Seating Arrangements

It's not necessary to assign seats, but assigning tables is beneficial for both you and your guests. It ensure that couples/families get to stay together and is more budget friendly. Without assigning tables, you'll need to provide about 20% more tables, chairs, place settings, etc. since guests won't seat themselves efficiently.

I'm personally not a fan of seating arrangements, but it's a must if you are doing a planned meal where certain seat numbers are getting a certain meal (like if you had your guests choose between different protein options and they are being served). If you are doing buffet style or everyone is served the same thing, than I would reserve the people you want seated closest to sweetheart table and allow everyone else to sit where they please.

I would do assigned tables rather than assigned seats. Assigned tables prevents your reception from turning into a cluster, but still allows your guests some freedom to sit next to who they wish at their table.

Without a seating chart of any kind, you will run a risk of couples/families not being able to sit together or vacant seats being left at tables.

For the ceremony we reserved the front row for family. For the reception we assigned tables. I was going to do assigned seats, and even handmade cute little place cards for everyone, but a few weeks before one of the families who took up a whole table declined with no notice. So we quickly had to call our friend who made the seating chart sign, coordinate with the venue who we were about to pay, and I was too tired to switch around assigned seats lol! Long story short save yourself time and extra stress and just do assigned tables!

I would say yes. We are assigning tables. It allows families to sit together and have seats closer to our sweetheart table, and allow for seats to not be skipped!

We're assigning tables since we have 150 guests and open seating would just be chaotic.

I am all for team assigned tables

100% assigned tables. This way families/couples are kept together, singletons aren't left out, and you can control how many tables you need.

I'm also team sweetheart table, which allows your BP to sit with their families/SOs, and gives you and your new spouse a precious few moments together.

We did assigned seats since we did plated meals wane had guests with crazy dietary needs.


At the very least, I would do assigned tables!