Things used to be so simple but times have changed and so have families and formalities. It’s not unusual for the modern family to include step-parents or single parents. If you’re planning a traditional top table at your wedding reception you need to accommodate all your loved ones without ruffling feathers.

The accepted receiving order is:

• Bride’s Mother
• Groom’s Father
• Groom’s Mother
• Bride’s Father
• Bride
• Groom
• Chief Bridesmaid
• Best Man

If step-parents are involved, those hosting the wedding should be first and it should be possible to work out an order that keeps everyone smiling. If it’s going to be too complicated, or you just don’t fancy it, the two of you could greet your guests alone, or let them all in at once, stick a drink in their hands and greet everyone by circulating instead.

The accepted top-table seating plan is:

• Chief Bridesmaid
• Groom’s Father
• Bride’s Mother
• Groom
• Bride
• Bride’s Father
• Groom’s Mother
• Best Man

If either set of parents is divorced and has a new partner you’ll have to extend the line.

• Groom’s Step-Mother
• Bride’s Step-Father
• Chief Bridesmaid
• Groom’s Father
• Bride’s Mother
• Groom
• Bride
• Bride’s Father
• Groom’s Mother
• Best Man
• Bride’s Step-Mother
• Groom’s Step-Father

Of course, step-parents who prefer not to sit at the top table should be accommodated elsewhere. If the bride’s step-father (or other relative) rather than her father is giving her away and hosting the wedding, then he, not her natural father, should sit by her side.