Do we really need a seating chart?

Sit where you want to sit..

but my FH says assigned.. so im going to continue to listen to what is said.. LOL

I'm assigning seating, because I had a very bad experience at a friend's wedding where exactly what MJ Decorations said happened! We couldnt find two seats together, and didnt know anyone other than the bride. It was very uncomfortable. I dont like feeling awkward, so I'm assigning seats. However, my primary reason for doing so is that my parents both went to highschool together, and I have members of one side of the family that really dont get along with ones on the other, so it's nessecery to separate.

Not at all. i figured no one whos going hates each other enough, and i dont feel like spending the time. lol no reason to unless you need to put certain people far away from each other

Actually, im starting to rethink it after reading all of these... lol

I dont know still... i am only having around 50 people there If my great aunt shows up late i dont think it will be to hard for me to have one of my ladies in waiting to find a seat thats not to horrible. my fh says no seating chart but i really dont want an issue to happen because i didnt do it.

I think you will be fine with 50 people. If it's not too expensive, just add another table so that if people need to leave spaces between people they don't know and themselves, nobody is out sitting in a little corner.

We did a seating chart, right down to which chair at which table. It was like a puzzle, but I enjoy organizing and figuring it all out.

I have a lot of anxiety for some reason, so when at a wedding I prefer assigned seating. That way I know where to go and I don't have the pressure of finding a seat. And possibly sitting with strangers, or maybe picking a seat and then having someone at that table say they are saving the seat already. I stress about these things.

But also remember, when it comes to seating; it is only for dinner. Once the dinner is done and the music starts, people will go wherever and sit wherever and will be up moving around and mingling.

@yadayada thanks i will have more then enough tables set up just in case....

but i havent really been to a wedding with assigned table and am a little worried that my family will take it as me being to (cant think of the right word) ... too...pretentious i guess

We didn't have one and only had 2 reserved tables aside from the wedding party table. We didn't want to have to think that hard about who could/couldn't sit near someone else, so ppl sat themselves and all went well!!

You might want to consider having one or two tables in the front reserved for the parents, grandparents, and/or close family of the bride & groom. Other than that, it sounds like your situation doesn't really need it.

My sister did seating arrangements (or should I say I did it for her), and we are going to have them, but it isn't something everyone needs. I am just a person who likes to plan all the details.

Sassafras, if it's not a common thing in your circle then absolutely don't do it.

Ok thanks ^_^

No, you do not have to have a seating chart..

I do agree that you should have atleast the 2 parents tables, and then very close family upclose to you.

But besides that, it does add alot of stress..If you feel the guests will be fine, don't stress over making a seating chart.

It will all work out!

I've been to two weddings were I had a seating arrangement, I didn't mind at all! I think it's a great idea if you're going to have a lot of poeple there that won't anyone. That way you are able to seat them with people they will get along with. I want to do one so that our family and close friends get seated closer to the head table (our immediate families will get reserved tables) and that is anyone who decides to bring extra unwanted guests understand there is no place for them and perhaps show up at a wedding you're actually invited too.

That won't know anyone*

Its all close family and friends so everyone will know eachother so it wont be to awkward

If you will have a small, family-centered reception then odds are a seating chart would be completely unnecessary. However, if you will be combining several "groups" that are not acquainted with one another, you could end up with a high school cafeteria-esque situation with few people choosing to mingle and some outsiders sitting alone in the peripheries of the reception location. This is most likely going to be the case if you have family, college buddies, coworkers and neighbors of varying ages all attending your celebration with only one binding mutual friend - you.

If you want to establish some order and manage to avoid the rigidity of seating charts, try just assigning people to a table or section instead of a specific seat. Just keep types of people together. For example, put single 20 and 30 somethings at one table, all of the parents in a section, the seniors together and away from the dj and those most likely to drink with close access to the bar.