Seating chart vs No seating chart

If you're only inviting family, no seating chart would probably work just fine. If you're inviting friends, it might be a little awkward. Personally, I like being told where to sit.

ETA: does your bridal party have significant others that are being invited? Make sure you let them sit together at the reception.

I would suggest doing one even though it seems every one is comfortable with each other. People like to sit with their SO and then if there's only one spot left at one table and one at a different table...it can get messy. It's easier for your sake so you don't have guests upset that they can't sit with their SO due to lack of availability at a table.

Holy redundancy wow

I'm all for seating charts! They eliminate any confusion or discomfort on the day!

I think anything over 30 needs a seating chart, or it will get crazy.

ETA: I would only assign tables if you are doing a buffet.

Please do a seating chart.

It also depends on what your catering style is. If it's buffet, seating doesn't matter as much; if it's plated, you absolutely need to do a seating chart.

That being said, I found that a seating chart immensely helped. We had a few guests who only knew a few other guests, if any, and having a specified table helped start conversations. Also keep in mind that without a seating chart, you will need to provide more tables and chairs than guests, since people often don't want to sit with people they don't know and will spread out among more tables.

Depending on how large your guest count is, it'll probably help with a little havock/confusion that might ensue with everyone trying to find a seat, especially with their SO or family.

Piggybacking on Emily R-- Unless you have a venue that will have plenty of tables and extra seats- I think you need a seating chart. Think of a full movie theatre when looking for two seats together.

You'll get a lot a responses like "please do a seating chart, its awkward without one." But at the end of the day you know your guests. We won't have a seating chart simply because no one will follow it. Everyone will end up sitting wherever they want with whoever they want. Plus you already said your families get along, so I'd imagine I'd be the same at your wedding.

I think seating charts eliminate any unwanted confusion for people.

FH & I are telling people which tables to sit at, from there they can pick whichever seat they want.

Definitely a seating chart at least assigning people tables.

Please have at least people assigned to tables. Unless you are going to have lots of excess seats available.

My worst wedding guest experience was at a friends wedding where there was open seating. No one would let me and FH sit at "their" table. When we did find open spots, we ended up being displaced when other people showed up. We ended up sitting at a picnic table outside, in the heat and humidity far away from the reception. We felt very unwelcome.

Definitely do a seating chart and at least assign tables. We also had about 100 people and buffet - it's still awkward to try to find enough open seats at a table for your group/family when there's not one. Plus, you want to make sure that people involved with photos (i.e. parents and siblings) don't end up seated at the back.

I've been to weddings with and without - it's always, always smoother when there is one.

We're assigning tables to eliminate awkwardness. If not doing a chart of any kind, I'd recommend a few extra tables. If a family of 5 sits somewhere, and 2 couples want to sit together, they're going to take a whole different table which could easily get out of hand.

I think you should do one at least assigning tables...it eliminates alot of confusion for your guests. Also, what if you happen to have a family of 6 who might happen to be one of the last people into the reception room and all tables are full except for one with 2 seats, another with 3 and one with 1 seat...then that family has to split up which is super weird and inconvenient for them. Do what you can to make this as enjoyable as possible for your guests...which I believe includes making sure families can sit together. We had just under 200 guests, nearly half of which were DH's family who he said he was 99% sure that none of them had ever been to a wedding where seating charts were involved and was worried none of them would follow it, let alone even know to look for one. Guess what? Everyone figured it out and ended up at the right tables Tip: Our coordinator suggested having 2 charts available to display if you are in a rather large space...one somewhere near where guests will be entering the space and another near the bar during cocktail hour. That gives you the best chance at everyone seeing it and not having everyone crowding around just one.

Great idea!

Yeah, great idea!

It's a great idea!

I am in the minority here. I have never been to a wedding with assigned anything. There has never been any issues. The key is the extra seating and making sure that you have a few reserved tables for parents, grandparents and wedding party. Another note is that it usually works better with long rectangle tables over round tables.