Assigned Tables for Buffet Style Reception

We are having a buffet dinner too but yes, we are using a seating chart. It's just a lot more organized that way, you know everybody has a seat, and it allows a little control as to who you sit by who. I've got 3 different people that do not need to be at the same table together. And 1 person that if she ended up at one particular table, the older ladies there would go in to shock because of her mouth. So yeah.. seating charts even with a buffet dinner are not a bad idea.

I don't see anything at all wrong with it. The last wedding reception that I attended was for almost 230 people, was buffet style and they had assigned seats. There are always pros and cons to doing this. How many people do you have attending?

I am having 200-250 and there are a lot of people who have no business sitting with each other so this just seems like the best option.

I've considered one too. I'm really glad you posted this cause the FH and I are on different pages about this one. He says cause it's a buffet, we don't need a seating chart. But I think it would be nice. Something I considered doing was intentionally seating people around other people that they don't know. That way both our families can talk and get to know each other. But I'm concerned that it might not be proper etiquette. Does anyone know about those sorts of things?

Bickimook2 it sounds like your bad experience is due in part to poor planning on your friend's part. Not having enough seats for your guests has nothing to do with whether or not there is assigned seating.

At any rate, i dont' see any reason you shouldn't have assigned seating especially if you are concerned about some of your guests.

Why does it matter if you have a buffet or plated meal? People still have to sit down and eat lol. I don't know about seating folks with folks they don't know. I planned to do the opposite as much as possible.

Well if you are doing a plated meal a seating chart is pretty much a given because each guest pre-chooses what meal they want before the event, the chart lets the caterers know who to give what plate too. I actually want to do assigned tables and not assigned seats so people still have the option of where they are seating at their assigned tables.

We're also having a buffet, but I'm definitely doing assigned tables. Like others said you ensure that people are put where you want them, important family and friends up front and that everyone has a seat due to singles and couples being in the mix. If you don't you'll run into what happened at your friend's wedding. The only way to avoid that situation without assigning seating is to have more tables than you actually need, which ups your cost if your doing centerpieces or other things at the place settings.

My Aunt (the owner of our venue) suggested I do assigned seating for our buffet but I wanted our families to mingle and be more like one big family than 2 different ones. There was an issue at a previous wedding where the families where on opposite sides like there was a battle line drawn and that's not what we wanted but like I said our venue suggested it so it is perfectly normal and acceptable.

I think traditional etiquette says that tables are supposed to be half bride/half groom guests so that they can mingle and get to know each other. Personally I have attended weddings like this and would have preferred to have been seated with more of my family members just because we do not see each other very often and would have liked more time to catch up. I think it just depends on the type of family's you both have. But definitely do a seating chart. I was at one where there was no chart and 2/3 of every table filled up with clusters of friends and then other people had to not sit with their friends in order to fill in the other seats. Plenty of seat for everyone but overall hectic and led to a less enjoyable evening.

Hi Bickimook We are having a buffet meal and I am doing assigned tables, not seating but I think assigned tables is good to do so people are sitting where they will be most comfy

We are also having a buffet, but NOT doing assigned seating. everyone coming to the wedding is mostly family, and we want a super casual relaxed feel so im hoping it works out! we will have 2 reserved tables though so my parents/brothers and his parents/siblings will be at the 2 tables closest to the head table.

I havent given assigned seating a second thought. decided early on i didnt want to do it and that was that. I hope I dont start doubting my decision now..i only have 30 days left!

I'm in the relaxed, casual camp. I'm having no more than 40 people, so we're not doing assigned seating at all. But for larger, more formal parties I think it's a good idea.

Yeah we are only having 50 guests (thats including ushers parents etc. etc.) so its going to be super small and casual and relaxed. pretty much everybody knows everybody

Just keep in mind that assigned tables are different than assigned seating. I like the assigned tables just to make sure someone isn't stuck at a table and is feeling uncomfortable, during the reception, people will mingle but at least during the meal I know everyone will be comfy

If you are having 50 guests or less i think you can get away with not having assigned seating. i will be assigning people to tables but they can take their escort card and sit where they want at the table.

Exactly ladylee I hate the idea of telling aomeone what seat to sit in but having people at a certain table is good with me

That is a good idea... Ill have to keep that in mind. Every time i see my mom to do some of our DIY projects for the wedding she asks what is left on the list or we'll start working on a project and she'll say "wait a minute...this wasnt on MY list!" haha I keep adding things every day. She is always hopeful that we are "almost done" and my list is growing and growing! I told her it is not going to end until the wedding day!

I think it really depends on how many people you are having and how different each family is. In some situations, I think it is nice to sit people together who don't already know each other, but some people would feel uncomfortable. Just plan ahead and think about the different personalities of your guests and who they would most likely get along with. If you have family that live far away and do not get to see the rest very often, I would suggest putting them together so that they can catch up. It is perfectly acceptable to have assigned seating and/or tables with a buffet style.

We are doing buffet and we are also seating people. We are only seating them at specific tables not specific seats. It will just make everything easier to have assigned tables because there is a lot of drama with our guests and I can seat them at tables far away from each other and that way people won't be stuck sitting with people they don't get along with.