Seating Chart or Opening Seating, and NO-Shows

As others have said...I highly recommend a seating chart. Also the percentage of people that RSVP yes and don't show up is maybe closer to like 3-5% (but depends on the wedding). If you REALLY want to save money, then ask your caterer "I'm wondering if people RSVP no but then tell me they can make it last minute, can you accommodate them?" When we asked this question most venues said they prepare enough food for an extra 3% of the total. So if that is the case you could tell them 185 people are coming and then the day of if you have people that don't make it you won't be out as much money but then if everyone does make it they'll have enough food. I wouldn't recommend lying like this, but it's an option if you want to take it.

We didn't have anyone no show. We had some No rsvps but I don't think that was even 10% of people invited.

Assign tables. Your guest list is too large to have people wandering around trying to figure out where to sit.

I have never heard of this 10-20% no show rate you read about. Sure, maybe ONE OR TWO people may not show up, but the chances of 40 people just not showing up to your wedding is really slim.

I think the 10-20% rate refers to declines, not no-shows. That seems more reasonable. Sure, there are always a few no-shows for any event, however formal, but not that high. Especially for a formal wedding with a sit-down dinner where people have to RSVP.

Also, to B -- THANK YOU!!! I'm so glad there is someone else on this board who feels the same way I do on the open seating issue. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but it is nice to know I'm not completely alone in my opinion.

I've worked a lot of events (weddings included$ and have never seen a no show percentage that high. The only time I saw over 10 people no show was at a 200 event in a part of town that was difficult to park in and that started 45 minutes late on a Sunday.

I would assign tables, not seats. I'm having an open seating at the ceremony and thought to do it again for the reception, but after a wedding that I've been to, I highly suggest assigning tables. There were two "reserved" tables, but no names listed. So random people thought that they were reserved for them and everyone was asking me where to sit. It was very confusing. Luckily, there are many easy and cute ways to do this. And like others have said it shouldn't be difficult to sit down and just think of who meshes with who. I'm personally gonna stick with groups of families and then see who's leftover and play with it a bit. Good luck!

Honestly what I'm scared of is people saying No to the RSVP and showing up or people writing a 2 and bring 4. That's scaring the crap outta me! It just messes with everything (not enough food/seating) and I'd hope that people wouldn't be that inconsiderate, but you never know. I guess that I will have to wait and see!

I just got married last weekend. We did assigned tables but not seats. We had 163 people RSVP and about 20 people didn't show up. It adds up when yout paying per plate, to rent the chair covers and sashes. I had the same fear of folks bringing extra guests and also people not showing up. If possible I suggest paying per chair but only paying for a certain amount of meals. That way the seats are available if they all do show up but it not you didn't pay for all those people.