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Just Said Yes October 2019

Mixed Seating for Food Truck Wedding

Emma, on January 6, 2018 at 12:43 PM Posted in Etiquette and Advice 0 15

Has anyone been to a wedding that had a mix of traditional seating (low tables) and high top bistro tables? If so, what did you like/not like about the arrangement? My fiance and I are trying to plan a more laid back, non-traditional wedding and are trying to find a venue that really fits us. We're still checking out venues, we found one that we LOVE, only it's a bit small to do a traditional sit down dinner, so we were thinking of bringing in food trucks (both of us prefer the idea of food trucks over traditional catering), tenting the patio, and having a mix of some traditional seating inside and bistro tables on the patio. Thoughts?

Also, if we do end up going with this approach, would it be ok to only have traditional seating for ~3/4 of the guests and then have benches/other seating options scattered throughout the venue?

15 Comments

Latest activity by A. L., on January 7, 2018 at 10:30 AM
  • rica
    VIP September 2018
    rica ·
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    Are you planning on doing a seating chart? I would personally like the layout, but I think most older guests wouldn't be able to sit at the high tables. Make sure they get traditional seating.

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  • C
    Master July 2018
    Cuoghi ·
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    Sounds like a good idea to have mixed tables I guess the one thing I would avoid would be couches because although they are more comfortable they are kind of hard to eat something that may come from a food truck but maybe that is just me
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  • E
    Just Said Yes October 2019
    Emma ·
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    Probably? We're inviting ~150, but only expecting ~120 to come (probably less, because a lot are out of state). Of the ~120, I'd say only 40-50 are older guests and/or guests with children who might want a "home base." I think we'l have room for around 60 seated indoors and 30 seated on the patio + the bistro tables. The venue that we're looking at is a pump house for an old steel mill, so the building is split in 2: 1/2 is open for traditional events and the other 1/2 (which we'd have access to) has large openings in the floor (with railings, obviously) so that you can see the old machinery underneath. We're thinking of placing some benches along these walkways so that people can stay indoors, but also have places to sit

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  • OliviaP
    Devoted June 2018
    OliviaP ·
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    You need actual seats for every butt. I wouldn’t want to balance a drink and plate of food while sitting on an uncomfortable bench. If you’re inviting 150, you should plan seating for 150 until all your RSVPs are in.
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  • Lisa
    Dedicated August 2018
    Lisa ·
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    We are doing a non traditional wedding also, if this helps you with anything our wedding will be outside in a large pavilion and we are having the food trucks set up in a u-shape with a couple tall tables set up in front of the trucks and round tables set up in the pavilion. I thought while they were doing cocktails people would like the tall tables to socialize around and when dinner is served they would have the regular tables to sit at or they could stand at the tall tables to if they choose to. Good luck with your planning Smiley smile
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  • GoodMOB
    April 2018
    GoodMOB ·
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    It's fun to think outside the "norm". But you do really need to have seats of some kind for every wedding guest.

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  • AbeFroman
    Devoted October 2018
    AbeFroman ·
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    I like floor layouts that include highboys but I do think there should be a seat for every person - if only so they have a place to leave their purses and jackets. Benches and couches are cute but it is difficult to eat at them, especially food truck food.

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  • muriel
    Champion June 2018
    muriel ·
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    Try having dinner one night standing at the counter and holding your coat, sweater and purse. See if it changes your perspective.

    High tops are ok for cocktail hour, not so great for mealtime.

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  • The Nuptials
    VIP July 2018
    The Nuptials ·
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    You need seats for every butt, large menus outside so guests know which trucks are serving what, and I would say 5-6 trucks. I went to a wedding this fall with 2 trucks and 120 guests and guests were in line for 30 minutes, not fun.

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  • The Nuptials
    VIP July 2018
    The Nuptials ·
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    Plus, who wants to get stuck balancing their meal in their lap (bench seating) while others get to have a table?

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  • Jacks
    Rockstar November 2054
    Jacks ·
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    Everyone needs a table space and a chair.

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  • Mcskipper
    Rockstar July 2018
    Mcskipper ·
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    You can’t do a seating chart and pick and choose who gets chairs and who eats at high tops. You don’t know whose feet hurt or whose backs hurt or who has a large bag they want to set down, so this set up surely does not work for a seating chart.


    I agree with the every butt gets a seat rule of thumb. I’m young, I’m healthy, but I desperately want a chair. I hate events where I have to fight for a seat, though I can’t say I’ve been to a wedding like this ever. I think most of us have come across venues that feel “perfect” but end up just not being that way when it comes to logistics.
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  • E
    Super October 2017
    Emily ·
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    I would really suggest having a seat for every person and assigned seating if you can. Without assigned seating people group together in weird numbers and leave odd numbers of seats to be filled (just try making a seating chart and you'll see what I mean) because people will sit with people they know.

    Also, you cannot assume you know everyone's situation and whether or not they would want/need a seat at a normal table. My husband and I went to a wedding last June and part of the wedding was a lengthy ceremony sitting on the floor. No one knew and no one would guess because he is in his early 40s, but he had just had major vascular surgery in his leg and it would be dangerous for him to be standing too long or sitting on the floor. I contacted my friend, the groom, and asked if he could have a chair which they happily obliged - but point is, you can never assume you know someone's situation and what they can and cannot tolerate. Just remove the question and have a seat for all.

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  • A. L.
    Master July 2017
    A. L. ·
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    You need to have seating for every person who is going to be there. And you need to assign tables. Otherwise, do whatever.

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