused, self-serve tool like SeatPlan.io is faster and cheaper to operate without losing scaled-venue precision.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Seating Chart Maker](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/seatingchartmaker?ref=llms-txt) — Classroom-first seating chart app from Tremble Oy. Seating Chart Maker is a polished classroom tool with thoughtful teacher-specific features — randomization, student photos, sit-together rules, and a wheel-of-names — and a founder who ships fast. For classrooms that lean on those automations, it's a fair pick. For weddings, galas, corporate dinners, or anyone who wants to try the full designer free without a 7-day clock, a watermark, or a recurring subscription, SeatPlan.io is the better fit — built event-first, free to design, and with real-time collaboration that link-based sharing can't match.
- [SeatPlan.io vs RSVPify](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/rsvpify?ref=llms-txt) — End-to-end event RSVP and registration platform with a seating chart add-on. RSVPify is a credible all-in-one event platform — RSVP forms, ticketing, registration, check-in, and a seating chart bundled together. If you need the whole stack and seating is one feature you'll use, it earns its monthly cost. If you only need the seating chart, RSVPify makes you pay $24+/month for a feature SeatPlan.io gives you free, with real-time co-editing that RSVPify's RSVP-driven updates don't match. For a single wedding, SeatPlan.io is one payment instead of $144+ over a 6-month engagement, and pairs cleanly with any RSVP tool you already use.
- [SeatPlan.io vs Seating Chart Creator](https://seatplan.io/alternatives/seatingchartcreator?ref=llms-txt) — Free online seat planner for weddings and events. Seating Chart Creator is a free, browser-based seat planner positioned around weddings and events, and it's another reasonable entry in the free-tier seating tool space. The trade-offs are signup-gated access, an undocumented collaboration model, and a single-page architecture that hides pricing and features behind JavaScript. SeatPlan.io is the better fit if you want to try the full designer free with no account, see every pricing tier in plain HTML before deciding, work across event types beyond weddings, or use a documented CRDT-based real-time collaboration model — and pay once for a single wedding instead of subscribing.

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## User Reviews

Average rating: 4.8/5 from 12 reviews.

- "The collaboration feature is a game-changer. I could share the seating chart with my wedding planner and we both made updates in real-time. No more back-and-forth emails." — Rachel (5/5)
- "Being able to share a live link with family members saved so much time. Everyone could see the latest version without me having to send updated PDFs constantly." — David (5/5)
- "The drag-and-drop interface is so intuitive. I had my entire 120-person wedding seated in under 30 minutes. It would have taken me hours with spreadsheets." — Jennifer (5/5)
- "As a corporate event coordinator, I love how I can create templates for our standard venue layouts. It cuts my setup time in half for recurring events." — Mark (5/5)
- "The visual layout makes it so easy to see if tables are too close together or if we're missing accessibility considerations. It's like having a bird's-eye view of the room." — Emma (4/5)
- "I manage multiple events per month, and SeatPlan.io's template system means I can spin up a new seating chart in minutes instead of starting from scratch every time." — Ahmed (5/5)
- "Took me 6 hours to seat 80 people on paper. Took me 11 minutes on SeatPlan.io. The time savings alone made it worth it." — Sarah (5/5)
- "The ability to lock certain tables and areas in templates is brilliant. It ensures our venue's fixed elements stay in place while clients customize the rest." — Lucy (5/5)
- "I've used several seating chart tools, but SeatPlan.io strikes the perfect balance between powerful features and ease of use. My team actually enjoys using it." — Michelle (4/5)
- "Planning a 150-guest wedding felt overwhelming until I found SeatPlan.io. The visual interface made it feel manageable, and I could experiment with different layouts easily." — Priya (5/5)
- "200 guests. 8 dietary requirements. 4 wheelchair users. 1 complicated family tree. SeatPlan.io handled all of it seamlessly. The best tool I've used for complex events." — Rebecca (5/5)
- "I tried all the other services, none of them even come close." — Nicci (5/5)

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## Important Pages

- Homepage: https://seatplan.io/?ref=llms-txt
- Designer (free): https://seatplan.io/designer?ref=llms-txt
- Wedding Seating Chart: https://seatplan.io/wedding-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt
- Event Manager: https://seatplan.io/event-manager?ref=llms-txt
- Classroom Seating Chart Maker (Classroom plan for teachers): https://seatplan.io/classroom-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt
- AI Floor Plan Import (photo/PDF/CAD to chart, every plan): https://seatplan.io/ai-floor-plan-import?ref=llms-txt
- Guest Seat Notifications (email + auto-updating Apple/Google Wallet passes): https://seatplan.io/guest-seat-notifications?ref=llms-txt
- QR Code Seating Chart (guest seat finder): https://seatplan.io/qr-code-seating-chart?ref=llms-txt
- FAQ: https://seatplan.io/faq?ref=llms-txt
- Blog: https://seatplan.io/blog?ref=llms-txt
- Alternatives Hub: https://seatplan.io/alternatives?ref=llms-txt
- About: https://seatplan.io/about?ref=llms-txt
- Privacy Policy: https://seatplan.io/privacy?ref=llms-txt
- Terms of Service: https://seatplan.io/terms?ref=llms-txt
- Student Data Privacy (schools): https://seatplan.io/student-data-privacy?ref=llms-txt
- School Data Processing Agreement: https://seatplan.io/dpa?ref=llms-txt
- Accessibility Statement: https://seatplan.io/accessibility?ref=llms-txt

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## Contact

- Email: hi@seatplan.io
- Website: https://seatplan.io