Anybody NOT Doing Assigned Seating At Reception?

Please assign tables. One wedding we went to didn't and we ended up having to sit in seats to claim them for the majority of the cocktail hour (basically missing it and making it feel long) and ended up sitting with random friends of the brides parents. People had their stuff taken off the table and thrown into the corner by older guests and the grooms parents ended up sitting in one of the 4 overflow tables outside on the lawn when the rest of us where inside. They had a table reserved for the Brodal party and grooms family and two for the bride. It just put too much stress on the guests.

I have never been to a wedding where they didn't assign tables. They were even assigned at the 20 person wedding that I went to that only had three tables. Unless you are having a cocktail reception, I think you really need to assign tables. It makes things a lot less awkward for your guests. I honestly would be shocked if I went to a wedding without a seating chart and unhappy if I wasn't able to sit with the people I knew.

I have to say I agree with @ Alexis I. You don't have to assign seating but could do assign table which makes it so much easier. I have been to a wedding that did not do assign table or seats and it instead lead to people choosing seat and would go to bathroom or bar to come back and have their stuff moved. Just takes away from enjoying the reception. Also by doing assign tables you can make sure those who normally would sit together get to enjoy each other and not feel awkward.

We are doing a similar reception about 30-50 people at a restaraunt. Not assigning seating

I'm not doing assigned seating. If people can't find a place to sit with chairs and tables in front of them--then they can stand. I feel ( so I may be wrong) that this is usually intended for larger weddings where people may not know others who are there and to ensure they find people they will enjoy. My wedding is family only, so I'm a different one and not worried about seating.

Since you are at a restaurant though, they may want to still direct where people sit. If you don't care, just tell them to find a seat.

Most of the venues I looked at stated that if I didn't do assigned seating the I would need at least 3 extra tables and pay for extra place settings. if you have mostly have couples or family's then it is likely people will be trying to sit with each other which causes chaos.

I'm not assigning seats. I don't really see that it's necessary for 40-50 people to have cake and punch. If I was planning a dinner I would absolutely assign seats, or at least tables. But ours is so laid back, I'm not really stressing over it.