Is it really that bad to skip the seating chart?

In your case, you really don't need a seating chart because you have plenty of extra seating.

It won't be a problem. Typically the issue is that the tables are set for the number of guests and guests don't seat themselves efficiently. If you have place settings for 80 people and a 30 person guest list, you'll be fine.

You have plenty of surplus, you'll be fine. You may want to reserve a table for VIP family if you want parents/grandparents or wedding party at a specific place, but that's about it.

View Quoted Comment That was my thought but I guess all those “you MUST have a seating chart” comments around here got to me for a minute.

View Quoted Comment Thanks. This was my thought too. Odd anxiety took over a little while ago and I wondered if I really did need a seating chart.

View Quoted Comment No I think I’ll just let everyone settle where they’re comfortable. Not doing a head table or anything like that, but maybe a sweetheart table.

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I thought as much. Just was trying to guess the only exception I might see. I love the small reception btw. It's going to be so nice.

I'm trying to decide on this same issue lol but we are having between 70 to 90 guest.

Agreed - you'll have few enough people and plenty of extra seating, so you should be fine with no seating chart. With a larger group (and especially without so much extra seating) I'd definitely recommend assigning tables.

View Quoted Comment It’s a super casual beach wedding & reception with a super small guest list. I’m hoping it turns out the way I’m picturing!

View Quoted Comment Wow, that seems like a huge wedding to me even though I know it’s still below average.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, I think I just needed the reassurance that I’m not crazy to let people find their own seat.

View Quoted Comment Personally I wanted a small wedding 50 ppl Max but he has a huge family, 5 uncle's which most have families of their own and be felt if we invited bone uncle we needed to invite them all. Then when I went to my best friends brothers wedding their family found out and told me personally that they better get an invite since I'm practically a daughter to them lmao

View Quoted Comment Oh that’s a big no thanks from me. I am still debating on a couple friends that I’m not as close with as I used to be, but that’s it. The rest of the guest list has been pretty well locked in for a year, with me as the gatekeeper of no, we’re not inviting this one or that one or the other.

View Quoted Comment I was planning on inviting some of her family anyways but only the ones I'm actually close too, we already invited all his uncle's and only the cousins who still lives with them and ones we see during the holidays because to invite all of them would mean over 100 guest

View Quoted Comment Fortunately for me, at least for guest count purposes, I’m not close to most of my extended family. Although now you have me wondering if I should invite MOH’s parents. They’ve known me for 17 years but I wouldn’t say we’re ‘close’. Friendly when we see each other though. Hmm.

Are you saying that your venue will have tables for 80 people prepared? Or does the venue accommodate 80 and will set up for 30? If its the latter, I would still put out place cards, but if you have 80 seats for 30 ppl, then let them sit where they want.

View Quoted Comment The “venue” is a pavilion on the beach; the picnic tables are bolted to the ground. We’re doing a buffet dinner so people will get their utensils and napkins while getting their food. We have made enough centerpieces to put one on each table so people know they can spread out if they want.

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Definitely skip the seating chart and place cards...I can see them blowing all over the beach already. lol. Sounds like a beautiful and relaxing set up! Enjoy!

View Quoted Comment Thanks! We’re hoping for a relaxed vibe, nothing too high stress. Of course that means FH thinks he shouldn’t have to wear a tie. But suddenly I’m leaning towards the guys getting ties that match my ‘maids dresses.