Seating arrangments ... need help!

Okay, we are doing our seating arrangements and are a bit confused. I know you ladies know everything, so here goes ....

At the WM, the tables are number vertically and not horizontally, so Table 1 is next to Table 9 and not Table 3, Table 3 is vertical from Table 1. It's like this:

B and G Table
Table 9 Table 1 Table 2 Table 10
Table 11 Table 3 Table 4 Table 12
Table 13 Table 5 DF Table 6 Table 14
Table 15 Table 7 Table 8 Table 16

My question is what is the better table - the one next to Table 1, which is Table 9 or the one vertical to it, which is Table 3. I always thought that it was the one next to it, but the way this is numbered - it doesn't make it seem that way. Plus, my family is the typical Italian family that will be offended if I don't put them at the better table. Help me - it's been a huge question between my family and I and I need to get these squared away!

Thanks,
Cira

Cira-
you helped me so I'm going to try to help you! I think the very best thing to do is ask the banquet manager..they know the room the best and will tell you where to seat the family. I can't believe they didn't tell you already...also, my seating chart is a diagram...do you not have that? Cuz you can just look at the picture and see which table is closest. Just call and ask though..always the best option!!
:) JOY

Cira, have your hall send you a floor plan, I had my hall fax me a floor plan so I know how to seat people. THe numbers are just too confusing, once you can see it, it will make such a difference.

Happy planning

I have a floor plan and I did call the banquet manager.
The BM said that it's personal - the thing is that the lower numbers are closer to the dance floor and can see the B&G better, BUT the tables next to 1 and 4 are closer up to the bride and groom and you can see everything from there. I don't know which is better. I tried putting the columns in the message post - but it came out all together instead of spaced.
Ugh .... is anyone else's room set up this way - how did they handle it?

Thanks so much Shamma and Joy! You guys are great!

I guess it's kind of hard to tell without actually seeing it but from the way you have explained it I think Table 3 (they one closer to the dance floor) would be the better table. I don't know if this is how it works out but it seem like the other tabel would be more towards a corner of the room (if I'm understanding the set up correctly) and personally I never really like the tables in the corners.
To be on the safe side though you may just want to ask your parents which table they think would be best...mayby your family would want to be a bit further from the dance floor...I would leave it up to them.
Also, are you able to number the tables differently then how they have it set up...because if you think your family would be offended by a higher numbered table then maybe you could make your own table numbering. (Just make sure your BM is aware of this if you do so it doen't get confusing when they are trying to help people to their tables).
Best of luck to you

I think that is optional - and we thought our bridal party would have a better time with other close friends and cousins - so we split them up. And I decided that I wanted my mom, dad, grandma and grandpa, godparents, and close aunts/uncles at table #1.
I think you guys are right and the tables closer to the dance floors are better. But I have so much family - my dad has 6 brothers, 1 sister and my mom's brothers - plus really close friends and other family - that it is virtually impossible to put everyone at the table they expect to be at. My parents are in a confusion with this too - we've been trying to figure this out.
Ugh - thanks so much for your comments and opinions!
Shamma - they numbered our floor plan - and I'm surprised your's is blank. They are both Scotto places. I'm going to ask if I can do names instead (I actually wanted to do the years thing and decided not too, thinking it was more complicated) - I don't think they like that and when I asked the BM if I can re-order the numbers, he said that they don't prefer that and it could confuse things.

Good luck Cira, just remember you can't please everyone, and you are doing your best to take every guest into consideration, they will know that, and if any one is offended, don't worry.

I am also in a Scotto place, and they seem to be so organized with the whole guest list/seating thing. When I asked them about table names, they said they only use numbers and if I change it to names, it will be confusing for them. So, in order for everything to to run smoothly and the MD to plan, I am leaving the numbers.

I just called my hall and he said when I come in and sit down with him, we will go over the numbers together. I don't think they like the idea of table names I will have to see how I work this out, b/c I was making my place cards with table names. Cira from what they said it does not seem as if the #'s are set in stone. Call them and get it clarified.