Post # 17
Member
183 posts
Blushing bee
At least assign tables!!! My husband and I went to a went that was close to 200 people and had completely open seating. It was a HOT MESS. We had to sit with random people that we really had nothing in common with. They were hs friends of the bride’s parents and we were friends with the groom. It was super awkward and uncomfortable, especially when they had had a few too many drinks and started ripping on the best man during his speech (who was also a groomsmen in our wedding party) about something absolutely ridiculous.
For our wedding we assigned seats because it was plated dinner. It did take some time but in the end it was totally worth it.
Post # 18
Member
987 posts
Busy bee
Yes, I just think it makes everything so much easier. It was a bit of a pain to plan but I think it is totally worth it. But we also had kind of a unique seating plan. We had 2 family tables surrounded by the rest of the tables instead of a head table. That way our wedding party was able to sit with their spouses/so’s and all tables were “good” in terms of their distance from the bride/groom. We ate our salad at one family table and the entree at the other. Then we circulated during dessert. It worked out better than expected.
Post # 19
Member
1206 posts
Bumble bee
We’re doing tables, not seats. That way our family gets to sit near us, our friends further out, and our college buddies don’t get stuck next to my cousin and her 3 yr old and new born.
Post # 20
Member
2472 posts
Buzzing bee
We will be assigning tables. I don’t want people wandering around trying to figure out where they should sit.
Post # 21
Member
6593 posts
Bee Keeper
We are assigning tables but not seats – it minimizes a bit of chaos and everyone will HAVE a seat with their date but it is less work than assigned seats!
Post # 22
Member
2403 posts
Buzzing bee
yes, please assign tables!! i went to a wedding last christmas that did not have any assigned seating and it was sooooo confusing and annoying as a guest! i went with my parents and my Fiance and ended up having to split up because we found 3 seats together… my dad sat by himself at some random table.
in my experience at least, its just not a good idea!
Post # 23
Member
672 posts
Busy bee
We assigned tables, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way! The weddings I’ve been to without any kind of seating chart end up in chaos – like many have mentioned – if they’ve got a larger group size. So we assigned tables, it worked out great.
Post # 24
Member
8351 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
We are keeping our guest list to a max of 50, so we were thinking about just letting everyone sit wherever they wanted; however after much thought and reading this post, we will be assigning tables, but not seats. I am sure everyone will get up and move around after they have eaten to visit, but to start with, having assigned seating will save a lot of stress and confusion for everyone.
Post # 25
Member
582 posts
Busy bee
I definitly have to. I have a HUGE family and there are so many family feuds! Unfortunately I have to be really careful who I sit together. Right now I dont even what to think about all the politics involved in my seating chart. Even if your family is not crazy like mine I still think its very important for a larger wedding. My own major dislike at a wedding is dissorganization.
Post # 26
Member
204 posts
Helper bee
Nope. Small informal reception with a buffet.
Post # 27
Member
1269 posts
Bumble bee
We’re having a buffet and assigning tables.
Post # 28
Member
232 posts
Helper bee
We are having a sit down dinner, and I am doing a seating chart but no assigned seats. I thought about doing assigned seats, but folks would probably switch seats anyway and since it doesn’t affect the menu (ie, pre-selected meal would have required assigned seats), it’s not worth the trouble.
I’m going to have the chart on an easel and on display during the cocktail hour; the maitre’d will also have a copy of who belongs where, in case there are any problems.
I say do a chart; it’ll save time over doing all the seperate cards, it looks neater (no cards all over the place, or loose cards if you have a few folks that don’t show), and you’re using less paper.
Post # 29
Member
732 posts
Busy bee
I’m having a seating chart because I’m worried that if we don’t place people, then families might not be able to sit together. You know know how some people just sit at a table and break up the flow of things. We have lots of friends, but some of them don’t know everyone well, so we want to strategically place people!
Post # 30
Member
3098 posts
Sugar bee
We had table assignments, and it helped a lot. I knew that a lot of people at the wedding knew each other, and there were very few that didn’t. It helped me make it easier for them to feel included and mingle without being uncomfortable.
Post # 31
Member
303 posts
Helper bee
Honestly, I’ve never been to a wedding that had a complete seating plan, or if I was, I didn’t know it.
We will have tables for the parents & grandparents, and otherwise people can choose their own seat.
A definite no-no that happened at a relative’s wedding… the mother of the groom (my aunt) reserved seating (including placecards) for their friends, but no one else (including close family). Its a running joke in our family, so as a joke I’m giving another aunt, who was especially ticked (and has a good sense of humor), her own placecard to take with to the seat of her choosing at our reception :P.
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