Keep friend groups together without splitting couples
A couple who must share a table is a hard constraint. A friend group that would like to share a table is a wish. When both cannot fit the confirmed capacity, the wish gives way unless you change the capacity or the party list.
The wish fits
| Table | Capacity | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| Friends | 8 | Alex, Jordan, F1, F2, F3, F4, S1, S2 |
Synthetic. The couple is a hard party. Sitting with friends is a wish that happens to fit.
The wish does not fit
| Table | Capacity | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| Friends | 8 | Alex, Jordan, F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 |
| Overflow | 8 | F6, F7 |
Synthetic tradeoff. Keeping Alex with Jordan uses two of the eight seats, so the friend group of eight cannot all share that table. The friend group is a wish, not a hard party.
What to change if you want the whole group together
Add a confirmed seat, split the friend wish across two tables, or decide the partner does not have to sit there. Do not silently drop the couple's party.
Fictional checked example, not a customer wedding and not a live Seat Everyone solver result.
About 10 minutes. Software, not a waitlist — your chart tonight.