http://boards.weddingbee.com/ Weddingbee Boards Topic: Seating Charts, Yes or No? en Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:09:07 +0000 http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104923 Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:58:17 +0000 Tanya123 104923@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>Wow, I think there are three people who said they always go to weddings without seating.&nbsp; That is a surprise.&nbsp; I've only been to one wedding that didn't have assigned seating.&nbsp; That wasn't fun because my parents and Fh had to &quot;make&quot; a table in the corner.&nbsp; </p> <p>The only way I'd suggest to not have assigned tables/seating is:</p> <p>&nbsp;1. if it's very common for your family.</p> <p>2. If you reception really has no organized dinner (sit down or buffet).</p> <p>Otherwise, the other posts about school lunchroom are so true.&nbsp; The wedding Imentioned that didn't have assigned seating...exactly how I felt, all through the ceremony even.&nbsp; And it happened, we ended up being the last ones in and got a cruddy spot.</p> <p>While people might move their seats anyway, I think if your tables are appropriately filled, it would be difficult for this to happen too much.&nbsp; And if people are going to complain about seating them with people they don't know, if you don't assign seats those same people will compalin when they don't get a seat because they are all taken.</p> <p>For the most part not assigning tables is a disaster, IMO.&nbsp; I would definitely hate to attend another wedding without it.</p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104224 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:11:40 +0000 Janna19 104224@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>Yes, assign tables! If you spend the time to make sure your guests sit with the people they know (and often want to catch up with), then your guests don't have to rush to grab tables or end up findings seats with people they don't know.&nbsp; I found it quite easy and I personally believe its the considerate thing to do! </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104223 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:06:47 +0000 NYAmber 104223@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>No matter what you do, people will do what they want to.&nbsp; I assigned tables, but not seats and I still had people sitting where they decided that they wanted to... Including moving place settings.&nbsp; I also had 4 people who were all seated at the same table simply not show up...frustrations abound.&nbsp; I must say though that I went to my husbands christmas party where no seats or tables were assigned.&nbsp; We ended up with a much older couple at our table who didn't talk and no one really talked to because no one really knew them.&nbsp; Seems like a good idea to assign tables. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104137 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:27:26 +0000 avdillard0110 104137@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I've never been to a wedding where seats were assigned. I like the idea of letting people mix and mingle with each other, whether it be with new people or with old friends, but of their choosing. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104135 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:23:56 +0000 Miss Bliss 104135@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>I would say do assign tables but not seats.&nbsp; This way, you KNOW everyone has a seat!&nbsp; I went to a wedding this past summer, and my FI and I were made to split up because there were not two seats left together.&nbsp; Now i know the chances of that happening are slim, but it was at a friends wedding, and it wasn't very fun for my FI because he really didn't know anyone there.&nbsp; Another thing is that you will for sure know that everyone has a seat and gets seated atleast with someone that they know.&nbsp; Yes, people can deal with sitting with people they don't know, but they do have something in common-THE BRIDE AND GROOM! </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-104131 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:18:35 +0000 shaver2b 104131@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>We won't have assigned seating. Since we're not having a full dinner, no one needs to sit for long. Also, the vast majority of our guests all know each other through our church so encouraging mingling isn't too much of a worry. We will have a few &quot;Reserved&quot; tables for the bridal party and our families near the dance floor so they'll have a good view come time for the first dance and the toasts. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-103672 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:18:27 +0000 DCKate 103672@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>Yes yes yes do assigned seating!!! Not specific seats, necessarily, but at least specific tables. We've been to two weddings in the past few years with no assigned seats/tables and both times there ended up being awkward matches of people at tables and random empty seats. I say assign tables, and do it with care - seat people together who know each other or have a common interest. </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-103667 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:04:21 +0000 wubz 103667@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>From my personal experience of not having a seating chart I am glad I did not have one. This lets people sit where and with who they want to. And they cannont complain later when they said they sat with people they did not know or like. It made it alot easier for me because I was inviting some people from my work who could all fit at one table but, two of the girls don't get along so it was easier to let her decide whether or not she sat with them. I think if you are doing&nbsp;2 different meals it is easier if you do a seating chart and not worry about everyone getting the correct meal. Good luck </p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-103663 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:52:04 +0000 corn 103663@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>As a former event planner, I should advise you that if you do decide not to assign tables, you will need to provide extra seating.</p> <p>Think about ANY time you hhave ever sat in a theater.&nbsp; People tend to not sit next to each other and leave just one seat in between.&nbsp; If you apply that same theory to your seating at your wedding, you can see how frustrating it will be for latecomers to have to split up in order to get a seat.&nbsp; </p> <p>This goes for sit down and buffet.</p> http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/seating-charts-yes-or-no#post-103660 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:38:01 +0000 ChrissyM 103660@http://boards.weddingbee.com/ <p>Almost every wedding I've ever been to has had assigned tables, with guests free to choose their own seats at their table, and I think that as long as you put some thought into who will enjoy sitting with whom, that's the best way to go. I've only been to one wedding without assigned tables, and I found that it was really chaotic... everyone spent the first 15-20 mins of the reception wandering around, trying to figure out where they were supposed to sit, and some people ended up not getting to sit with their friends/family because they didn't snag a seat quickly enough. </p> <p>Of course, I guess it also depends on what the norm is in your area and in your family/group of friends. At the wedding I mentioned above, most of the guests were like me and had never been to a wedding with open seating before, hence all the confusion when it was time to sit down for dinner. If your guests are used to it, they may not mind it at all. </p>