All Answers

I think that reserving a couple tables is a good idea. I would let everyone else find their own seating. Most of the time they will squeeze in somewhere with a familiar face and it works out. No reason to place EVERYONE and it's less stressful on you making sure everyone has a place to sit. :)

The ONLY thing about not seating everyone is what if some couples are a tad late & there are only single seats left? It might be too squished to fit an extra person at the tables. I just printed out the table seating & put the names in little frames. It was easy & I didn't get writer's cramp.

If you are not going to be doing assigned seating, then you do not have to do placecards (except ones that say "Reserved" on the family tables). The only other thing placecards might come in handy for is your waiters if you are having a sit-down dinner with different meal options (but, they can always ask people at each table, so it is not a complete necessity).

Good luck!

Letting everyone sit where they'd like is very casual and acceptable. Place cards do a few things:
*adds to the decor of your table
*makes sure that everyone has a seat with their family or guest even if they arrive late.
*makes your guest feel special and appreciated because you went to the trouble of writing or printing their name on the place card.
*often, guest will take place cards home as a keepsake from your day.

Placecards or not is really up to you and is appropriate either way. :-)

Happy Wedding - Sandy

Statistically, guests tend to prefer assigned seating over open seating, it makes it simple for them, avoids disastrous groupings, and elimiates the problem of separating latecomers. For the caterer, it simplifies service, because they know exactly which seat gets which meal. And, of course, they may add style and sophistication to the table design.
Seating plans and place cards are a simple matter for your professional plannerto create, as we generally have the tools to do so. They can be used to manage your RSVPs, and other mailing needs, as well.

I know it's tedious but you may want to take into consideration a few things, such as the number of guests attending. This is a good way to keep count of who's coming to your reception. Also it's the best way to make sure your guests have a seat! You never know who's going to come with an extra guest (without informing you)and therefore take up a seat that should have gone to someone else. Usually after dinner is served people start to get up and move around anyway so they're not going to be stuck at a table the entire night.

However if you're having a small gathering then you can probably get away with not using the placecards. But if you're not, you might want to reconsider.

Placecards can be a good idea. How ever I have done two weddings where assigned seating still caused problems. There was not enough tables and people got confused. Some times having assigned seating causes a back up in the entrance to the hall, where as everyone is coming in at once and it gets congested. I would agree with just having your reserved tables and then letting people sit where they want. Sometimes this is more comfortable with guest specially the ones that your not sure who they should sit with. That way they can sit with the familiar people.