No seating plan!

I'm planning on doing the exact same thing!! Minus reserved tables for bridal party and parents.

Bad idea. If you don't have a seating plan, you need to plan for two or three extra tables because people won't automatically fit themselves neatly into groups of 10. It'll be a mad dash for the best tables and your family members might get screwed out of seats near you. I was at a wedding with no seating plan once and there were people readjusting seats so that there ended up being a few tables of 11 or 12 and a couple tables of 3 or 4. It was a nightmare.

We considered that. But then realized family members may be insulted if they're stuck all the way in the back of the room and not closer to us as is tradition.

I do suggest if you're really adamant about this, have a few "reserved for Bride's/Groom's Family" signs so at least grandma isn't stuck in a corner.

The reason that to have a seating chart is so that people don't feel left out, though, and that a 20 something gay couple doesn't get stuck with someone's grandparents.

With 120 people, you need a seating plan. Yes, people on here have been to weddings with no assigned tables and they almost always end up in chaos with people scrambling for empty chairs in addition to trying to sit with people they know and like.

It's a courtesy to guests and your reception with run more smoothly if you assign tables.

Nope, families and couples can easily get split up without a seating plan. Also, for those who dont know many other guests it can be pretty awkward. I'd be salty af if I got stuck at a table full of strangers without my FH...eta: words

You don't need to assign seats, but you do need to assign tables. I assume your guests are polite enough to make room at tables they are already assigned to so that people can sit next to their family/friends.

Just to clarify, I am reserving 4 tables closest to the front for parents, grandparents, siblings, and bridal party.

We are not assigning tables. We will have reserved for wedding party and their families, parents and grandparents. We have extra tables but also our tables are 3-8' tables end to end . Assigned anything is just not the norm here and it's a very casual wedding.

Nope, reserving tables isn't enough.

...so, then, it's just a mad dash for the best non-reserved tables.

Bad idea. Assign tables at least.

So reserving tables for some and letting everyone else mad dash to tables in order sit with their family/SO.....sounds like a great idea

Agree with assigning tables at least. You want some sort of organization...otherwise you will end up with chaos and people not finding seats with people they want because their won't be enough open seats left over if you let them choose.

Where I am from, people don't really do seating plans (I have never been to a wedding that had a seating plan). FH is not really sure how people will like being told where to sit so we are still debating on it. If we do then I'll put people who know each other together. If not, we will be doing extra tables and reserving tables for family.

Please have assigned tables. Families get split up and awkward situations can arise. I was in a wedding without reserved seats. 2 30 something men got stuck sitting at a table with a bunch of middle schoolers. It makes it so much easier for your guests if you assign tables.

Thank you for all of the SUPPORT and POSITIVE VIBES people. really, i appreciate it...

For those that have given advise with out crust. Thank you very much lol!

This makes people crazy and confused, and usually results in half tables and not enough seating.

Tell them where to sit; it makes the beginning of the reception far less chaotic. I know it's a pain, but really, it's necessary.

Im sensing sarcasm from the OP.....did you just wanna hear "its your wedding do what you want"

Please, I beg of you, have assigned tables! I've been to a wedding that didn't have any assignments, and my FH was the best man. Guess who had to sit at a table awkwardly without anyone I knew? Yup. ME. Please at least have assigned tables that way no one has to feel awkward if they don't know anyone. There also isn't the whole 'saving seats' thing or couples getting broken up because there was only one seat available at a table. So much less stress for your guests.