Seating charts.. thoughts?

@Stephanie that sounds like a clusterfuck

Stephanie, that is terrible to reserve tables for some, but not others. You are telling guests, publicly, that they are NOT the VIPs. Are you prepared to tell a second cousin, nope, you are not close family, go find a table. If it happened to me, I would be adjusting the size of the check in my card after it was made clear to me that I was a VUP (very unimportant person). I would hope you would not have just champagne or lobster for the head table. Are you reserving a table for the bridal party?

All the people saying, oh it ran smoothly. Maybe it ran smoothly for some of the people at the wedding. Most people who are hurt by going up to a table, and being told, nope, we are saving these seats, will not say anything.

If you do not assign tables, you will need 10-20% extra seats. That means more linens, more china, more space at venue. Otherwise, families and even couples might get separated.

I went to a wedding without a seating chart and have never felt so awkward or uncomfortable. We were friends with the bride, groom, best man and maid of honor - who were all sitting at their own table. We were forced to kind of just wander around and sit wherever.

This wedding also was a potluck and had port o'potties - let's just say we didn't stay long. I've never felt so out of place or uncomfortable in my life.

I personally hate weddings without seating charts. There are always large groups of people trying to cram themselves into one table, and then there's always the couple no one really knows that well who end up sitting at a table by themselves.

Take the little bit of time and at least assign tables.

Please assign tables.

I would say the seating chart is good to organize people instead of them standing around trying to find a seat but, during the reception people move will probably move around anyways. The seating chart can help with the part of the reception where the food is served as well. The only downfall is if you are inviting someone who might not know a lot of the people attending because its difficult to figure out where the best place is for them.

Assign tables. It's total chaos without them. seriously.

Glad OP has seen the light.

Don't believe Natasha for a second that there wasn't a problem. Not for a second. Someone was left out. Some family had to split up. OR, she had her reception set for far more than the 150 that attended. It's the only explanation.

Imagine entering a sold out movie and being the last 10 people who are looking for seats together for the number in their party. Yeah, don't believe for a second that it just happened to work out perfectly.

The bottom line is there is NO REASON not to do a seating chart other than laziness. Don't be lazy. You invited these people somewhere. Can you please take a few minutes to make sure they have the best experience possible?

And Stephanie's idea of only doing it for the VIP guest is just the biggest slap in the face for the rest of the people. Like, WHY? Honestly. WHAT is your reasoning? Other than not caring about the comfort of your guests? Please tell us. I'd love to hear what you've got.

You need a seating chart. Especially for that many guests. People actually like a little direction when it comes to social events like weddings. Assigning tables will ensure that people get to sit with who they came with.

Cons: You have to make a seating chart. LOL.

150 with no seating chart = Hunger Games: Wedding Edition

All pros, no cons. Seating chart always.

Always assign tables at least! You can do escort cards or a seating chart to then show guests which table they are seated at!

Ummm ok I'm about to probably say something really dumb. Won't most people move around anyway? I attended a wedding with a seating chart and it was almost like it didn't even matter because people were just moving where they wanted. It was a huge mess. This is my 2nd wedding next month my first was very small. Less than 60. I had no seating chart but plenty of seating. It was fine. I was planning to do the same thing as admittedly I'm lazy. I'm tired and stressed out this whole wedding planning thing is way hard.

@Futuremrswhite, without a seating chart you will definitely need extra seating. Extra seating means extra costs, such as flatware, lines, centerpieces, chairs etc. Also, the weddings I've been to there wasn't a ton of moving around. People popped over to other tables to say hi to people they knew and chat a bit, but moved if the people returned to their seat.

I get it. Odds are I will end up doing a chart I guess. I just really am not looking forward to it.