Reserved tables

You need to assign tables for everyone. It will be a hot mess if you don't.

ETA; people get really confused without them. Couples get split up if they are later & the only 2 chairs left are at separate tables. People will move chairs around or even stand up.

You don't need to assign specific seats but you should definitely assign tables. Not doing so could make it really awkward for guests and families/couples could end up getting seated at separate tables with people they don't know.

You need to have assigned tables.

Assign tables and this (and a bunch of other problems) will go away!

I have been told to tell people. Make it known there is no seating plan. Then just have "reserved" on the seats for close family and friends.

This is why you need to do assigned tables. Is it a pain to do? Yes. But don't make your guests try to figure out where to sit.

We have a table for immediate family and a table for the wedding party. Should I make table cards for those tables so there's no confusion?

Any advice on making the assigned seating?

I was thinking of doing the same. Now these comments are swaying me the other way. WW when on the computer has a seating generator. I have used it to plan my set up but not seating arrangments.

You need to make table cards for all tables. That's the only way to avoid any confusion. If I went to a wedding and me and H got stuck sitting at separate tables full of strangers, we'd probably leave after dinner. Unless you only have like 20 guests, you need to assign tables for everyone.

ETA: saw your update. It's really just playing around with numbers. Just make sure you're not splitting up families and couples. Once you start doing that, it'll kind of fall into place.

You and FH know your family best. Seat people you know they want to sit near. Friends with friends. 1st cousin table. Aunts/Uncles, etc.

For the love of all things holy, pure, and not totally fucking rude to your guests, have a seating chart.

Assigned tables are just fine - no need to assign actual seats. Just group people together. As a guest, knowing that when I walk into a reception I will have a seat next to people that I know takes away anxiety. I won't be jockeying for a seat with 80 other people, hoping that there are two open seats for FH and I. At the last wedding I went to, by the time we got into the reception area, people had already staked their claim. At most of the tables there was only 1 or 2 seats available, and not next to each other. Our group of 7 friends took turns sitting at the 4 open seats we could find. Some of them ate standing up.

MAKE A SEATING CHART.

I have the same concern. I was thinking keeping co-workers close and his family close and then mine close. Mine is a LOT smaller than his. I do think maybe I should put my parents and his together at a table.

Part of the problem with not assigning tables is you will need extra tables and chairs. Some tables will be full and others will be half full because people will be trying to sit by specific people. You might also end up causing people to sit by strangers or being split up from their loved ones by not assigning tables.

Assign tables! Please!!

I know you're trying to avoid the hassle of assigning tables, but you need to assign table. Period.

Please have a seating chart. I thought not having one would seem casual and laid back but after I thought about it and read on here, I realized it would be a clusterfuck. Recently, my best friend got married and didn't have a seating chart. People were taking chairs from other tables when you went for a drink so that they could get seats where they wanted. It was ridiculous.

Don't be ridiculous.

Should I have a sign that says there's assigned seating? I can't remember how the other weddings I went to did it

You can have a table in front of the reception entrance with place cards. It would have the persons name & table number.

Or you can have a sign with each table number & the people at each table listed below.

Assigned seating is a must if you want to avoid a train wreck.