Call me crazy, but I'm not keen on having tables at all. Our reception is going to be small and informal-- we are not serving a meal or having dancing. We're also nixing a recieving line at the ceremony, so I'd like to be able to mingle and talk with everyone at the reception.
However, FI and I both have very frail older relatives (and friends who like to wear spiky heels, yikes) who would not appreciate standing up for an extended period of time. I can't decide what to do-- give everyone seats and lose our informal atmosphere? Add only a few seats and make the people who can't find seats angry? What's the protocol for an appetizer, cake, and punch reception?
i think you should have seats for everyone but arrange it in such a way that it's more casual. perhaps you could have shorter tables with chairs and taller tables without chairs? if it's not super matchy matchy, i think it will look less formal.
as a guest, i would definitely appreciate having a chair to sit in or at laest a table to put my food on. it's difficult trying to carry a drink in one hand, a piece of cake in the other, along with my handbag, my pashmina, and whatever else i might have to carry.
I agree with emileee, you don't need to assign seats obviously, and just having chairs for people won't make it too formal. Just accommodating. Especially for the older folks, if there was no seat provided for me to grab a quick snack, I might take it as a sign that you don't want people staying too long. And you said you want people to mingle, so don't kick them out :-) I bet everyone will be walking around mingling anyway! Maybe have smaller tables with 2-4 chairs at each. Make it look more like a cocktail hour.
What does the reception area look like? Can you do some intimate seatings of just a few chairs scattered throughout? Some with some tables and some without? Also throw in the taller tables without chairs? Centerpieces can keep the tables cohesive but the variations will help keep the casual atmosphere you are wanting.
Call me crazy, but I'm not keen on having tables at all. Our reception is going to be small and informal-- we are not serving a meal or having dancing. We're also nixing a recieving line at the ceremony, so I'd like to be able to mingle and talk with everyone at the reception.
However, FI and I both have very frail older relatives (and friends who like to wear spiky heels, yikes) who would not appreciate standing up for an extended period of time. I can't decide what to do-- give everyone seats and lose our informal atmosphere? Add only a few seats and make the people who can't find seats angry? What's the protocol for an appetizer, cake, and punch reception?
Does anyone have any creative ideas for me?
posted by ladyjane 14 posts 6 months agoi think you should have seats for everyone but arrange it in such a way that it's more casual. perhaps you could have shorter tables with chairs and taller tables without chairs? if it's not super matchy matchy, i think it will look less formal.
as a guest, i would definitely appreciate having a chair to sit in or at laest a table to put my food on. it's difficult trying to carry a drink in one hand, a piece of cake in the other, along with my handbag, my pashmina, and whatever else i might have to carry.
hope that helps!
posted by emileee 123 posts 6 months agoI agree with emileee, you don't need to assign seats obviously, and just having chairs for people won't make it too formal. Just accommodating. Especially for the older folks, if there was no seat provided for me to grab a quick snack, I might take it as a sign that you don't want people staying too long. And you said you want people to mingle, so don't kick them out :-) I bet everyone will be walking around mingling anyway! Maybe have smaller tables with 2-4 chairs at each. Make it look more like a cocktail hour.
posted by LeahB 342 posts 6 months agoWhat does the reception area look like? Can you do some intimate seatings of just a few chairs scattered throughout? Some with some tables and some without? Also throw in the taller tables without chairs? Centerpieces can keep the tables cohesive but the variations will help keep the casual atmosphere you are wanting.
posted by nickyt 42 posts 6 months agoMaybe some tall cocktail tables sans chairs for the guests who want to rest food/drinks and a lounge area or three?
posted by ErinMarieMack 263 posts 6 months ago