Reception- assigned seating or not

Absolutely not a wrong thing to do. My sister got married in October and didn't have assigned searing. I plan on doing the same in September. It really just depends on if you think certain people shouldn't sit together.

I would assign tables, nothing is worse than wandering around trying to scramble for a seat in a dress and heels

Definitely assign tables, it is so much easier for the guests. You don't need to assign individual seats though. Ask each parental unit who they want at their table, don't split up wedding party from their SOs, and then just assign as appropriate for the rest of the group.

Yes, assign tables for all guests. Ever walk into a crowded cafeteria as a kid and not know where your friends are? Don't make your guests feel that way

I'm not assigning tables at all

Assign tables. It's awkward if people don't have direction of at least which table to go to. One couple will sit somewhere, another couple will sit somewhere else.... you'll end up having a few single spots at various tables and then couples/families who won't be able to sit next to each other at the same table. Assign at least tables, even if not seats.

I would assign tables. Think of how awkward it would be if you and your SO couldn't sit together because there were no more seats that allowed it.

Minimum assigned tables; unless everyone knows everyone.

I don't see why people don;t do this. Is it laziness or think it will be fun?

It is NOT fun to have to navigate and figure out where to sit for the night as a guest. Your guests will have a more fun night when they sit with people they know or like etc and as a host you are one of the best people to organize this.

Following this one for advice. My solution was to have tables reserved for family and guests of people in the wedding and leave the rest of the seating open

Assign seatings or tables. Not only is it more comfortable for your guests, but you'll make the best use of space. I went to a wedding without assigned seating and more than enough chairs for everyone, a lot of tables in the front were half empty and people had to find tables far in the back, and it just looked awkward.

There have been a lot of posts on this in the past few days - overwhelming response is to at least assign tables. It is a guest comfort thing. Lots of posters on WW (myself included) have said that if it was too hard to find a spot they would leave the wedding. It doesn't take that much time and significantly increases guest comfort.

The last wedding I went to had reserved tables for family and open seating. It was a mess. Guests didn't care that they weren't family and sat at the reserved family table. Close family of the bride had to sit at the tables at the far end because they were late arriving due to pictures. It was literally a free for all at the tables.

We only have 15 guests, and I'm going to assign tables (still trying to convince FH we need a seating chart). Most everyone there will know each other (all our guests are family), except for MOH and her husband. We're doing a sweetheart table, and I'm going to put my MOH and her husband with my mom (since MOH at least knows her).

No table assignments is a huge clusterfuck. Please assign tables

Thanks everyone for the advise. I will assign tables.

Everyone coming does know each other.

There are just family issues where some family members don't talk to others and which friend is not talking to which friend on what day. It's nuts.

@Trish - all the more reason to assign tables. I know of some family dynamics at my wedding too so I plan to seat people according to that. Your guests will thank you and have a better time.

Thank you Trish, on behalf of your guests