There is nothing worse than attending the wedding of a friend or family member only to be stuck sitting next to a distance relative you barely know for hours at the accompanying meal.

This is why, in the opinion of one bride-to-be, it is essential for couples to sit down and work out a table plan ahead of their big day.

Writing for the Daily Mail, Kitty Dimbleby, who is due to marry in a few weeks, explained that the seating plan can make or break the affair for people.

"We've all been there - wedding or dinner party - where the thought of two hours of small talk with the person next to you causes even the most social of hearts to sink," she said.

Although Ms Dimbleby appreciates that it is virtually impossible to please everybody, some time and thought put in by the happy couple could make the occasion much more enjoyable for guests.

Early this month, she told the same news provider about the trouble she had selecting which hymns to sing at her impending wedding service.