Speech order and table arrangements

Personally I wouldn't have speeches after the starter as it just breaks up the meal when people are chatting and eating. I would personally go for before meal if you are worried about nerves, that's what I'm doing but it depends on your day and what you would all prefer. As for groupings at tables, it depends entirely on who is coming. If you have natural groups who enjoy being together it makes sense to group them that way, then they will enjoy their day. But if the groups are quite easy going and don't mind, you could seat all aunts/uncles together and so on. I would end up with someone on a table with no-one they know if I did that, so am having natural groups. Not sure any of that really helps, sorry.

We had ours after the meal but I have been to weddings where they did them before and that was fine. It meant the groom/best man/FOB could enjoy their dinner without the nerves of waiting to do their speeches.

We found it quite easy to group our friends and family, where there were odd people we tried to put them with people of similar ages or with something in common. It's also only a few hours so no one will really mind.

Hello date twin!

We are having ours before the meal sot he men can relax and enjoy the food! x

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If you have speeches before the meal just be mindful of the time, often weddings run late and sometimes speeches drag which means the meal your caterers have prepared for you to be ready at xx time is sitting around waiting to be served (spoiling) so maybe try to be flexible on the day if you are running late.