Releasing tables for buffet

If you're doing open seating, you could still label the tables with numbers. That way when everyone has a seat, you could release the tables by number.

My cousin had the tables released in this order: Immediate family, and bridal party, and then table numbers after that.

Unless you switch to assigned seating and arrange it by age, you probably can't make sure they go first. If you're releasing by tables, your best bet is probably to have an usher look things over and decide what order to release tables by who is sitting there, then let people go as the pace allows.

NUMBER THE TABLES. Even if you dont have table assignments for your guests, this still serves as an identifier for them to find the table easy. This way you can have the dj or (usually) servers provided by your reception venue/caterers are familiar with the drill and release the tables to prevent a long line of people just standing there.

And allowing children/seniors first never works...the parents of the children end up getting theirs as well, which tips off other people to get theres and the seniors sometimes can't see the buffet or take too long to get there and end up getting passed on the way to the buffet.

We often do a quick name that tune. Its fun and gets everyone loosened up!

We had 300 guests. It would have been insane not to assign tables. They would have taken way to long to decide where they wanted to sit and if there was space.

If you want kids and elders to go first, assign tables. Then have those tables called first. We had a server to help our patents and grandparents so they didn't have to go far.

I would recommend numbering the tables, even if it is open seating. Our Emcee started with the head table, and then had people, from the table that was going, pick the next table number out of a hat. It was cute, and it turned into something of a contest with tables cheering when their tables were called, and booing if it wasn't their table.

We are numbering the tables and the dj will announce the order.

Any one have any fun games? We did trivia at our last family reunion banquet. It was open seating, but with table numbers.

Our caterer dismisses the tables. They told us they prefer to do it because that makes it easier for them to swap out any empty dishes.

ETA: We will probably ask our DJ to make an announcement that guests are to remain seated until their table is dismissed.

Ok, thanks everyone, sounds like numbering the tables is probably going to be easiest. I just didn't want people to confuse people with the numbers and have them searching for a seating chart that doesn't exist.

Our caterer dismisses table-by-table. They told us they prefer to do it that way because it's less stressful on them.

We are doing a trivia to release tables. We have have 7 questions (8 tables) and whoever gets it right first gets to go to dinner first.