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I kind of think that the expectation of a "cocktail reception" is that people will be standing. Yes, you should have some seating options for elderly guests and such, but I don't think people are expecting a sit-down cocktail reception.
I don't know what your venue is like, but I went to a cocktail reception where they had set up a few "living room" sets--1-2 couches and a few arm chairs/ottomans in addition to high tables. It wasn't enough for everyone, but it made the room look great and provided seating to those who needed it. You can also add more chairs around the perimeter when the tables are removed because people DO get tired dancing!
I would maximize the seating. If people have nowhere to sit down, women in heels are unlikely to stay very long. Also, people tend to leave their purses, etc. where they were last sitting, which may mean that even elderly guests will have nowhere to sit.
I just have to say I really dislike tall tables. I'm 5'5, average height--lots of women shorter than me though and I HATE having to sit on a stool in a nice dress. Do your best to have as many reg. tables as possible is my advice. If you don't have enough room for reg. tables and chairs, maybe put tall tables and stools around three of the four walls.
you defintaly need some seating, perhaps a few lounge areas with cushy chairs/loveseat type things and perhaps a few tall tables with barstools...is there a coatroom where ladies can put their purses etc?
I think you should maximize your seating AND have cocktail tables along the perimeter just in case.
Thank you for your input! It looks like the voters are as divided about this as I am :(
I didn't think to try to rent stools with the cocktail tables - that would definitely give us at least a few more seats, so I will try to find some! I know it's not ideal, but if I were a guest I'd rather have that option than no option.
We had about 10 more "no" responses today from our waiting-to-hear list, so we're holding steady at 130!
I think the important thing is to know your crowd. Will you be having a lot of older folk who will want to find a seat and park it all night? Is it a younger crowd that will be up dancing and having a good time? A mix of both? We are doing a Heavy Hors d'ouerves cocktail reception with seating for only about 1/2. The thing is I know most all the people will be up dancing and rarely sit except to eat, but even then not everyone will eat at the same time. I've had a lot of people tell me I'm crazy but I'm not worried. The last wedding I went to was the exact same, 200 people, heavy hors d'ouevres style and only seating for 100. Honesty it looked like there were too many seats! Everyone was either up getting more food, getting more drinks, dancing, or trying to mingle, but that wedding like mine maybe will have a handful of people over the age of 50 and even those folks will be up having a good time!
I know I'd be upset if I didn't get to sit. I would definetly have as much seating as possible.
I'm a little concerned about what your invitations might have said. If you weren't sure between dinner and a cocktail reception, what did the invitations tell people about the reception? If nothing was said, people might not realize it's not a sit down with a meal kind of event.
I agree that people need somewhere to sit but if you overcrowd the room then people may get stuck seated. My vote was to provide a mixture of tall tables and regular tables. I would use a ratio for 50-60% for regular tables and mix in tall tables as needed.
Do not overcrowd the room. Seriously. I know it theory it sounds terrible to say there aren't enough seats for everyone, but really with a cocktail style reception not everyone will be sitting at the exact same time. At some point in the reception everyone will have sat down at one point but you do not need seats for everyone for the entire time.
@MrsPinkPeony: The majority of people who are attending are under 50 and there are big groups that know each other, so my guess is they'll all be mingling / catching up. Almost everyone who is attending (aside from our grandparents who will likely leave very early) will surely be dancing!
@Encore: The invites simply said "Reception to begin at 7:00 pm". Our bridal party, friends and parents have all been great about making sure people know that there will not be a seated, served meal. Apparently so far no one was expecting one, which is a relief! Cocktail type receptions are fairly popular in this area / group, so I don't think it will be a big shock to anyone.
I think I agree with smith2be and Miss Riley that it will be best not to overcrowd the room... and I am *hoping* that june42011 is right and that most people won't be bothered because they'll be too busy having fun!
People will definitely want to sit. However, it's unlikely everyone will want to sit at once. Do as many sit down tables as you can and have some standing tables too.
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Bees, I SO need your help!!
Our reception venue holds a max of 100 people seated for a served meal, 200 max for a stand-up, cocktail-type reception.
We invited everyone we wanted to rather than restrict our invite list to ensure we had no more than 100 people, knowing that it was possible more than 100 would attend, and decided if that happened we'd go with the "cocktail reception" instead of the served meal.
We're still awaiting quite a few RSVPs, but we're already at 130! I think it's safe to assume we'll have at least 160 people. We're both so thrilled (and flattered!) that so many people are making the trip to be with us.
I will admit that I am a bit of a worrier. I really, really want people to enjoy themselves. I want to do everything we can (afford!) to make sure everyone has a good time and that they enjoy themselves.
So here's the problem: I really don't like the idea of people not being able to sit down! But what do we do? Would it be better to squeeze as many tables and chairs into the room as possible, so as many people as possible can sit down? We'd probably be able to fit enough for 110 people, but the room would be quite crowded.
Or do we put in some tables and chairs (maybe enough for 60 - 75) and rent tall tables for people to lay drinks and stand around at the outer part of the room?
Or should we just go with tall tables and only have chairs around the outer part of the room?
I'm so torn and would really love some feedback. If it helps to know, the food will all have to be "finger food" (ie. no cutlery required), there will be a few speeches and then the traditional dances, one "game" (no bouquet toss or anything), then the party will start (so most tables, if any, will be taken out to make room for dancing!). The reception starts at 7 pm, and for those who will stay all night, it'll go 'til 1 am.
Thanks in advance Bees. You're the best :)