Half Seating Chart/half Open Seating

I would atleast assign tables. Other wise guests will get that awkward new kid at a hs cafeteria feeling. They also may leave gaps, causing you to need more tables, linens , centerpieces etc. And upping your expenses.

I went to a wedding where they assigned some to family tables but I was not at one of those tables so I ended up on the second level of a barn with no dang ac in August...no one up there was happy lol. We felt like second class citizens. Please assign tables for everyone.

I think in theory it would work but in that moment, it's very awkward and will cause more issues than intended.

You may have uneven number of seats at tables, you may have unwanted gaps and open chairs, you may even just have people standing around not knowing where to sit.

By having at least some type of assigning done, it eliminates these issues!

Please don't do this. You don't need to assign seats, but assign tables. No one should have to wonder if there is enough seats for them and their partner or family.

Assign tables. Open seating does not work.

Assign tables. It will be super awkward for guests otherwise.

That sounds tiered. People will feel like only the important guests got assigned seats. DO all or none, but people generally prefer having at least tables assigned.

I would just assign tables for everyone. That will be confusing if some guests are on the seating chart and others aren't.

You need to commit to assigning all tables or totally open seating. (i know open seating is a UO here--we did it and our experience was positive but i understand why many people wouldn't do it.)

Assign table. People will low key complain about this during your wedding.

What is the purpose of doing this? This is weird. Just assign tables.

Echoing everyone else...assign tables. Do not create a tiered reception where some of your guests are treated better than the others.

There was a vendor who used to say something like the “wedding Hunger Games” in reference to weddings without some sort of table arrangements. Do the work and assign tables. Your guests will appreciate it. You risk guests walking around aimlessly if they can’t get a seat right away, families or couples may be split, and there will be general confusion and frustration. An organized wedding is an enjoyable one.

And if you’re still not convinced...remember trying to find a seat in middle school and high school? Yeah, no one wants to feel like they’re awkward pre-teens/teens again.

I was at a wedding where this was the plan but wasn’t well executed. None of the family or bridal party sat in their designated sections so then it was a complete free for all. It felt like a middle school cafeteria. We literally walked around with our plates from the buffet searching aimlessly for a place to sit.

In short, please assign tables!

View Quoted Comment

Having a different opinion than you is not being rude. It's called life.

Some of the members here have a lot of experience and new members can benefit from the wisdom of that experience.

It's great that in your experience the guests were so mature, but many people have had different experiences.

if you don't assign tables, most venues also advise you to have extra tables, to take care of the problems that can arise when people don't properly fill up a table. That also means extra linens, cutlery, china, glassware, centerpieces, candles. These are unnecessary extra costs that can be eliminated simply by assigning tables.

Authorities on etiquette greater than you and I, also recommend assigning tables and not having tiered seating, where some people are treated differently than others.

View Quoted Comment No one has been rude. OP asked for opinions, not validation. Next time, try reading the original post.

View Quoted Comment It’s not about your guests being mature adults. In my case, I doubt 150 people would divide themselves up neatly into groups of 8-10. So when they don’t do that and leave 1-2 empty seats at a table, other guests can’t sit there and people either end up standing or being spilt off from their significant other, plus one, or other family member(s). This is a problem if you only have enough seats for the exact number of guests, which most people do.

Every wedding I’ve been to that didn’t hve assigned seating was awkward and felt like the hunger games trying to find a seat. The times where I didn’t really know anyone were really uncomfortable because I didn’t know where to sit or who to sit with, and I actually considered leaving the reception because it caused me a lot of anxiety.

Assign tables I went to a wedding and there was no assigned tables and let's just say everyone was confused. Loved ones including great aunt's had to sit outside in October cold.

Thanks everyone this discussion has just helped me tremendously

I guess I'm going against the grain here but my best friend did this at her wedding and it worked fine. She had reserved signs on the tables for immediate family and the wedding party and then put the rest of the tables together and everyone sat where they wanted. Some people asked for others to move down a seat but it was fine after that. Sure it would be easier for the guests for you to just assign seats but it's not impossible to do what you're thinking.