Partial seating? Yes or no?

What do mean by partial seating? If you mean not enough chairs for every guest, that would be a hard no.

View Quoted Comment There would be chairs for everyone just not as many tables. Ceremony and reception may be in the same room. If it's not too hot there will be outdoor ceremony and indoor reception.

View Quoted Comment So if the weather is bad some people just have to eat dinner on their laps? You should have table space and a chair for every body

It would be helpful if you gave more information before asking for opinions.

Traditionally receptions are standing with cake and punch. We're keeping it simple.

Just incase id go with tables and chairs for everyone, its too risky a place to try to save. Good luck with your decision!

View Quoted Comment There are more details in previous comments. I'm busy with babies too. Didn't have time to give all details when I posted.

View Quoted Comment My plan was originally to do that. I just wanted to explore alternatives.

If I attended a wedding reception and did not have a table and chair space I would feel like an after thought as though I was not important to the bride and groom.

That's a hard no.

130 is a lot of guests to just have mingling around. Is it just a cake and punch reception?

It's gonna be a no from me

I would encourage you to consider using different table heights and shapes if you are concerned about space, but it is important that each guest have the ability to sit and eat comfortably throughout your ceremony and reception.

If I was wearing heels, I wouldn't want to have to stand for all that long so I think enough seats for everyone is a nice thing, especially if you have older guests. Depending on what you're serving people to eat, a table for everyone to sit at may or may not be needed (a meal needs a table, just cake probably not). I've not been to a wedding where there wasn't a table/chair for everyone so I can't really comment. Search the forum on this topic as well as I know others have asked this in the few months I've been planning my wedding. Good Luck!

Basically, " a seat for every bottom" is considered a bare minimum for proper hosting, even for a cake and punch reception. I certainly wouldn't want to have to stand and try and eat cake- both DH and I are huge klutzes and this is a disaster waiting to happen for us. I would definitely have enough chairs and tables for everyone, but you coyld definitely consider mixed heights and shapes.

I would think having a seat with a table spot for everyone would make the most sense