Seating chart for 900 people..HELP!

Holy crap - I don't even know 900 people!

Maybe have several large boards with an alphabetized list of guests name - the same thing on every board just several throughout the reception hall. Listing by name goes much faster than by table.

Pull names out of a hat?

Don't use one chart - it'll be create a serious and horrible bottleneck. You'll have to have multiple locations/desks with specified letters A-F, G-M, and so forth. And go by last name.

You poor poor soul. I would just let people choose their own seats because that sounds like a chore. But best advice I can give you is have a bottle of asprin nearby when you do it.

My advice - figure out how many tables you have, how many people sit at each table - make an excel spreadsheet that has the table numbers and a grey line that shows the last available seat at that table.

Start putting your family together, your friends, make groups out of people that you know like to be together and slowly work your way through the guest list. Cross referecne with your guest list and make sure once you put a person down - they are marked as having a seat on your guest list!! VERY IMPORTANT!

We are definitely going to assign people to tables (numbered) and not actual seats. There will be 90 tables total. I've been given the idea of multiple charts on easels but it's outside in Maui....what if it's windy?!?!?!

And just to clarify: I need advice on the guests picking up their name card and directing them to their tables........what's the easiset method of getting them to their seats in a sea of bodies everywhere?

I've been to functions (not weddings) with 1,000 people. I would suggest having multiple charts ( talk to venue about best way to display. I would assume they have experience). I would also recommend a "check in" desk. Have someone(s) there with list to look up

Okay then you want to have it done alphabetically, by last name like OTW suggested. That way multiple lines will be going through at once. You can do paper charts in frames if you would like then they won't blow over. That or have something heavy attached to each escort card - or in my case we are using push pins to hold escort cards to a cork board.

I would seriously suggest hiring an event management service for this type of wedding. You will need professionals who have experience in managing large corporate events. Speak to your venue manager. If the venue can accommodate this many people, they will have connections with people who can make them run smoothly.

Then I'd hire someone to write the thank you cards.

I agree with Centerpiece flowers. Even if you don't hire someone you should consider recruiting some dedicated friends for check in. Normally I wouldn't suggest " hiring " friends, but you might need it.

You can still have some boards around like CeCe suggested, but people are going to have questions, and you'll need people with answers.

I would not do individual placement cards, I will have charts with the names listed alphabetically

With 90 tables, you're also going to want a table plan for people to reference. I know I'm not going to want to wander around looking for Table #42 out of 90. I think the best idea suggested is to have the "check-in" desk to get their table assignment. And then just have the boards for the table locations.

Or hire pros to take care of this.

I would hire a wedding planner

Holy Moly! I've got a headache just thinking about that! Good Luck!

Hire a wedding planner or have a few people " directing traffic" That's a lot of people and it could end up taking forever just to get everyone seated.

Whoa!! 900!! Man, I don't even KNOW 900 people. probably not even half of that. I couldn't imagine trying to seat all of those people!!

If I were you, I'd hire someone to do it for you!

I agree with others that a planning service would be extremely useful with this large of a crowd. You can have ushers to assist with seating guests according to your plan. I would recommend assigning tables, not seats, specifically. Consider your theme and create something sturdy that can be placed in an open area near the entrance to your reception like doors, fencing, etc.

You could also consider providing their seating cards by mail before they arrive. The last photo is a sport themed ticket, but you could do something like a boarding pass instead?

Here are some helpful links:

http://apracticalwedding.com/2013/08/wedding-seating-chart-tips/

http://www.pinterest.com/kaylamarnach/seatingchart-ideas/

http://www.bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-reception/seating-chart-ideas

At that point, a fucking lottery, draw a table number and sit your ass down.

^^ LOVE it! LOL