Assigned Seating vs Reserved Seating

We did assigned tables. It makes the reception much more organized when guests know where to go. Also, if you do not assign tables, you will likely have many extra seats let open. You do not need to assign actual seats though.

We are doing reserved tables for bridal party/family and assigned tables for the guests.

I don't understand the difference? Either way, you're telling people specifically where to sit instead of having an open seat. I guess you mean reserve specific chairs as opposed to just assigning tables? I have seen reserved seats at the ceremony, though, to make sure important family and guests get to be in the front row.

View Quoted Comment Reserved seating is more so directed at family members, to ensure that they have a spot to sit together. The other tables would be open seating

View Quoted Comment Oh, I get it. But I would take the time to assign tables for everyone. Guests are usually really uncomfortable when there's open seating. They wander around looking for a table that has enough seats for their whole group. Sometimes there won't be one, so friend groups or couples will get split up. Some tables will be too full and others will be practically empty. Also the serving staff won't know which table/seat to bring the right meals. The topic of open seating has come up a lot on these boards lately and posters always advise against it pretty strongly.

I'm assigning tables for everyone, I don't want to deal with the awkwardness of people trying to find tables and then having partially empty tables.

I would recommend assigned seating for everyone - my cousin's wedding was reserved seating for family (his immediate family + uncles, aunts, cousins) and open seating for everyone else and it was a hot mess. Non family members completely ignored the reserved signs on the tables and the groom's mother had to ask people to move - super awkward. Most of the family also didn't know the reserved tables were for us (lack of communication) and we had to split into small groups to find seats at open tables (before we moved to the reserved tables) since we entered the space late due to photos after the ceremony.

We are doing reserved seating for people who will be getting pictures done. And open seating for everyone else. My wedding is in 8 days so I can't tell you how it workes yet for my wedding. But I have been to plenty of weddings like this and never seen nor had an issue with it.

I would do assigned seating. I've been to a wedding that did reserved seating only for the bridal party and the rest was free to be wherever, and it was a mess. After the entrances and first dance, people scrambled to find seats with people they wanted to sit with (if they stood for entrances and first dance) and it made everything get a little crazy. With assigned seating, people just need to look for where they go and sit and they're done!

We are doing assigned tables but not assigned seats. We chose to do it that way so it's not chaotic & not awkward. I have been to a wedding where it was a free for all & we ended up sitting with the grandparents we never met before. It gives me a peace of mind knowing that the people we assigned at each table will mesh well together & enjoy the company.

We have attended (together and separate) many events where there was open seating and it was pandemonium and ptsd from the high school cafeteria. Couples and families always get split up and grandma saves a table no one sits at but won’t give up the seats so others can sit.



Have assigned tables and let them pick the seat. If you are having a plated meal, your waitstaff will require knowing where everyone is sitting and some type of code for the meal selections. Colored card stock tent cards for each meal choice (dirt cheap on Etsy) that guests find their names, grab and go to find their tables is the easiest and least expensive route.

I'd suggest doing assigned tables for all guests. We went to a wedding that only had reserved seating for family and the wedding party and it was a disaster.

I'd avoid anything that gives the appearance that you're treating guests differently from each other. I would do assigned tables for everyone.

View Quoted Comment It gives me horrible memories of over crowded work conference seating! I would always be standing at the wall because it was just so much work to find a seat!

I would definitely suggest doing assigned seating. We did assigned seating with place cards and we spent a LONG time coordinating tables of people who either knew each other or people we thought would get along well. If you leave open seating, people often don't fill up an entire table and we had no room for any more tables. It depends on how much extra space is in your reception area!

We are assigning tables but not specific seats. I wouldn’t suggest a free for all, people need guidance. It will be helpful to assign them at tables with others they will get along with as well, it will make the experience much better all around.

Our venue requires assigned seating, so that's what we're going with. It's rare here to do assigned tables or escort cards.