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Dedicated September 2019

Cocktail Style Reception Seating

LJ, on November 23, 2018 at 10:29 PM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 13

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So we are having a cocktail style reception, meaning lots of butler-passed small bites, and several chef stations for heavier fare. Our venue explained that their typical setup for this style is seating for 60% of the headcount, so as to encourage people to get up and mingle, dance, etc. We like that in theory, but we want people to have a “home base” to be able to place their handbags, not have to search for a seat if they’re ready to sit and eat, and be able to sit with their friends/family. The venue can accommodate seating for everyone, but they seemed to feel most of it doesn’t get used for most of the evening.

So, we can:
1. Have open seating for a percentage of the guests, but reserve a few tables for key people (our parents, older and less mobile guests, etc). Benefit is more space for people to mingle, dance, check out the different food options.
2. Have open seating for everyone (I would probably include a seating chart assigning table numbers if we did this so that it doesn’t cause chaos for people unaccustomed to the format). Benefit is everyone has a seat at any given time.

Anyone who has had a cocktail style reception, do you have advice on this?

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Alexandra , on November 27, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Super May 2019
B11 · on November 23, 2018 at 11:06 PM
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Definitely assign tables. Every butt needs a seat!
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on November 23, 2018 at 11:23 PM
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Every guest should have a seat.
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Champion June 2019
Kenisha · on November 23, 2018 at 11:26 PM
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Yeah I’d highly suggest giving everyone a seat. Better to not need it but have it.
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Savvy March 2021
JENE' · on November 24, 2018 at 5:02 AM
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My first instinct is to suggest a seat for everyone. However, when I think of a true cocktail reception I envision people walking around mingling, eating appetizers and dancing not sitting in a seat. You will run the risk of everyone sitting around if you have that many seats.
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Savvy March 2021
JENE' · on November 24, 2018 at 5:09 AM
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A couple more thoughts lol.... Perhaps you can state on your invitation that a cocktail reception will follow the ceremony. People will then know what to expect.

Hopefully women won't lug huge heavy purses that need to be set down at a table/chair for the night. That is just craziness lol. It is easy to walk around with a simple clutch which is actually wedding guest attire.
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Savvy January 2019
Jennifer · on November 24, 2018 at 9:42 AM
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I am having a similar problem. Our venue is advertised for up to 120 people. We have invited 100. We will be having the ceremony there and then a buffet. It is a brewery with a bar area, some high top cocktail tables and 7 tables of 8 chairs.
I am thinking of assigning tables to immediate family and older guests. The venue has 72 chairs total so will have them all out for the ceremony.
I am a little stressed about not being able to provide a table for everyone.
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Dedicated September 2019
LJ · on November 24, 2018 at 5:55 PM
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Yes! Our reception minimum is 150 but the ceremony space (at the same venue!) can only seat 100. We decided to reserve seating for immediate family and the less mobile/elderly guests, and verbally ask some of our friends to lead the charge on the standing room. The reception space is stressing me a bit- they’re flexible, but going the more traditional route isn’t exactly consistent with our “vision.”
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Beginner June 2019
DaleNovella · on November 24, 2018 at 7:31 PM
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I went to a wedding last month that had the first option you described. It was fine. They had a few couches set up for people who didn't want to sit at any of the tables. There were two hosts that directed people from the reserved tables. The DJ was great, so there weren't a lot of people sitting down after the first hour. If you know you're guests are the type to be up and mingling, don't worry about the seating chart.
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Dedicated September 2019
LJ · on November 24, 2018 at 8:03 PM
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That’s really good to hear!!! Thank you for sharing- I hadn’t thought of the hosts helping to coordinate.
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VIP August 2019
Futuremrsk · on November 25, 2018 at 11:23 AM
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I would be asking the venue if they can provide more tables and chairs. If they cant, you need to call around and find a company to rent some from. It seems weird that they advertise for 120, but cant provide seating for 120. That's a major red flag to me. Every person that you invited should have a seat at a table, especially if you are doing a buffet. If I went to a wedding where a buffet was served and I didn't have a seat to be able to eat, I would leave.
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Savvy January 2019
Jennifer · on November 25, 2018 at 12:33 PM
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Yes, I know. I have one more month for RSVPs. Once I know what number to expect, I will be persuing it.
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Dedicated September 2019
LJ · on November 25, 2018 at 1:02 PM
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Ok, to clarify, I never said the venue can’t accommodate seating for everyone, in fact I specifically said that they can. I love my venue and this isn’t an issue with my venue. There are no red flags here, it’s simply a question.

My question was was whether anyone has had or has been to a true cocktail style reception where the seating was somewhat limited, and how it worked out. Because this is a more recent trend, my concern is for the comfort of my guests. I want to encourage mingling, without making anyone feel like they have nowhere to have their meal.
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Super December 2018
Alexandra · on November 27, 2018 at 2:35 PM
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I would have assigned tables to make sure that everybody has a seat, and also so that someone doesn't "take someone else's seat". (and prevent maybe people "loosing" their stuff...)
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