Post # 1

Member
32 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: December 2014 - Caldwell Chapel / Sawyer Hayes Community Center
Hi!! My fiance came up with a list of table numbers where the numbers have some sort of significance to us. Here’s what we came up with:
1: The day in January 2009 that Matt and Mattie became boyfriend and girlfriend<br />31: The day in July 2012 that Matt asked Mattie to be his wife<br />7: The number of nieces and nephews Matt and Mattie now share<br />6: The number of letters in the last name Matt and Mattie now share
17: Matt and Mattie’s age when they started dating each other
1905: The apartment number of Matt and Mattie’s first place together
<div>123: The number of weeks Matt and Mattie were engaged<br />8: The number of magnets on Matt and Mattie’s fridge from places they’ve visited together<br />2: The number of cats Matt and Mattie have adopted together</div>
<div>13: The day in December that Matt and Mattie now have a reason to celebrate<br />0: The number of times Matt can tolerate watching Mattie eat mustard on a cracker</div>
<div>41: The number of miles Matt and Mattie have hiked together<br />1991: The year Matt and Mattie were born<br />2012: The year Matt and Mattie got engaged<br />5: The number of trips Matt and Mattie have taken as a couple<br />9: The number of inches taller Matt is than Mattie<br />3.5: The number of years it took Matt to propose to Mattie</div>
<div>10: The day in May that Matt and Mattie celebrate their cats’ birthdays.<br /><br />Anyway, my question is about having our DJ announce each one of these table numbers to go to the buffet. Should we have him announce the number AND the significance of it? I’m displaying the table numbers in a way that guests can see the significance, so table 10 has the number 10 on it, and underneath that it says “The day in May that Matt and Mattie celebrate their cats’ birthdays.” I’m just wondering if it would be strange for the DJ to have to do that much talking to announce each table. We are not having assigned seating at our reception, just a few reserved tables for our immediate family and bridal party, so the only purpose of these table numbers is for the DJ to announce tables for the buffet. And since that’s the case, I feel like it might be strange for the DJ to NOT announce the significance of each number. Honestly, I’m totally sleep-deprived and am just having trouble making a decision on this. Any opinions appreciated!<br /><br />Thanks!</div>
Post # 2

Member
2446 posts
Buzzing bee
I don’t think the DJ needs to announce the significance. It’s likely to be missed in all the hullaballoo, and if you already have the meaning displayed at the table your guests will see it.
Post # 3

Member
3592 posts
Sugar bee
I say just call the table number to avoid confusion. If he starts explaining the significance people will want to sit down and listen which will take longer. Everyone will be hungry and ready to eat. The explanation will already be on the table. If anything i would just have the DJ say if you haven’t taken the time to read each table number it represents a significant time in the couples life and start to call each table for food.
Post # 4

Member
721 posts
Busy bee
Yea, I think this is a bad idea. First, you’re interrupting the natural flow everytime the DJ speaks. Second, think about how annoying DJ voices can be, you really don’t want him going on and on. Honestly, if you don’t even have to announce table numbers, even better.
Post # 5

Member
739 posts
Busy bee
I think its a cute idea, could be a mouthful for your DJ but I like it 🙂
And I’d be listening waiting for my table number anyways (especially since you aren’t going in numerical order), so gives you something to listen to and discuss while you’re waiting for your number to be called. The last buffet wedding I went to, we were the last table called and we were all sort of waiting through each number being called for ours and it kept interrupting our conversation when it wasn’t.
Post # 6

Member
2409 posts
Buzzing bee
Instead of having your DJ announce the tables like that, I would just write it on the table numbers so people can understand what the number at their table means.
Post # 7

Member
7242 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I think telling the stories behind the table numbers will cause more confusion than it solves, because people don’t listen attentively to the entire announcement, and they will end up not being sure what was just said.
Personally I think using random numbers as table numbers is also likely to cause confusion. When tables are numbered in sequential order (1-2-3-4…), a guest can look up their table assignment, then look at the overall room layout and the number of the table next to where they are standing, and have a pretty good idea of how to get to their place. If you’re standing in a big hall and there’s about 20 tables, and you’re supposed to find #10 and you’re standing next to #1, you know you’ve got to make your way towards the center of the room. If there’s 20 tables and you’re standing next to #3.5 and you’re supposed to find #1905, you’re lost. Having a chart or a map is only so much help. You may have a smoother time getting people to settle into their seats if your table numbers make some sort of sense.
Post # 8

Member
1167 posts
Bumble bee
I’d skip it. Once people see their table number is “unique” for whatever reason they’ll probably walk around and see the others and read why they’re unique anyway, no need to beat it into them.
Post # 9

Member
831 posts
Busy bee
The explanation on the table number card is enough. Having the DJ announce the background story to each one is just too much. It seems attention-hungry, to be honest.
Post # 10

Member
9074 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I’d be listening for a table number only. I probably wouldn’t care about the significance. But if you do, write it on the table number.
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Post # 11

Member
1116 posts
Bumble bee
I’m going against everyone else and saying Id love to hear all the meanings if I were a guest and also I dont think its to much for the dj to say it gives a break for the line to go down before the next group jump in…. I may steal this idea
Post # 12

Member
7489 posts
Busy Beekeeper
mattiematilda: The whole point of numbering tables is to make it easy for guests to find their seats. If you’re at Table 6, you know to pass up Tables 3, 4, and 5, but if you make it to 7 or 8, you’ve gone too far. They’re numbered for a reason. I find it hard enough when the tables are named for cities or books or other stuff that’s not numeric, but at least those are not just random intermingled numbers. For your guests sake, I recommend rethinking this. If you have to do it, please just have the DJ announce the number. Don’t make it more confusing.
Just noticed the part where you’re not having assigned seating. I still don’t like the random table numbers, but I’m pretty sure I’m not invited to your wedding, so have at it if it means that much to you.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by
Daisy_Mae.
Post # 13

Member
32 posts
Newbee
- Wedding: December 2014 - Caldwell Chapel / Sawyer Hayes Community Center
I’m glad that some of you like this idea. I’m going with vanessa1359’s idea to not have the DJ announce the significance of each table number but to remind them to check out the numbers if they want. Also, no assigned seating so it doesn’t matter that the table numbers aren’t in numerical order. The only reason I’m doing this is to add a personal touch to our reception and to help the flow of the line for the buffet since my reception site is too small for a huge line. I’ve already made all of the table numbers and it’s kind of hurtful to have so many people saying they don’t like my idea. If you don’t like it, don’t use it in your wedding, but you don’t have to tell me you don’t like it. I worked really hard on this and I love it, so I guess that’s all that really matters.<br /><br />Thanks for all the advice!
Post # 14

Member
1088 posts
Bumble bee
We also used unique table identifiers, although we used places that were important to us rather than numbers. So for example one table was named Fanueil Hall.
I know you aren’t planning to do assigned seating so placement doesn’t matter, but if you change your mind…we simply made a little floorplan next to the escort cards to indicate where the tables were. It was super easy and no one had issues finding their tables.
Post # 15

Member
1116 posts
Bumble bee
mattiematilda: can I see pictures? ( i love pictures especially diy)
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This reply was modified 3 years, 4 months ago by
LadyPeacockk.