Seating chart or open seating?

There are definitely a lot of negative opinions on this. It is considered to be bad etiquette to not at least assign tables. That way, families can sit together and couples will not be split up. If you do open seating, be prepared to rent extra tables and chairs (more $$&dollar to account for gaps in other tables.

Good etiquette would say to, at the very least, assign tables for everyone.

I am all for a seating chart. You're just pushing the stress onto your guests. Also, I think it's rude to reserve seating for only some of your guests.

Assign tables, at least. Having to search for an open seat as a guest is extremely stressful.

Unless the wedding is very small (< 30 guests), I'd advise creating a seating chart to assign tables. Without a seating chart, you guests may end up sitting at tables with people they don't know and groups/families may be split up.

We are doing table charts. I don't care who sits next to who but you need to be at your table.

Definitely assign tables. Open seating can cause a lot of stress for your guests

I hate having to search for open seats in a cafeteria and really don't want to have to worry about finding seats for DH and I to sit together at a wedding, and not even end up getting to sit with people we know or like because of all the confusion. It's so much nicer when I go to a wedding as a guest and I see that tables have been assigned because I know that the couple has thought about who is there from all of their friend groups and made sure to seat everyone with people they know and will have a good time with during dinner.

I remember one wedding where a friend of mine didn't get into the reception room as fast as some of our other friends and she came up to the table I was sitting at with other mutual friends and she was frantically looking for seats for her, her DH, and their two children, preferably with people they knew. She looked heartbroken when she realized our table was full and looking around the room, there were several other tables that had also filled up. Assign tables so you can make sure families and couples don't get split up.

Please assign tables!

Okay thank you everyone for your opinion. Much appreciated. I guess I was looking at the standpoint from all the weddings I've been to where I was assigned to sit at tables where I didn't know anyone or away from my friends because they had significant others and I didn't (at the time). I was miserable lol. I definitely think the table idea is a happy medium.

Seating chart

I have never been to a wedding with a seating chart. I have never had an issue with it.

Assigned tables. ETA: Take the time to make sure everyone has someone they know at their table. Every table does not have to be filled completely. I have several tables that have a couple of seats open.

Assign tables for everyone. Why reserve tables for just wedding party and parents?

You need to assign tables so that your guests aren't stressed out trying to find a seat.

Seating chart. Use the WW seating chart...soo easy.

I went to 2 weddings this month.. 1 wedding was no seating chart and I got to sit with my friends and the 2nd had a seating chart and although I felt special because they took the time to write my name I was separated from all my friends and felt award at a table with strangers that didn't speak much

Only issue i've ever seen with open seating is there not being enough seats available for everyone to sit

so if you go open - have enough for everyone

Unless you're doing all cocktails all might with loads of seating...

no. Assign tables.

Do the table assignment. It makes everything so much easier on guests. Yes it adds to the to do list and cabbage stressful but having people not knowing where to go and possibly being forced to sit by others they may not get along with could be more of a headache than the seating chart itself.

I'm doing assigned tables so guests aren't stressed. I've heard good things about it