Assigned seating or no

In my opinion, assigned seating is a must otherwise it can be very disorganized because guests don't usually seat themselves in an organized manner. I've been to a couple weddings were the couple didn't do assigned seating and I hated it. We had no idea where to sit and it was very awkward. We ended up at a random table with complete strangers.

I would at least have assigned tables so people are guaranteed to sit with people they know.

Unless you're having a micro wedding (which you aren't), assigned tables at the least is always recommended. Agree with PPs--as a wedding professional, I've been privy to my fair share of 50 people+ weddings who thought they'd be able to get away with no table assignments.

People take chairs from one table and crowd them into another to sit with people. There were many grandparents, cousins, that one high school friend, and more sitting alone at big tables. It just gets confusing and awkward.

Assigned seating is always a good idea. Also, since you're having a backyard wedding and I'm assuming you're going to have to rent tables and chairs, that's another reason for needing assigned seating. If you don't have assigned seating, then you'd need to rent a bunch of extras, because guests won't magically break themselves up into groups of 8 or however many sit at each table.

The only time you can get away with no assigned seating is a dessert or cocktail/heavy appetizers reception. It’s a must otherwise to avoid pandemonium. But you only assign them to tables and let them pick the seat.

If you have free for all seating, you will have to rent double the number of tables and chairs. Couples and families always get split up. Grandma saves an entire table no one sits at. Etc.

It is not that a lack of assigned seating is 'tacky' it is just that it can be chaotic for guests. Essentially your guests will walk in and upon realising there is no assigned seating they will be standing their like deer in the headlights for a few minutes before scrambling to try find the people they know and then a table for everyone.

If your wedding is cocktail style however there shouldn't be an issue since obviously it is not a proper sit down meal.

At the very least do assigned tables. If not, people will be all over the place. I went to one wedding like this and since I didn’t know very many people, I ended up sitting alone because I wasn’t comfortable squeezing in on tables just to be by someone I knew.

I would do assigned seating. With that many people I feel like it would be chaotic and would only really be smooth if it was more like 20 people

I also have about 70 guests and I am assigning people to tables rather than seats. My parents were saying assigned seating was unnecessary but I have seen enough comments here about it to think it is a good idea.

For a casual backyard wedding I don't think it's a must at all. I definitely have seating for more than 70 people though since people will want to sit in groups that dont' always line up exactly with how many chairs are at a table.

After attending a wedding with no assigned seating, I'm 100% team assign tables at the very least! Otherwise, make sure you have PLENTY of extra tables and chairs as guests won't sit at a table with people they don't know unless they're assigned to it.

It kind of depends on your people and the type of reception you're having. We had an early afternoon ceremony with an hors d'oeuvres reception, about 60 guests at the reception (more at the ceremony, but couldn't stay for the reception), and didn't do assigned seating. It wasn't a problem at all for our people, and the feedback we've gotten so far is that they really liked that they were able to choose where they wanted to sit. Our wedding party was at the head table with us, and then everyone else pretty much got their own table with the exact group they wanted. For us, no seating chart worked out perfectly.

That said, however, if you're doing a full meal it's usually helpful to have at least assigned tables. If you choose not to assign tables, just make sure you have ample tables and chairs to accommodate everyone.