How to Add Event Seating Plan Using Seat Plan Addon

Thinking about an event seating plan for your event website?

The planning of an event may be pretty exciting. Still, when it comes to event planning seating arrangements, it may be quite a headache for you.

Be it a conference, a wedding, a concert, or any large gathering, an effective seating plan can make all the difference. If you are using the Event Manager plugin in WordPress, adding a seating plan becomes easy.

This incredible tool will let you create interactive and custom seating arrangements for a smoother experience for you and your attendees.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to add event seating plan using Seat Plan Addon.

But before jumping into the guide, let’s find out about the seating plan for an event.

How Do You Plan a Seating Arrangement?

Planning a seating arrangement starts with understanding your event space’s layout and the type of seating required. For example, is this a conference where the audience needs to have a line of sight to the front, or is it a loose networking event? 

Here are the steps to plan a seating arrangement:

Understand the Event Type: Know whether the event is formal, casual, or a mix of both.

Assess the Venue: Take measurements of the space and note the location of exits, entrances, and key focal points, such as stages or screens.

Consider Attendee Needs: Think about special accommodations like VIP seating, disabled access, or group seating.

Maximize Space: Make efficient use of space to avoid overcrowding, allowing enough room for easy movement and comfort.

How to Add Event Seating Plan Using Seat Plan Addon? 

The Seat Plan Addon for Event Manager allows you to create and manage seating with ease.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Install the Seat Plan Addon: First, ensure you have the Event Manager and Ticket Selling plugin installed and activated on your WordPress site. Then, install the Seat Plan Addon by MagePeople.

Navigate to your WordPress dashboard and click Plugins -> Add New Plugin

Search “WpEvently” and click Install Now.

You can find the complete setup of WpEvently from how to use WooCommerce for Event Registration.

Once you have successfully set up WpEvently, it’s time to install the seat plan addon.

Visit the MagePeople site and look for the Seat plan Addon for Event Manager

Purchase the addon and navigate to your WordPress dashboard.

Click Add New Plugins and Upload the zip file of the addon.

Click Install Now and activate the addon.

Create Event: After logging into the WordPress Dashboard, go to Event Manager Add New Event.

To learn more about creating a new event, check out the Design event page with WordPress Event Plugin.

Navigate to Events -> All Events and choose an Event.

Now open Ticket & Pricing and start creating Ticket type with ticket name, price, capacity, sale end time and date.

Add more ticket types by clicking Add New Ticket Type.

Set up the Seating Layout: Having created your event, click on it to take it to the seating plan section. This is where you upload or design your seating map.

Under Events Seat Panel Settings, you can derive the color for each ticket type or you can upload an image.

Once you have set colors for seat types, it’s time to design or import a seat plan.

Open the Seat plan tab and start designing the seat plan.

Customize Your Plan: Customize the seating layout by defining different sections, rows, and seat numbers. You can even color-code specific areas or create sections for VIP, general admission, etc.

Assign Seats and Prices: You can assign seats using their respective pricing options. For example, front-row seats could be priced higher, while back-row seats might be cheaper.

Activate Interactive Features: Allow those booked to choose seats directly off the seat plan. Changes will automatically make adjustments accordingly. 

You can also customize the seat plan from global settings.

Simply go to Events tab and select Seat Plan tab and start defining colors and images.

Save and Publish: Once satisfied that it meets their seating requirements, save all edits and go live with one’s seating plan online for that specific event.

Book a Seat: Go to the event booking page and select the event you have configured the seats for.

Now select a seat from the seat type and click register for this event.

Once the seat is booked, you can check the booking of your attendee from the backend as an admin.

If you are using WpEvently pro then the attendee list will appear on the Event tab below.

What is the proper seating arrangement?

The “right” seating arrangement does indeed vary based on the type of event you will be hosting. That said, here are some general guidelines on seating:

Formal Events: Conferences and other business events are best in a classroom-style seating arrangement with guests facing the speaker or stage.

Casual Events: If you are hosting a networking event, a round table or theatre-style seating may be better for your audience.

Weddings or Banquets: A banquet-style seating arrangement with long rows or circular tables encourages socializing and a sense of community.

Theatre or Concerts: For performances, rows of seats facing the stage are ideal, ensuring everyone has a good view.

What Are the Best Seats on a Plan?

The best seats often depend on the layout of the venue and the purpose of the event. However, certain areas are generally considered prime seating:

Front and Center Seats: For most events, front-row seats or those directly in front of the stage are usually the best for seeing what’s happening on the stage most clearly. In addition, VIP sections are usually reserved for special guests or sponsors. They may have added benefits, such as exclusive services or better views. Middle Seats: In larger venues, middle seats that are centrally located may offer an equally good view without being too close or too far.

How Do I Choose a Seating Plan?

The type of event and the specific needs of your guests will determine which seating plan to choose. Here are some tips:

Consider the Event Type: For formal events, structured seating arrangements, such as rows or classroom styles, work best. For social events, flexible seating arrangements, such as round tables or lounges, encourage mingling.

Accessibility: Make sure there is sufficient seating for attendees who may have problems standing, and make that seating highly accessible.

Budget: Seating arrangements should be made considering your budget, so consider those seating options that provide maximum use of the venue while saving as much as possible.

Aesthetics and Comfort: Comfortable seating can make all the difference in comfort, so a seating arrangement must be chosen that serves the dual purpose of comfort and functionality.

Wrapping Up

Using the Seat Plan Addon for Event Manager is an excellent way to streamline the seating process and improve your attendees’ overall experience. With customizable layouts, interactive seat selection, and the ability to manage pricing and availability, this tool is a game-changer for event organizers.

This guide will walk you through how you can create an efficient and user-friendly event seating plan. Set up your seating arrangement with consideration for attendee needs, event type, and venue specifics in mind.

If you’re ready to get started, simply install the Seat Plan Addon and begin crafting your ideal event seating plan today!