Seating chart is a P.I.T.A.

Normally you can't comfortably fit 12 people to a table. What size tables do you have?

I wouldn't squeeze 12 people at a table. Just keep it to 8 and put the other 4 from each table together. I'd keep the 4 close to the table you wanted to make 12. I hope that makes sense...

Not sure of the measurements, but we were orginally going to have 10-12 until we got less people attending. The guy at the venue suggested that number. But I can see how it would be too crowded, though...

Even 10 is pushing it unless they have 84"-96" tables. Curious why they would suggest that unless they do.

I'm having the same kind of problems with mine. It's still the early stages for me but I have grouped people together who I think will work out. My parents are divorced and if I keep them at separate tables with their sides of the family, I have a full table of 8 for my mom but only 4 people at my dad's. If I put them at the same table, I have too many (unless I get one pair of declines, which could happen.)

Do your tables fit 12 people? Mine fit 8-10.

Here's a sample of their tables, just to give an idea.

Got it. I wouldn't do more than 10, there will be no room with 12.

Okay, thank you. I'll try to figure something out. Wish me luck, lol.

Typically those round tables do not fit twelve. 10 at the most.

It's ok for tables to vary in numbers. Mine ranged from 6-10 people because of various friend groups and family combinations. You have to find what works best to ensure guests are sitting with people they know or will enjoy sitting with.

I worked at an Outback Steakhouse years ago where we had one round table that sat 8, and 2 round tables that sat six. On busy Friday and Saturday nights, and holidays, our jackass manager would squeeze several extra chairs for large parties, and they would be just squished. He would also play the music really loud if we had old people campers who wouldn't leave. It was all so awkward.

Moral of the story - don't be like my jackass manager.

I would ask the size of the tables the facility has before you start seating people. I work for a facility where weddings happen all the time. We have 60" tables which will seat 6-8 people. 72" tables will seat 8-10 people. If they have 84" tables you can do 12 people. 96" tables are huge and venues usually won't have them as they take up a lot of room, but you can sit 14 people around those.

Thank you very much. Aly, I will definitely ask my venue about the size of the tables.

I would do 10. There's not enough elbow room for 12 ppl.

Our tables could do 8-10 but since I hate being squished with no elbow room, I'm not putting more than 8. Once you find out the size of the table and what they recommend, make sure you factor in elbow room.