Spin-off: Seating Chart - mix 'em up?

I didn't read the other thread, but the last two weddings I went to we were seated with people we didn't know. I'm not a small talk person and thought it was very awkward and not fun. I read somewhere where you should seat people with at least someone else they know, besides the person they come with.

I was honestly planning on mixing people up but still seating them with people they'd know-- so a few from FH's family and a few from mine. That way it's not all cliquely but also not dead silent because no one knows anyone else.

I just finished our seating chart. I placed people with the people they know, but since we have long tables (2 tables with 56 seats each), there will be inevitable mingling as the groups move into other groups. So there IS mixing, just not so black and white (people in their 20s over here, etc.). Example: I sat my father with his wife and his sisters to his left, but my fiancé's father and HIS family to the right. So there's mixing, but the tight groups stay near each other.

That's what I plan on doing or at least sitting them with people they might have something in common with. The table we were at, felt like the leftovers from all the other tables.

@Ashlee - Yeah, I had originally planned seating people with their families. But started considering mixing them a little bit. Definitely in a way where everyone knows at least a few people at the table already.

@Tara - I was going to ask you if there was something specific that made it awkward or if you had just rather been seated with only people you knew.

@SB821 - That's a nice way to do it. We are having circle tables that probably fit 6 - 10 each.

I like the idea of mixing people up, as long as it's sort of a half and half thing. So if your table holds 10 people, have 5 from one group and 5 from another, or 3/3/4 etc... That way people don't feel awkward being forced to sit with strangers because they know half the people.

I'm trying to make sure people are seated next to whoever else they know, while also seating people with foot-in-mouth syndrome away from FI's family. Those two rules basically make everything fall into place like a Sudoku puzzle.

@Ashley - Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't like a no-no because it makes people uncomfortable or something.

@Kay - Haha that sounds like a good plan. I'm going to have trouble figuring out where my obnoxious cousin will sit.. good thing I don't have to worry about it for awhile.

I did a little of both. I sat people with someone they know, and then mixed up the tables with friends from each side. (like the 1/2 and 1/2 that Ashley mentioned)

@FutureRice - I'm glad it seems to be common because I definitely like the idea of it.

Just my two cents- NOPE NOPE NOPE. I would be pissed if I got to a wedding and this happened. I hate talking to strangers. Plus, if this was my one opportunity to see people I hadn't seen in a while and would have been seated with them otherwise, I'd be upset.

@Beth - Lol that is partially why I asked. I was considering that, but I think everyone there pretty much sees who they know all the time. And it'd be the best opportunity for them to meet each other because when everyone goes to dance and play yard games they're most likely going to stick with who they know, so I feel like dinner would be a nice time for people to mingle with people they don't know.

But I'll definitely keep that in mind when I actually start doing the seating chart.

I have started working on this, but of course I have lots of time and expect that there will be some RSVP declines. So, I am playing with seating for those I know are coming for sure.

Our tables seat 8 - 10. I prefer to have 8 per table, but if it divides a family awkwardly (for example, separating parents from young children) then I will do 9 or 10 at some tables. There are definitely some people I will place all together, and others I want to keep on opposite sides of the room. I do not want anyone to feel like they were just stuck at the "leftover" guests table with a bunch of people they don't know.

I think its just better to sit people with those they know. If they don't know many people at the wedding, sit them with those they'll have something in common with - like similar age. People who want to mingle with new people will do so during cocktail hour and after dinner. Don't force it when they're sitting at their tables!

@Debra - good for you lol I'll probably do the same thing but get frustrated when I get RSVPs in and have to completely change it.

Yeah, I'll definitely want to avoid having any tables feel like the leftover table!

I think it's better to seat people with who they know. I would be upset if I went to a wedding and was with no one I had ever met before.

I thought about it a little bit before answering... I don't think I'd like it that much. BUT having said that, I don't think I'd get too pissy about it or anything because after dinner, I'd be dancing/mingling with people I know anyway.

Sit people with who they know. People can mingle during cocktail/dancefloor but especially if a lot of people are traveling they probably haven't seen many of their friends more than a few times a year.

Ive been sat with people I know, and tables where it was mixed and I knew a few and not some others. Both were fun. After a few drinks, we were all talking and mingling and it was fun. IT could go either way though. I think if I knew no one I'd be uncomfortable.

@annakay and e=mc2 - that's an interesting thought. I just figured most people would use the cocktail hour and after dinner to mingle with the people they know and are comfortable with and their only real chance at meeting everyone else in the family would be at dinnertime. Especially because they see everyone they know all the time anyway.

@Kristen and Jacqui - it definitely wouldn't be only people they don't know, I'd do it half and half as much as I could. Would that make a difference to you guys?

FutureMrsTex - that's what I'm hoping lol that an open bar and knowing some of the guests would make you comfortable enough to have fun with meeting others. But I don't want to force it if most people just don't like that kind of thing.

I'm glad I asked! I thought it was going to be a no-brainer and you'd all have the same answer one way or another.