Working in two tabs or on two devices
Updated
In short
You can open a wedding in several tabs or on several devices. Only one copy can edit at a time; the others are view-only and refresh about every 20 seconds. To edit somewhere else, click Request edit and hand over, or close the editing tab. An older copy can never overwrite newer changes.
It’s fine to have your wedding open on your laptop and your phone, or in two browser tabs. Lovely Seating makes sure only one of them can make changes at a time, and that an older copy can never undo newer work.
What you’ll see
Each tab counts as a separate visitor. When you open a second one, a bar appears under the top bar showing your initials twice. One copy is editing and the other says [Your name] is editing. The second copy is view-only for now.
If you try to change something there, you’ll see: Someone else is editing right now — tap “Request edit” to make changes. That “someone” is your other tab.
Switch which copy edits
- 1
Click Request edit where you want to work
It’s in the bar of the view-only tab or device. - 2
Hand over in the other copy
Go to the tab that’s editing. It shows [Your name] wants to edit. Click Hand over editing. - 3
Carry on
Any unsaved change is saved first. Then the new copy loads the latest version and says You’re editing.
Even simpler: close the tab that’s editing, or leave the wedding there. Editing passes automatically to the copy that’s still open. If you’re the wedding’s owner, you can also click Take control in the view-only copy.
Keeping the view-only copy up to date
A view-only copy checks for changes about every 20 seconds, and again whenever you switch back to it. So when you pick up your phone after working on your laptop, it catches up by itself.
The safety net: old copies can’t overwrite
Every save checks that it’s building on the latest version. If it isn’t, for example because a laptop woke up from sleep with an old copy, the save is refused. Instead you’ll see:
“This wedding was just changed somewhere else”
You might also see this if you rename or archive the wedding from the dashboard in another tab while it’s open.
Tips for a smooth day
- Close tabs you’re not using. It keeps editing where you expect it.
- Wait for All changes saved before switching devices. See how autosave works.
- Planning with someone else? The same rules apply between people. See one editor at a time.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I edit on my phone when my laptop is open?
Only one copy of a wedding edits at a time, and your laptop has it. Tap Request edit on your phone and hand over on the laptop, or close the wedding on the laptop.
Will my phone and laptop show the same plan?
Yes. Everything saves to your account. A view-only copy refreshes about every 20 seconds and whenever you return to it.
I got a message that the wedding changed somewhere else. Did I lose work?
No. Your newest saved work is safe. Lovely Seating loaded the latest version instead of overwriting it, so just redo the last change you made.
Was this article helpful?
Related articles
- Using Lovely Seating on a phone or tabletLovely Seating works in your phone's browser, with no app to install. Here's how the phone layout differs and how to seat guests by touch.
- Version history and restoreRoll your whole wedding back to an earlier snapshot. Snapshots save automatically as you work, and you can restore any of the last 25.
- Undo and redoStep back through your recent changes with the Undo and Redo buttons or keyboard shortcuts, and learn when the undo history resets.
- Delete a wedding or seating plan, and undo itHow to delete or archive a wedding, delete one seating plan, and get it back with Undo, Restore or version history.
Haven’t started yet?
Build your whole seating plan free — no credit card needed.
Start your seating chart free