Assigned tables vs chose your own table

I am all for assigned seats. I want to know where my spot is. If I get up to pee, I want to know it will be there when I get back.

You need to assign tables otherwise people will mill around awkwardly, and families might get split up due to tables being partially filled.

You don't have to assign seats but people always appreciate assigned tables.

Ask your photographer what they want. Ours asked for a small table for the two of them to keep their gear at, too.

I would still at least assign tables. Sometimes a situation works out were there's an odd empty seat here or there and you have couples who end up getting separated because of this. It'll just make things easier on everyone in my opinion.

And yes, I'd make sure you have a place for your photographer. Actually I'm glad you mentioned that, because I had forgotten to include my photographer in my rough head count.

Our guest list is under 50 and we r not assigning anything. We didn't find it necessary for such a small group. We dont want people sectioned off by groups or clicks. We want everyone to mingle with everyone

Even with a small group people appreciate having a table assigned so they are guaranteed to sit with their SO. You would think people would sit themselves in a way that doesn't split up families, but this doesn't happen. They are having a good time not thinking about the other guests that they don't even notice they sat in a way that doesn't allow other groups to sit together.

If you don’t assign tables you need to have a lot more tables/chairs than there are people. People don’t sit themselves effeciently so if you only have 50 chairs, place settings, etc for 50 people with no assignments there will be couples/families split up and it will become really hectic. I think assigning tables will create a more stress free environment for everyone involved.

I would assign tables. I personally don't like no seating assignments, especially if you are an out of town guest or a guest that doesn't know a lot of other guests. Then you don't awkwardly have people trying to figure out where to sit, or having to shift down seats to accommodate a couple. And no, traditionally no vendor has a seat. If they have a meal, they usually eat quickly in another room so they aren't missing important moments.

I am not sure about the assigned seating either. I think it is an idea just want people to mingle more is my idea.

Hi Michelle! Welcome to the WeddingWire Community! I definitely recommend assigning seats to keep everything organized and running smoothly!

I would say assign tables, not seats, even though your wedding is small. It takes the pressure of finding a table off your guests.

You should definitely assign tables. It’s just easier.

I am having a small wedding as well and my fiancé and I were just debating this last night. He doesn’t see the need to assign even tables. From a guests perspective, I prefer having an assigned seat that I know is mine. People don’t seat themselves effectively- this is true. I don’t want to look around and see people wondering around with a plate in hand looking for a table.

We didn’t do assigned seats and it worked out fine. Our wedding was all family members who are very close though. We had 130 guests.

I would still assign tables. Assuming you don't make a seating chart, you would probably still reserve tables for immediate family and VIPs. With such a small guest list, that's almost like "we reserved these two tables for the most important people, but the rest of you can just figure it out!" lol. Plus as PPs have said, it just helps organize things better so that families can make sure they are together.

At least assign tables. I've been a guest at a beautiful, amazing, big wedding where I was surprised they didn't assign tables and it was a bit confusing at first, some people went straight for the bar and then didn't have seats, some milled around, but mostly people hung towards the back afraid to seat themselves in the front (they did have a couple reserved seats for close family) which left many empty seats in the front. It was just an awkward start to the reception.

I'm personally assigning seats w/ about 65 people because I have some particular dietary restrictions that I would like to honor and the best situation for my guests and my caterer is to make it clear as to where each person is seated. Plus, I can seat WP and family with people that they would most enjoy sitting with!

Me and my FH are not assigning tables or seats. It will be a smaller wedding and I think it will be nice to let people sit where they wish to sit.

We are having 50 guest as well and will be doing assigned tables, if not we would of had to have additional tables to accommodate if they don't fill up the seats at the tables... or families getting split up.

I’m also having a small wedding, expecting 40-50 people and I will be having assigned seating. I think it just makes it easier for guests, especially since the wedding is small placing people should be very easy