MemberAmazing venue!!!!! I would totally have a seating chart. I would put the young folks up in the loft. I would give a heads up as to when all the formal wedding stuff is done so the lofters have time to come see the first dances and speeches.
Member@FutureMrsT1221: I agree with alot of others, its all about how you seat everyone. From the photo it looked like more tables could fit up there than they have, so I’d just add a few more so its not a small small crowd up there. Its obvious from the venue thats thats just how it is, it has two floors, some will go up and some down. Yea, put some “VIP” people up there, like your sister or best friend to show that these tables are just as a part of everything as the others. As a guest, if I saw your sister or really close cousin up there, I wouldn’t feel like an afterthought at all and would think like oh they are up here! (if I even gave it any thought at all)
Someone else mentioned about having to walk up and down if wanted to sit, I really dont think thats a big deal, once the party starts, everyone is mingling around, I never sit back in my dinner chair or feel thats the only place I can sit, I just sit wherever to visit with people and then get back to dancing. I could see if someone who is not close to you or doesnt know many people obviously will want to go back to their sepcific table bc they cant mingle around, but maybe put those people downstairs.
Don’t stress about it. The younger crowd upstairs is also a good idea becuase they wont be afraid to head on downstairs and probably wont be sitting much to have to walk back up there anyways,
Member@FutureMrsT1221: i absolutley would not care one tiny iota or give it a single thought! thats the way the venus is SET UP. i think it is completely 100% fine to use both levels.
Member@FutureMrsT1221: I think it would be fine. I once went to a reception that was in an L shaped room and was sat in short side where none of us could even SEE the Bride and Groom, so that’s awkward. In the loft, they can see not only you but still everything going on. If you have guest that you know are big people watchers, put them up top. 😉
MemberI think it’s totally fine as long as it’s just as nice up there as it is on the main floor.
Looks like a beautiful place!! Congrats!
MemberI went to a wedding where we were the only table in the “loft” (it only had room for one long table). It was our whole group of friends, we joked about being stuck up there as the “troublemakers” but it meants our table wasn’t removed for dancing and it was fine. I wouldn’t be offended, I’d just laugh. Your looks way closer to the action that ours was as well.
Member@FutureMrsT1221: I will be having a seating chart at my wedding, but mainly because I am having a seated dinner. If I wasn’t, then I might consider not even worrying about it because I’m certainly not looking forward to the headache of it all!
The last 5 or 6 weddings that I went to actually didn’t have a seating chart or escort cards or anything and it all seemed to work out fine. For the most part, the bigger groups that really wanted to sit together found their tables first and then the couples and triples just kind of filled it. One of the weddings, we ended up pulling an extra chair to our table from the table next to us, but it wasn’t a big deal. Two of the weddings actually didn’t even have enough seats for everyone to actually have a seat – and I was one of the people that didn’t get a table/seat.
Honestly, it didn’t bother me much though. I munched on some of the food and then hit the dance floor. Granted, all of the recent weddings were buffet style or heavy apps rather than a seated, passed meal – which is the only way it will work. I wasn’t offended or anything – but I also don’t go to weddings to sit around either 
The people that you’re inviting will want to do a lot of celebrating, so I think not having assigned tables won’t be a huge deal. I have heard though, and take it with a grain of salt, that if you’re not doing a seating chart and assigning tables, you should plan to have a couple extra tables to account for the single spots left open at other tables. Not sure if you can swing that in your space (or if you really need to either honestly), but it’s food for thought.
Good luck! I really hope this venue works for you! I just love the pictures of it!
MemberFutureMrsT1221: My fiance’s friend did this. All the family (both sides had VERY large families, and that meant a lot of cousins) and close family friends sat down on the main floor, while the rest of us (friends, and most of us were much younger) sat upstairs. I liked it, it didn’t feel as crowded, and we could still see everything. We still went down and danced and had fun with the photobooth.
I can see why some people may be offended, but honestly, it’s your wedding, and they should be happy that they can be included in your big day.
MemberI have a balcony at my venue and i will be seating some up there. I think that people who are there wont really care that much and if they do then oh well! you could think of doing the cake cutting up there so that they also have some fo their own event that they can see from their seat! The loft would be a much better view of everything i would definitely sit the young crowd up there!
MemberThis may be said but don’t forget to not sit older people upstairs…stairs can be hard for them.
Other than that, it is a beautiful venue!!!!!
MemberMemberFutureMrsT1221: I think it would be absolutely fine. What the name of this venue?
MemberI’ve been at weddings where there were clearly two seating areas, and thought it was pretty offensive. At least you can still see the bride/groom from the loft area, but I think you run the risk of alienating anyone you seat up there.
Could you sit up there with the bridal party? That might be nicer for the guests.
What type of food are you doing? If it’s a buffet, will everyone need to carry their plates up the stairs? You might get spills.
MemberWhat a beautiful venue! Younger crowd in the loft – they are less likely to feel offended and will probably enjoy the group feel up there.
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