Buffet reception - need seats for everyone??

Amy, I think that you might want to rethink. Just because most people do eat at the same time.

There really isnt much for people to do when everyone else is eating.

You really need seats for everyone. Most people will eat at the same time and even if they don't people often want a place to put there stuff a "homebase" so to speak. I have been to weddings that didn't have enough seats and guests were VERY vocal in their complaints.

Yes, you definitely need seats for everyone. I'm actually really surprised that your caterer said otherwise.

Even though it is a buffet meal, people are still going to be eating at the same time and they will not want to (or even necessarily be able to) eat standing up. Aside from that, people like to have a "home base" at a wedding. They like a place for their coats, purses, whatever. A place where they can retreat to when they need a break from mingling or dancing. I would feel very uncomfortable at a wedding that had less seating then people. I would feel guilty sitting with other people standing. I would also be really annoyed if I was one of the people that had to stand at times.

You need seats for everyone... I would leave if I had to stand and eat at a wedding.people are going to be eating at the same time.

In addition to what the ladies said, not having assigned tables and having fewer seats than guests is a recipe for a disaster. Should the guests play musical chairs the whole time?

I'm curious though, how did the coordinator think this is going to work? Are you having a short, cocktail type reception? That's the only way I could see that work.

Thank you sooooooooooooooooo much!!!!! I'm with all of you ............ really. I woke up today super nervous and picturing the worst: people wandering around with plates of food and nowhere to sit down. No way!! OK whew ... I have time to fix this.

I'm going with my gut ... and all of you!

I don't know what the caterer is thinking ... she said it would be fine! But I want everyone to eat at the same time, so we can start the dancing at the same time ... and everyone will have hot food!

Worst case scenario: there just might be a table on the dance floor for the first hour, but we'll take it out before the dancing starts. That might look a little tacky or weird but better than people standing and eating!! Right??

You all have relieved my mind so much and helped me know to follow my gut .......... thank you!!! <3

And after reading a lot of the threads on here, I'm going to assign tables, but not seats.

I feel better already!!

I too am having a buffet dinner and having assigned seating.

We are having 76 guests (that includes me and fh).

I like that I am going to have it that way, so people can have a seat and eat comfortably. I am glad you will accommodate them. Good Luck! : )

@Amy, if you have to remove some tables to clear the dance floor, maybe you could add in a few high cocktail tables then. We're using a few during cocktail hour and we'll probably leave them in the indoor part of the venue where the cake is. They have a tiny footprint but allow people to have that "home base" and for a time when many guests are dancing or wandering, they offer enough areas to set down a glass/cake plate to chill for a bit.

I would definitely make sure there is a seat for everyone...we have to move tables to make a dance floor after dinner is done at our venue.

If you are not assigning tables, you actually need MORE seats than who RSVP'd

People will never get all the tables filled with an exact count. They will start to pull chairs to other tables and near the end you will have a group of 4 and only room for groups of 2 left. Or Group of 5 and only space for 2 and 3 - and they will need to split up.

If you want EXACT chairs, you should assign Tables.

~ good luck ~

You need a seat for every butt on your guest list, and assign tables b/c like Hayley said, if you don't you actually need EXTRA tables and chairs and centerpieces and whatnot.

You also need to fire your coordinator or stop listening to her advice. It's bad. lol.

If you do need to put a table in the middle of the dance floor - Maybe the table you move could be yours - you're probably not going to be sitting down much anyway.

You definitely need a seat for everyone. Most people will be sitting and eating at the same time. And even if they aren't, people drop jackets, purses, etc. on chairs to reserve them, and then no one else can sit at the seats so marked.

"Maybe the table you move could be yours" --- yessssssssssssssssssssssssss, Kris!!! That's it!!!!!!!! My whole idea of where we'd be sitting has flipped!!!!!! And of course ... this is perfect!!!!!!!!!!!

And cocktail tables is a great idea, Kathryn!!

All of you are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!!!! Done! I will be assigning tables and firing my coordinator ASAP!

#ireallycantfireherbecausesheworksfortherestaurantbutohwell

I have to add my voice to the others - I actually was at a wedding reception that was a buffet and seats/tables were not assigned. It was a nightmare! I would put my almost full glass down on the table and come back to find that someone was sitting in that seat AND they had used my glass as an ashtray - YUCK!

While you can't fire your coordinator, I would have a serious talk with her and take charge of the seating yourself (which it sounds like you are doing).

Love the idea of your table being the one on the dance floor - that way it is easy for people to see you and when the party starts, there will be less stuff on the table to move!

I agree with everyone, especially Linda. Not assigning seats (unless its a cocktail reception) is a disaster and awkward. I think its a great idea to just remove your table. Another option is possibly renting slimmer chairs. For example, most 72 inch rounds can accommodate 10 banquet chairs. If you rent slimmer chairs (around here we have a place called party rental) you can fit 12 chairs around a 72 inch table.

I agree that everyone should have a seat.

I cannot believe your coordinator told you this if fine. This is not fine. This is absolutely not fine! Every guest MUST have a seat. I agree with Sarah, getting slimmer chair is the fastest and easiest way to solve this problem.

Slimmer chairs! YES!!!

I just went though my list and figured out the table assignments ... it just depends on every table accommodating two more people ... so slimmer chairs is the answer for that!!!

The head table will be on the dance floor so when it's removed, we'll have our first dance while everyone is still sitting and watching ... PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amy I'm sure your Catering Sales Manager (also known as the wedding coordinator who works at the venue) can rent these for you and take care of the drop off and pick up....so you dont have to stress over the delivery details. I cant believe she didnt recommend this in the first place!

I was in a wedding where there were not enough seats for everyone and being part of the bridal party I allowed guests to have all the seats. I never ate cause it was not finger food and how would i eat it without a table to set it on, and i became very uncomfortable without a place to sit for a even a few seconds. Even if people get up.....at a wedding once you sit it kinda becomes your seat for the evening...so it was not like i could take the now empty seat, since that person will eventually come back. I ended up sitting on the stairs in the hallway for a while. It definitely was not the best situation.