Weddingbee boards

I'm having a semi-casual reception at a cottage on a lake. We're having a buffet dinner. I originally wanted to get linen-like napkins and fold silverware into them to sit at each place setting, but the linen-like napkins are super expensive and we're trying to cut costs. But we're also planning to skip favors in order to keep costs low and put that money into really good food!

But what will be on the tables? We have long, gorgeous picnic tables. We're skipping linens because the tables are so beautiful and fit right in with the feel of our wedding. But it seems like all that will be on the tables are the centerpieces (three mason jars with votives, and ribbon tied around them).

I wasn't planning to assign specific seats, but maybe I should and do cute place cards? Which would eliminate the question of where to put them, since we're already tight on room in the building?

Any suggestions? Does it matter if there isn't much on the tables when people walk in?

That's all you need I think.

All I am doing is a pink vintage looking vase with a couple gerbera daisies and  a brown ribbon tied around it that says we tied the knot, it's almost a coke bottle shape but bigger with 3 votive candles around it on a square peice of brown linen that i got on sale at walmart that i cut, and to add more because it seemed so plain I am making 1 vintage menu for each centerpeice. It adds a little more and it's nice to see what your eating before the line opens up for the buffet. Saves money on not using something for each person when you only need one per table.

Just some ideas :-)

Yeah, the menu sounds like a good idea. Maybe I'll take that on.