Weddingbee boards

Assigned tables just tells them which table they are sitting at but they can sit next to whoever they want at that table, and assigned seating means you go through and have a specific seat for each person. 

Assigned tables is just that - you assign each person to a table but they can sit wherever they want at the table.  Assigned seating is also assigning which seat at the table. 

Assigned seating is good if you want to make sure certain people are sitting right next to each other such as boy girl or something.  Assigned tables gives people flexibility of not rushing to the reception and that latecomers won't get their parties separated.  Assigned gets harder for a large guest count.

We decided on assigned seats because our tables usually had a couple different groups of friends and since they didn't know one another and we knew all of them we tried to choose seating where two people sitting next to each other would have something to talk about.  It seemed to work well.

I think doing assigned tables or assigned seating depends on your dinner style, group size as well as who is invited.  If you had people choose their entree on their rsvp, then you would need to do assigned seating to indicate to your caterers who ordered what and where they are sitting.  If you are doing buffet or everyone is getting the same meal, then assigned tables would be fine.  Like others have said, assigned seating is more difficult for larger partices, but with 40 people it wouldn't be too bad.  Assigned seating is also helpful if you want to avoid family problems by sitting certain people next to or far away from certain other people.