Anybody NOT Doing Assigned Seating At Reception?

Our is a small 40 guest wedding and we are assigning seats. We thought about not doing that but we wanted to eliminate any chance of someone being left out. It would be horrible to have all cousins at a table and maybe a close sister or aunt also wanted to be at that table but it was already full, so now she has to sit with strangers? I think having at least one person they are comfortable and know well at the table they should be fine. The last thing you need is anyone getting angry about not getting the seat they wanted. Assigned seats would be more fair IMHO.

It's needed. Trust me. I see the look of complete confusion and fear on grown people's faces when they don't know where to sit.

Why don't you want to do it?

I really hate at weddings when there are no seat/table assignments. It just makes it harder on me as a guest. Unless I know everyone it's awkward. I don't know if I sit at this table maybe I am taking someones seat without meaning to. Plus you have to have more seats if you don't at least assign tables (by like 20%+) because you end up with random empty chairs at each table since groups don't want to split up and that leads to one or two seats being left over places.

It's not about forcing interactions, it's about making sure Cousin Bob doesn't take two chairs from table 10 to table 2 because he wants to sit with Sue Lynn, and that Uncle Jeff doesn't sit down at a table, mess up the setting, and then leave for the rest of the night, preventing anyone else from using that setting because they think it's occupied, and that Grandma Joan doesn't have to sit alone with your coworkers because everyone else filled up the tables.

I will never understand how people don't get this.

I'm having a cocktail style reception and was not doing assigned seating. I think I might now do it because I'm having guest list issues. The self-inviters are out of control.

I've been to

weddings that

had assigned

seating and

some that didn't. I was much happier with those that didn't, because then I didn't get stuck sitting by someone I really didn't want to sit with, which happened at 1 wedding. I know it did seem logical to sit me with those that I rode in with, but having already set in a car with these people for 12 hours, going to every Hooters on the way, I would have much rather been sitting with someone else at that point

Assign seats. There always seems to be that awkward seat left open, preventing 2 people from sitting together who would typically be seated together.

Not assigning seats. Our family and friends sit where they want and who they want no matter where you "tell" them to sit. My FH does the same thing at every wedding. He'll stand with a drink in his hand before he'll sit where he's told.

If you don't have a seating chart you need to supply about 30% more seating. People often have odd numbers and leave gaps which require more seating.... iv been to weddings with no chart and it feels weird to me. I would say to make a seating chart where you assign people to tables.

You need about 25% more seating if you dont assign tables - guests wont just neatly organize themselves into tables of 8 -- you'll have a table of 7, a table of 5, etc. while families of 4 or couples wander aimlessly looking for an open seat to accommodate their whole group, or the guest who doesnt really know a lot of people at the wedding is left feeling like the awkward new kid in school at their first lunch period. just food for thought.

Asking FH really helps. For us, we are having 50-65 guests as well and he wanted seating arrangements

You should assign tables because you could end up with a numbers problem - i.e. a couple could end up being split between two tables if there simply aren't enough seats together.

I've honestly never been to a wedding with even assigned tables. And I've been to a LOT of weddings! It's just not typically done in our circle I guess.

I didn't assign seats or tables. It was fine and it wasn't chaotic at all I had more guests than you

Goodness lol.

I can definitely understand not wanting people to leave empty seats in between and messing up place settings, etc.

We're having buffet. And it's mainly just dinner, cake and mingling. Think I'll just go ahead and assign tables at least.

We are not assigning and have never been to a wedding with assigned. My wedding will have 7sets of tables for 180 people. I have seen No issues ever except my cousins was a little odd but they also did not send out invites on time to anyone and it was not planned over all. Guess what, everyone still had a great time and no one froze thinking they were in high school again.

I wasn't going to because I want to be "free form" but

1) it's expected so it's not weird

2) I don't want people I don't know (thanks fmil) seated by the sweetheart table and my folks in the back

WW ladies made me realize that table assignments suffice.

We didn't have assigned seating. However, some things to think about:

* You'll need extra seating if you don't have assigned seats. Otherwise, the family of six may find they would have to have six seats at six different tables.

* People will end up sitting with strangers. His grandma could be at a table with all his fraternity brothers, instead of with his aunts and uncles.

We managed because:

* Everyone pretty much knew each other.

* It was a cocktail reception, not a dinner one, so people could get up and move around.

* We had lots more tables than would be needed, so people could always find a table where they could sit together.

Otherwise, you may at least want to assign people to tables, even though not to individual seats.

I have a family that would set 12 at a 8 person table so I have to have a seating chart. Know your guests hope everything works out for ya

Please at least assign tables.