Seating chart?

Without a seating chart, you risk individual families or couples being split up. It’s also not budget friendly. You’ll need to provide 20% more tables, chairs, place settings, etc. since guests won’t seat themselves efficiently.

Yeah we aren’t doing a seating chart, I think they are an overkill and an added stress.

I would really do one. We had a small wedding with a buffet but it still made everything better socially and financially.

Depends on how many guests you’re expecting. I say anything less than 50-60ish its fine not to have one but anything more than that i would suggest doing it. You don’t want to risk families or couples having to sit separately or pull up extra chairs so they can sit together. We are having close to 130 guest so we’re definitely doing one. Good luck ❤️

I personally wouldn’t not have one but if you’re going that route I’d just make sure you have 20% more tables, chairs, place settings etc than people.

Honestly, opting out of a seating chart causes more stress than just making one.

Yes I agree with PP, it is a time- money- and life-saver for the organization and flow of your reception

I Think Its Good For Organization But If Youre Having A Smaller Wedding, Say Less Then 30 Guests I Dont Think Its Needed.

Even with a small group, seating charts allow you to separate possible dramas, plan the layout of tables, and ensure family groups don't split up.

If you think your crowd won't need that, that's fine, but most crowds do.

I am always for team seating chart

I highly suggest having a seating chart for your reception. It ensures couples/families do not get split up and that there are not empty seats left at tables. It also prevents your reception turning into a cluster.

We're not doing a seating chart because we're catering and serving the soup kitchen as a wedding party. Don't want what little family we have coming to be separate from the other people. Allowing people to mix, mingle, and be comfortable wherever they want to sit, sounds inviting. Hope that helps.

I wasn't going to do one mainly because I'd rather not tell anyone where to sit and I honestly don't need that added stress to my life. Reading the responses makes me wonder if we should change our minds about this?

We are also doing a buffet style, but everything about my wedding is quite informal. I still invited about 140 people, but I am not doing a seating chart. I have told everyone that we are basically just throwing a party to share in the day with everyone, especially the out of towners, and you don't have seating charts at parties. The only formal thing we are doing are the dances, and that's it. We also want to be present and take part in every moment of our wedding, so we are going to be there when it starts to greet everyone. We are not doing a formal cocktail hour, but the food will be available about 45 minutes to an hour after the start of the party/reception. The guests can serve themselves and seat themselves. At a wedding, even with seating charts, everyone gets up and moves around. So sit with whomever you choose, or don't sit and dance the night away! No seating chart for me! I also told the guests they don't need to dress formally. I don't care what they wear as long as they are there... and not naked. But, I still put the suggested attire as "smart casual" for those that need a little more direction. I just want to throw a party with everyone I want to share the day with. Let's see how it goes! :-)

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Depends on what kind of wedding you are having, it seems like. I am not stressing it since I'm basically throwing a party for mine. They can feed themselves and seat themselves. Everyone always hates where you place the anyway...

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Ours isn't too formal too as I don't want anyone to be too uncomfortable and I didn't want to add to my stress to assign seats. I personally didn't think it was necessary so thank you for reassuring me.

View Quoted Comment Many people have been reminding me that it's my wedding and my fiance's wedding, so just do what we want without worrying about everyone else. There are so many stresses and people coming that not everyone is going to be happy, but let's make sure we are happy on our day! :-)

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Both parents have also been telling us that it's our day and we can do what we want, we don't have to please everyone (that's an impossible task). So knowing this, we won't go with a seating chart & let people sit where they want. If they want to mingle then they can, but that's really not up to me to decide.

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"We're catering and serving the soup kitchen as a wedding party." What does that mean? And how would having a seating chart mean that your family would be separate from the other people? Your post confuses me.

We're not doing a seating chart and neither did my sister. It worked out great because people sat where they wanted for dinner, but most people were dancing all night anyways so she was really happy she didn't waste time planning a seating chart.