Seating Chart vs. No Seating Chart

We aren’t doing assigned seats, but we are doing assigned tables. If you don’t assign at least tables you are going to need to have extra seating available. You’ll more then likely have empty seats.

Definitely do reserved tables. Guests can pick their own seats at that table. Reserved tables will make your reception flow smoother, it will prevent couples or families from getting separated, and it prevents you from having to buy/rent extra seats. Also, it allows you to place your family up front as you stated you want.

The way we are going to do the tables numbers is have the seating name cards on a table when you walk in organized by last name and then the table number will be on it as well

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That makes sense. Thank you!

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Thank you!! I think we are definitely going to do assigned tables. It is sounding like the best of both worlds.

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Yes, we did assigned tables and it worked out great! Kept the reception organized, but allowed people the freedom to sit next to you they wished at their table.

I am always on team assigned tables ! just makes things a lot easier for guests

We Have 60 Guests As Well And Will Have A Seating Chart To Keep Everything Organized.

So at first I was against a Seating chart. Like I get why people do them but I feel like everyone is grown & fully capable of seating themselves. I even made a sign that says “Now that we are together forever, feel free to sit wherever” I was going to have place cards available for people to write their names or write reserved on them. And if you do no seating chart you will need to have extra tables & extra chairs in case if you have odd numbers sitting at the tables or those that have big families. Ppl might move chairs around too.


But noww with covid as an issue we are doing a seating chart to separate everyone. We will put families at tables together and

*and we might put 4 ppl at a table. So we will be doing a seating chart for tables not seats. Im kind of dreading it tho lol. And we will have a few extra tables in case ppl show up who didn’t rsvp (which will most likely be DHs friends)

Yes you will need a seating chart. You dont want people picking their seats and then you'll have empty chairs and will have to put out more tables which will cost you more. If you only have 60 guests then a seating chart shouldn't be that bad. We have 100 and took us about an hour to figure out.

We aren’t doing assigned seating but are doing reserved tables in the front for immediate family ☺️

Even 60 guests can be quite a lot. You might want to consider if you're inviting any guests that might not know anyone. As others have said you can just assign a table and not a seat so people can at least pick their seats. That way you can make sure the people you are closer with such as family and friends can be closer to you guys and have others a little farther away.

We did assigned tables. If you don't, it becomes a free-for-all, people start moving around chairs, and try to cram more people than can fit... some poor sod gets stuck at a table nearly alone...

Because we did a more formal take on our theme - baseball - DH made up "line-ups" and we used those as our seating chart. You can make a seating chart as formal or informal as you like - it's a great way to get creative.

At the very least, assign people to tables and let them pick the seat. If you don't, you will have to rent more tables and chairs to make sure couples and families don't get separated.

I ended up doing a seating chart. We had two long banquet tables and then DH and I were at a sweetheart table. It took me about 90 minutes to do (using my wedding planner's app which just made it take longer) but my parents are divorced so it was important that I had everyone next to and across from someone they knew, as well as had a large enough gap in between my parents (who are cordial, but let's face it, still awkward around each other). I had my bridesmaids at the end of their table closest to me, and the groomsmen at the end of the other table closest to DH. It was so worth it at the end. I was complimented by a lot of people who appreciated the obvious time and effort I put into it. No one felt awkward or extra.