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Savvy October 2019

Assigning tables

Micah, on May 5, 2019 at 11:41 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 15

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So I am currently in the mist of putting together a seating chart for my wedding reception. While talking about this with my bridesmaids and FH I've gotten alot of pushback with those said bridesmaids being suprised that im making people sit a certain tables vs choosing for themselves. I've personally never been to a wedding with a seating chart either but I always felt like there should be because one because it eliminates the confusion, award moments and having to move chairs around and things like that.
My FH is making it seem like what im doing is "extra" and im being "too controlling". So ladies are they right ? Is a seating chart not the norm anymore?

To clarify I am not assigning seats just tables.

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15 Comments

Latest activity by D, on May 6, 2019 at 12:48 PM

Master July 2019
Hannah · on May 5, 2019 at 11:46 PM
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This may be a regional thing, but table assignments are the norm where I'm from. I've never been to or even heard of a wedding without table assignments until I came on this board. I personally don't think it's extra, it's more efficient for the exact reasons you've said. If it's a smaller (less than 40 people) or more casual wedding, I can see that it may not be necessary. However, if you're having a semi-formal or formal wedding with a ton of guests, a seating free-for-all can be a nightmare.
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on May 6, 2019 at 12:11 AM
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No... instead you’re helping to keep things flowing in an organized manner at your reception. Also just because no one did it at any weddings you’ve attended doesn’t mean you can’t be the first.

To me, it’s like going to a restaurant and having a table ready for you.... versus when you’ve walked into a restaurant (or bar area) with open seating and you’re looking around for a table to fit your party of 5. It sucks! Also I feel like a seating chart makes your guests feel as though you thought of them enough to reserve a special space for them at your wedding.
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VIP September 2019
Trista · on May 6, 2019 at 12:23 AM
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I've to 5lat least 5 different weddings in both Washington and Montana, and none of them had a seating chart. We are doing a buffet instead of plated dinner, so I dont really see the point. I'm skipping it. Most everyone are adults who can figure it out themselves.
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Champion October 2018
Kelly · on May 6, 2019 at 12:34 AM
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The only weddings I’ve been to without seating charts were appetizers only and they had way more tables and chairs than people. It’s actually more cost effective to assign tables because then you only need the exact number of tables and chairs as people.
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Super May 2019
Nafisah · on May 6, 2019 at 2:25 AM
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I've never been to a wedding without a seating chart, even at a buffet style reception. Like someone said, it could be a regional thing. I think charts help to keep it organized and you can group people with other people they'd be comfortable with and it saves hassle with people trying to sit next to certain people and things like that. I dont think you're being extra.
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VIP May 2015
KiwiDerbyBride · on May 6, 2019 at 2:33 AM
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Every wedding I've been to has had a seating chart, or at least assigned tables. If you don't, you'll need 15-20% extra seating because people won't separate neatly into table-sized groups and will leave one empty chair between them and the next guest, so at a table meant for 10 you may end up with only seven or eight people. Don't forget that adds extra cost too - centrepieces, linens, tableware. Plus, if granny isn't fast enough to bag a seat near the front, she could be stuck at the back where she can't see or hear anything. I don't think you're being "extra" at all.
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Devoted December 2020
Evelyn · on May 6, 2019 at 4:45 AM
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For me it’s about half and half. I think it’s about your venue more than anything else. I’m doing seat assignments, but it’s for the reasons you brought up considering we are at the max capacity for our venue there will be a specific amount of seats, which will make it more awkward. Since there will be no empty seats and leeway. I think it is perfectly fine. It’s not like people CANT sit somewhere else or switch, it’s just trying to relieve some of the awkwardness.
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VIP December 2026
Chariece & Sterling · on May 6, 2019 at 6:47 AM
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We are doing table assignments because it is less chaotic. Suppose you have guest who graciously RSVP. However you have a few guests who did not. Without table allocation your RSVP guest might be without seating and this would be so unfair.
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VIP August 2019
Angerra · on May 6, 2019 at 7:01 AM
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I think it's a good idea to assign tables. I'm all about order so I'd prefer to assign tables than to have confused guests.
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Super October 2019
Devin · on May 6, 2019 at 7:56 AM
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Our venue asked us to do assigned tables as it makes it easier for them. They do a plated dinner.
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VIP September 2019
Melissa · on May 6, 2019 at 9:40 AM
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I’ve never been to a wedding that did not have table assignments. If you have more than 50 guests I would definitely assign tables so that parties don’t end up getting split up.
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Dedicated June 2017
Monica · on May 6, 2019 at 9:54 AM
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I got a bit of pushback from my mom when I wanted to assign tables, although my DH was on board. I made the decision after finding wedding wire two weeks before the wedding and realized it would be a better idea than my sister's wedding, which only put a reserved sign on a few tables for close family. Once she saw my vision and how I placed family members and other VIPs close together and close to the front, she became a lot more understanding. She was even glad I put her table of invited guests close to the bar!
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Expert September 2020
Christine · on May 6, 2019 at 11:38 AM
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I would just ignore people and do a seating chart anyway! The only wedding I've been to without a seating chart was an appetizer-only reception in a church hall. You're not being too controlling, you're just making sure that there will be enough seats/tables for all of your guests and helping ensure that guests aren't split from their families or SOs.
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Super September 2019
Jess · on May 6, 2019 at 12:08 PM
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I've only been to 3 weddings in my life but all 3 of those have had seating charts as well as I'm having a seating chart for my own wedding this September. Like you said seating charts are a good way to limit the confusion and the ruckus of moving chairs. My advice for a seating chart would be just make sure you're seating families or close friendships together that way you don't have any awkward tables that are silent all during dinner because they don't know anyone else at the table.
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Super July 2020
D · on May 6, 2019 at 12:48 PM
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Go for it as long as it doesn't cause you too much stress and there isn't a lot of dysfunction in your family haha. I'm not assigning seats, only reserving a couple of tables for family.
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