Buffet Reception- Seating arrangement?

I'm not doing anything. I've decided they can sit where they want. And really the only thing you can do is making a seat chart for them

We are having a seating plan, since it's only 40 people. We ordered wood name place cards on Etsy. And we'll just have it at each seat so they know who goes where.

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Aw, that sounds so cute! Wonderful. I hope you have an absolutely fantastic wedding!!

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Okay, thank you for your advice!

OMG this is perfect timing for this question. I'm at the point in my planning (9/15/18 is the date) where I have to submit all of this stuff to my planner and caterer, etc.

I have gone back and forth on this so many times. Seating chart? No seating chart? What?!!! Aaaahhh! My planner is strongly encouraging table assignments for the entire guest list.

I did actually create an entire seating chart with just table assignments. The plan was for the DJ to announce specific tables to proceed to the buffet to keep the lines down and things organized. BUT honestly, I kept ending up with a few odd empty spots at the tables which meant I would add more tables to account for it. It became too overwhelming for me, and my space can only accommodate so many tables. So I'm opting for a compromise of sorts.

I am still using table numbers so we can send people to eat in an orderly fashion. But I'm only assigning certain people to a small number of "reserved" tables. So my head table which will be bridal party & their spouses, plus two other tables for our parents/immediate family will all be specifically assigned. Everything else will be a seat-yourself and they can work it out. MOST people know each other so it won't be too crazy.

Honestly I've been to a million weddings of all types - assigned seating, assigned tables, nothing assigned... I've never had a problem finding a seat or dealing with awkwardness.

I’m using an old door that I turned in to a coat rack for my house. I’m wrapping twine and lights around it and then using painted clothes pins to pin table assignments and pictures up.

We're having a BBQ buffet and we are not doing any assigned seating. The guests are all adults and can choose their own seats.

We are doing a buffet style reception and will be doing a seating chart. Knowing our guests, it'd be easier to just do a seating chart as opposed to splitting up the groups we know are comfortable with each other. We will just have a poster board with name on it.

I'm doing a buffet and I'm not assigning seats. I'm letting them sit wherever they want and the DJ will let tables go up one by one.

We are doing a traditional seating chart, assigned tables & seats with a seating chart outside and escort cards at the table. They will sit to a plated salad, and from there will go to the buffet.

We made table assignments.

I didn't want our LGBT friends getting stuck with the old school grandma that doesn't understand you can't make some comments.

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The DJ idea is pretty cool. I like that !

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Aw, that sounds wonderful!

We’re doing escort cards with the persons name and table number. But they can sit at any seat at that specific table.
DO NOT DISREGARD A SEATING CHART COMPLETELY. it will turn into a free for all. People will move chairs. Families will get split up. It’s baaaaaaaaad and frustrating for guests.

We are doing a buffet and will be assigning tables but not seats. Our DJ will announce which tables go up when and between he and the DOC they’ll assure things move along well.

We have about 50 guests. We are not doing a "printed" seating chart because it is just one really long table with 25 people on each side. We will, however, have assigned seating. I am having their names painted on to a hexagon marble tile and placed at each plate. Once they are seated, a plated salad will be served to them. Once they are done with that, they can proceed to the buffet table. That should make things flow a bit easier.

We're doing a buffet and are assigning tables the same way we would if we were having a plated meal.

We are assigning tables not specific seats. We are placing all names on a mirror by table number.

We are doing table assignments using escort cards. People can choose their seat at that particular table and a few tables will be called up at a time for the buffet line.

We are assigning people to tables but not to seats. Each guest will get an escort card upon entering the venue that lists a table number, but they can place it at any seat at that table.

I think it's still important to do this with buffet, because how awkward would it be to have a plate in hand and nobody to sit with (middle school lunch room flashbacks!)