seating charts

While it's great for people to mingle and meet new people, remember that some may feel uncomfortable if theyre seated wiht all strangers! So just make sure that at any table, everyone knows and is comfortable wiht at least one other person. And then just pick people that you think would hit it off. I have some friends that can be a little crass and they won't be seated wiht my church going friends! It just depends on your crowd and their personalities.

I agree. I went to a wedding this summer and the couple made sure to sit us with their other young friends from their undergrad (we just met the couple getting married in my first year of med school so we knew nobody) and we hit it off. It was fun.

My FMIL went to my brother's wedding and she sat with the other grandparents, it worked out well. Just try to keep in mind where people would feel most comfortable and try to sit them with others in the same age group.

This is the exact reason we are not doing a seating chart.

For every person who might appreciate where they are sitting, there is at least one person who is like WTF why am I at this table. No thanks...let guests sit where they want. ESPECIALLY because you are doing a buffet style dinner (we are too). Just my two cents...

I think I am just going to reserve seats for my WP, the grandparents and parents. I dont want them to be stuck in the back somewhere! I am only having 4 very long tables, so I think my guests will be comfortable seating themselves. We are having a family style dinner, so there wont be much moving around once they are seated for dinner, so I want them to be comfortable.

Seating charts help keep your costs down. You know exactly how many tables and chairs you will need. Without one you might want an extra table for when people don't fill a whole table (family of 3 and there are only 1 or 2 open chairs at a table)

If you want to mix the guests (his family and yours) try to have the same age/personality (humor, maturity level, etc) at the same table. Like others above suggested, be sure they know Someone at the table.

Don't freak out having Every table with the exact same number. I had tables of 9, 10, and 11.

I went back and forth about having a seating chart. Ultimately we did have one and I was glad for that. There were people at the wedding that I did not want sitting in certain spots. It worked out well. I made personalized menu cards, so each menu had the guests name on it. It was a plated dinner so they were given a choice on their menu card and they handed the menu card with their name on it to the servers. That also helped when dinner was served too. But I can tell you this, people will move around and mingle. Our guests made friends with people I would have never thought they would be friends with!

I hear what Hayley is saying about the tables and chairs, but my venue doesn't have a price per table and chair or anything like that...the flat venue rental fee includes tables, chairs, and linens with no minimums or maximums...so I guess I'm thankful for that. I had no idea that some places charge per table or chair...every place I looked at was a flat rate including it all. I couldn't imagine dealing with that!

I also agree that if you're having a plated meal, you pretty much need a seating chart, but for family style or a buffet, it is definitely not necessary and IMO you shouldn't do it.

@ Katie - per chair cost and table is more related to cost if you are renting the items for the meal - table, chair, place setting, serving ware. Also you need to add the cost of extra linens and extra centerpieces. Exact tables means more room for the dance floor.

a nightmare with open seating

www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/psa-open-seating-sucks/81d89409fbf57f36.html?page=1

Your guests will appreciate being seated with their friends and families, without feeling the need to “save” seats. Every single guest who has sent a rsvp card will be accounted for. Everyone officially has a place to sit, no one is left standing wondering what to do next

It provides an overall sense of organization and calm for you and your guests. When you have many people moving into a confined space, broken up by tables and chairs, without some direction you can produce a chaotic scene

*It might be a little bit of a headache to create, but assigned tables really help smooth things out

@Hayley - See the new discussion I started...I didn't want to hijack this one, but wanted to continue the discussion.

@Soon to be Mrs. R - I found this site, which I think is very helpful: http://www.perfecttableplan.com/html/hints.html

It goes through how to go about assigning seats, common things to think about, etc. I think it's pretty good and I hope it helps you work on your seating chart.

I wouldn't seat people for the purpose of mingling. Seat them with the people they know and feel the most comfortable with. There will be plenty of time for them to get up and chat with strangers later. You want people to be comfortable and relaxed, not feel like they have to force small talk with new people over dinner. KWIM?

OK, after reading all the comments and researching online, I guess you all are right, I will be doing a full seating chart.

I agree with Kris, I wouldn't seat guests at tables so that they can mingle. The guests will have plenty of time to mingle during cocktail hour and after dinner's over.

FH and I went to a wedding recently where the bride and groom sat everyone at tables where they wouldn't know anyone else so that they would get a chance to mingle. Instead, a large percentage of the guests were trading tables so that they could sit with other people that they know.

Thank you everyone.

Did anyone see the Four Wedding (this week or last) where the NYC skyline bride on her seating chart showed how all the guests at the table are connected?

While most of our guests are family I thought this would be a fun thing to do...

That sounds really interesting Jessica!