Seating plan vs no seating plan?

@Kassie - divorce is a big reason why you want to assign tables. I had to keep family away from each other so by assigning tables I had one group way at the other end of the room from others.

I've been invited to a wedding in June and the bride said she's not doing assigned seats and I'm already anxious about it. I'm debating whether I really will go to the reception now.

The vast majority here will tell you to do one. I on the other hand did not do a seating chart and the world did not end. I have never been to a wedding with a seating chart and have never had a problem. It's just not done in my area. As long as their are enough chairs for butts you should be ok.

Assigning tables but not seats, I agree with the other ladies. No one wants to feel like the new kid at lunch trying to find people to sit with.

I've only been to one wedding without table assignments, and as m m said, we ended up dragging seats over so our group could be together. It worked out ok, but made it nearly impossible to get through the enter of the tent because we took over. Personally, I think it's fun to pair up friends who may not know anyone but us with other friends and family who we think will get along. I know it's an added stress near the date, but also like playing fun friend matchmaker, and I did that!

Your guests will feel less stressed if they have direction... Con is that you have some work to do!

Thank you everyone for the help! Now that I think of it, there are divorces that took place & it would prob be best to keep them separated.

Any advice on whether to mix bridal & grooms friends? They don't know each other at all.. Pretty much everyone likes to have a good time. I would just hate to put a couple of my friends with a table full of FH friends & have it go south.

I'm mixing known friends, then similar age groups/interests. Hunters with hunters, hippies with hippies (regardless of age) .

I don't plan on having assigned seating. I figure my guest know best whom they want to sit with. We're also not having a plated dinner, so I guess there would be that to consider, if it applies to you.

We're reserving tables for his OOT guests and Immediate family. Other then that everyone knows everyone they can sit where ever they want.

I, personally, don't see the appeal of a seating plan. I trust that people are adults enough to introduce themselves to people they don't know (then again, I grew up in a small town so everyone knows everyone). I've seen it done once, and no one bothered to sit where they were supposed to.

I'm 100% for. You know who knows who and who gets along. You want to keep your inappropriate friends away from your grandmother and super religious aunt. You know there are x number of couples that all know each other and can sit them all together rather than scattered at different tables. It sucks being the awkward couple who doesn't know anyone else at a huge group of friends of family who all are excited to see each other and not interested in talking to you. IMO, oot family and friends want to see you and the people who they know. They're not interested in making new friends. At a big family gathering or family reunion where everyone knows everyone, there's no need for assigned seating. But at weddings, definitely.