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Are you having a buffet or sit down dinner? If you're having the meal served, I'd say assigned seating would make it so much easier, a buffet. . . you're just kinda risking any stragglers you have feeling out of place, but it all depends on the people and how much room you have. Like if you have just enough seats then you probably want to do assigned because otherwise you'll have these random pairings and couples will end up not being able to sit together or friends as the tables get filled up.
For taht many people, I say yes. People will end up all over your ballroom, and it's easier to just group the people together so nobody gets left out or there's not a "mad dash" to get the best seats or savies for so-and soo
For that large of a guest list, I would at least assign tables. As a guest, I wouldn't want to end up the only friend at a table full of older family members, or some other equally awkward pairing.
I think one of the best ways to get the best of both worlds is to assign tables, but not seats. This helps keep the people together that you think would get along, and helps prevent a friend that nobody but you knows, sitting in the middle of extended family, that would be awkward! Instead assign that friend to a table with other friends of the same age.
IMHO assigned seating is too cumbersome and too much of a pain, but escort cards (assigned tables) is the way to go. Plus there are sooo many cute way to display escort cards :)
I having approx 55 guests and right now (it could change!) I'm planning on doing assigned tables! I have a long time to change my mind - LOL!
At least assign tables, especially for such a large crowd. Assigned seatign isn't necessary, but most wedding receptions I've been to without any table assignments are pretty chaotic.
I'd say assign people too. I always enjoy being placed with people I know and those that I don't know and getting to know them. Then again I'm the girl that would strike up a convo with ANYONE. But I think its best to mix it up a little bit. So it doesn't end up being your guests on one side and his on the other. The assigned seating isn't necessary, in my opinion, I think it would stress ya out more.
I opted for a free for all. I'd make sure to reserve tables for the family, but after that with the laid-back style and buffet meal, I'd let people chose their own seats. That's what I did and I had several compliments from some co-workers that didn't know anyone else there that they had such a good time talking to so-in-so that was either a family member or friend that they had conversations with at their table.
We also wanted a reception that wasn't overly formal, went with assigning tables but not seats, and it worked out great. There are so many interesting things you can do with the seating cards too to incorporate them into your decorations. We used sand dollars and I've seen them in people's houses we've been to since the wedding. :)
If I were at a wedding with a bunch of cowboys, especially if I didn't know many people well, I would waaaaaaay rather have an assigned table. It would be super intimidating for me to have to find a seat among people so different from myself (esp if they're the group of brawny riled up men the term 'cowboys' brings to my mind - a bunch of line backers in flannel slapping each other on the back. oh god am I prejudiced!?), whereas if I have at least an assigned table 1) I'll know where to go, 2) I'll have a better chance of chatting with SOMEONE at the table, rather than NO ONE at all, and 3) I'll trust that I'm seated with people who you think I'll get along with, knowing that you took the time to do it. It would mean a LOT to me as a guest, since I'm an introvert!
Ok. I have to change my vote. For that many people and a buffet, I would do assigned tables.
We're not doing assigned anything but we only have about 35 people and are doing tapas style.
I've been to one free for all wedding...trust me you don't want to go that route. People start saving tables, etc. and it sucks if you're there and don't know lots of other people. I would definitely assign tables at a minimum.
We went to a free for all wedding back in August, with some tables reserved for immediate family. It was chaos, we were running around trying to find a group of tables for our family and the rest of the family to sit near us. It wasn't fun and it seemed very unorganized. I'd say, at least go for the assigned tables so that people aren't running around trying to find seats together or families ending up seperated.
Thanks so much ladies!! ANNNNDDDDD check out my blog, follow and leave me a comment with your blog URL and I'll follow you!
I guess it would help if I left the address... LOL http://ali-joy.blogspot.com
We are definitely assigning tables b/c there is a huge problem with wedding crashers down here and we want our dinner to be private. If they want to come for cake and dancing, ten I'll let them have that :)
Ok so @AlissaLoveLady not only are we twin dates but we both call our FIs "cowboy"... crazy! I'm following your blog now! :) I'd love if you chcked out mine :) www.mismikadodowntheaisle.wordpress.com
I'm having trouble deciding on the seating issue too! I'm having a cocktail style reception on a rooftop deck. I have about 100-125 guests. Four large tables are assigned for close family (so 40 guests will have assigned tables) but the rest of the guests may feel left out if I don't have seating arrangements for them. Plenty of seats all over. The problem is, the rooftop deck has lounge areas throughout, so do I assign lounge areas, not tables? or have open seating? It is more of a club atmosphere, with a pool, and daybeds etc. If I have open seating, how can I word this with some kind of cute sign? Any suggestions are great! My FI thinks I should just have open seating but I'm not convinced.
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I hate free for all seating, especially at large events. What always happens is people run to the tables and save their seat, then they feel the need to guard their seat so someone else doesn't accidentally sit down in their seats. And someone always ends up sitting with a group of people they wouldn't chose to sit with and then its awkward and people end up leaving early.
DOOOOOOOOOOO ITTTTTTTTTT.
Seriously. I once went to a "free for all" wedding. It was small (guessing about 50-60 people) and DH and I got stuck at a table in the back corner, just us and some friends of the groom's parents. Not fun.
@mismikado WOW I love your blog! And I'm SOOO following it! You're date is 5/29?!? Where do you live???
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That is the question! On the one hand, I'd like people to feel comfortable, and choosing their own seating may help with that. On the other hand, for those of our friends who really don't know any other guests, a seating assignment may give them that sense of comfort; not having to pick a seat or feel that they aren't included somehow...
We're inviting around 230 guests. A lot of them are "cowboys". I have a feeling that a lot of guests won't spend most of their time in their seats anyway. But it would be nice for everyone to have a place to keep their things. BUUUUUT, then again, a seating assignment may lend itself to a more formal atmosphere than we're going for...
HEEEELLLPPPPPP. :) What are your thoughts on this??