Split Seating some inside and some outside...

Are there big french doors that can be open to connect the two areas?

I would have found a different venue or cut the guest list.

I guess no seating chart is ok.... but I Would do one, and stick your friends and co-workers outside if you know that they will be happy with free drinks in their hands and food on the table. Assigned seats will ensure Grandma and your other relatives get the good seats and that they can see you.

Or at least reserved tables for the VIP's - Your parents and Grandparents will want to see you.

HI- I am just asking if anyone else has worked with split seating... and what they did or how it worked for them. I know others might have made a different decision... that was not what was right for us.

Thanks though.

Are there big french doors that can be open to connect the two areas?

I didn't do it.... but if I was a guest at a wedding like this I wouldn't mind it so much if there was a way to look into the room. And, if there was speakers to hear the announcements/speeches/music. Also, I would like to be able to see the bride and groom, so, to have their table near the doorway between the two areas.

Is there any way to have tables on the dance floor so everyone is in the same room. And have them break down some tables after dinner?

Maybe you will luck out and your RSVP's will be small enough to fit in one room.

~ good luck ~

I've worked with a few events that have had split seating. It seems that having the "younger" crowd outside works well, especially if it's a hot day. The last wedding that I worked with that had split seating did have a seating chart, just to make sure that older guests had indoor (air conditioned) seats. I typically see the head table indoors, but that's certainly not a requirement. Hope this helps!

Can you post a picture of your venue so we can get a better idea of your space?

I kind of have this problem. My Venue is the Stanley hotel. We are using What is called the Pinion Billiard room. The billiard room is big and can seat 60-75 people. The pinion room which is connected by 2 large doorways, is much smaller. Normally the cake, bar and buffet go in there, however if the group gets any larger then 75 we will have to deal with split seating. I am trying to keep the number, but not sure if it's possible. If it isn't I am gonna put my younger cousins in the pinion room and the adults in the billiard. You can only kind of see into the other room. So the guests in that room may not be able to see me. The 2 rooms can seat up to 120.

Kari- I would take Hayley's advice. She's amazing when it comes to wedding planning! Hayley has the best advice and is usually spot on with help.

I personally wouldn't want to attend a wedding with split seating because if I were outside, I would feel as if I was being isolated from the group or not liked as much as the guests seated inside, just my opinion.

I have worked events where there was split seating and Honey B's feelings are usually what we hear from most people. They kind of feel second class at the event.

I would also go with Hayley's advice.

If the outside quests have a good view and can still be a part of it all it will feel less separated. I would probably choose to not have seating assignments and let people sit where they want so there are no hurt feelings. You can save one or two tables inside for your older crew, and everyone else can find their own spot.

Have fun! Sounds like a great wedding.

Our seating is going to be split, however all will be outside (assuming whether cooperates). Our wedding will be taking place at a historic mansion. On each end of the mansion are covered porticos and it also has a long terrace along the front covered in wisteria vines.

Our cocktail hour will take place on the left portico while our meal will take place on the right portico and right part of the front terrace. We plan on setting up our sweetheart table on the corner so that our guests will have sight and access to us whether they are on the portico or terrace. However they won't necessarily be able to see all of the other guests.

HI- I guess I could have mentioned this is a casual event. Casual picnic attire, casual day where Bride and Groom will be around and available all day for fishing, hanging out, talking, etc... We are doing a short simple ceremony and skipping many of the wedding traditions. Also avoiding all together the wedding industrial complex. I am glad to hear that some people have done this and it has worked... my guests will not feel second rate they are only eating a meal people... it is one hour of the fun day we have planned. I guess I am finding out a board like this is not for me... Thanks for the positive post though!

Kari- generally when people are asked this question they are thinking about a big sit down formal wedding. Maybe you could provide us more details the next time you ask a question so we know that you aren't planning on a formal/semi-formal event.

We're always willing to help other brides, just need some more details. Especially if you are going the nontraditional route!

My only suggestion would be to get a tent for outdoors incase it starts to rain or too sunny (for shade). Also, look into getting some of those torch candles that keep away the flies and mosquitos, there are some that actually look really nice and will be an added decoration as well.

I have been to 2 weddings where the seating was split. The first was a rather formal event and in our seats we could not see anything including the head table or the dance floor, we felt kinda left out. However the second one i went to was a casual one like you are having. It was split among a few spaced out pavilions. But since it was outside, with BBQ and not many traditional formal events, it was a much better experience. Everyone just kinda moved around and chatted. So i think your situation will be fine with your type of reception.

Thank you all for the great ideas! Our wedding will be like the second wedding you described Krista... we have a bar/restaurant rented out, plus a tent outside that can seat 40 people, and also we have rented the cabins that are right next to the bar and they have a big deck with patio sets. I think some people get so stuck on what the typical wedding is that they have a hard time seeing outside of the box... we have been talking about ours like it is more of a family reunion... I can’t wait for the day though, I will be graduating college in May, work full time and my finance and I have a 4 year old daughter so I have been busy!

The stair come from the bar/restaurant and go down to the tent, which is right next to the cabin's decks...

We will have something similar. It's split 3 ways though. There are 2 rooms, they are connected, but they are separate from each other. There is also a deck outside. We aren't doing a seating chart of any of that. People can just sit wherever they want to. It's actually a former BBQ restaurant turned reception place.

HI all- Wanted to kick this one back up and encourage any bride looking to do a non-traditional dinner for their wedding to go ahead and do what you want!!! We had room for 90 inside and 40 outside in a tent plus some picnic tables set up with linens too. We saw people eating at picnic tables, at the bar, at the tables inside, in the tent... and so on. Hubby and I ate with our family, got up and walked around talking to everyone. It was casual, comfortable, and NO STRESS!!!