Unassigned seating.....

I don't think it's being lazy and taking the easy way out if you choose not to assign seats. I'm on the fence about it myself. I've been to a wedding with assigned seats and my family was assigned a seat next to the kitchen because the bride had gotten mad at me just weeks prior to the wedding. I had a strong suspicion that that was a last minute change since we were seated with people we didn't know and we've know the bride and her family since our births.

At any rate, I sometimes feel like people can figure out where to sit. We've invited close family and friends, many of whom all know each other, so there really would not (or should not) be any awkard feelings or people looking down in their laps to avoid eye contact so folks won't sit at their table.

I planned a formal birthday party for my Granddad a few years ago, in a banquet hall where everyone was in ball gowns and tuxedos. We did not assign seats and there were over 100 guests. Everything worked out just fine.

I prefer assigned tables at the minimum. Unassigned seating is only good if EVERYONE at the wedding knows each other well and would like to sit together (which is rare otherwise, they may be forced to sit at tables with people they don't like if all the other spots are taken. You have to include extra tables with unassigned seating to make sure that couples don't get split up, then you run the risk of a table having 3 people sitting at it.

I prefer assigned tables at the minimum. Unassigned seating is only good if EVERYONE at the wedding knows each other well and would like to sit together (which is rare otherwise, they may be forced to sit at tables with people they don't like if all the other spots are taken. You have to include extra tables with unassigned seating to make sure that couples don't get split up, then you run the risk of a table having 3 people sitting at it.

I'm going to be the odd man out and say go for it. I'm not doing assigned tables but my reception is going to have a more cocktail feel to it.

The last wedding I went to, apart from my own some 13 years ago, had unassigned seating. I hate crowds and being touched by strangers so I held back, and ended up at the table where the DJ and celebrant sat. ROFL

We're not doing assigned seating but we're having so few people as others here have said, I think they'll work it out. With your number I'd say assign.

I will only be doing assigned seating for immediate family, the WP, and people who RSVP (as we're expecting about 150 people but not expecting more than 50 to RSVP)

@Soon2Bmrs, you only ever assign seating for those that you are expecting, not every guest you invite.

I'm on the fence about it. We will also probably have about 75, maybe less. But the reason I'm thinking no is because I went to a wedding, got put at a table with all these rich snobs, and I hated it. So we actually moved to a different table. There was space, so it wasn't a huge deal, but imagine if there wasn't? I would have been pretty miserable the whole time.

We're having a sweetheart table. We've invited mostly family and close friends...and for most of the extended groups...it's the first time they'll meet anyways. I'll reserve a couple for immediate family and the bridal party but other than that: meet, mingle, make a friend!

ETA: we're anticipating somewhere between 60-80 people.

We had 45 people. It was unassigned. People were mingling the whole time anyway.

I think this is one of those strong opinion topics. I can only give my personal experience. My two best friends had open seating at theirs and the families were relative strangers to each other. The key to their success I think was to have more seating than needed. Every one mingled and had a great time. I'm doing the same at my wedding and will have a few extra tables. We also aren't having a set schedule so to speak. None of the three of us had plated dinners for example. And all three weddings had/will have 120+ people.

I plan on doing a sweetheart table, 3-4 reserved for immediate family and everyone else can pic their own.

I agree with Amy with assigned seats that was the person who make the seating's fault. You know your guests so take that in consideration

Unassigned seating is probably fine for those who know lots of people at the wedding but for those who don't know very many other people I think it would be awkard and anxiety producing. I am a huge fan of assigned tables, if not assigned seats.

We did not have assigned seating and it was flawless when it came time to find a seat. I have never been to wedding where seating was a problem and that someone did not have a chair where they wanted. We had 86 guests plus our own table. It always amazes me on here the people that say they have seen terrible things happen with no seating chart. I felt like I did not need to tell 86 adults where they had to sit. Maybe we were lucky because my family knew everyone including my work and outside friends and H family was smaller.

edited to add that in no way is it being lazy by not doing one.

I have mostly been to weddings with assigned tables except a wedding I went to a few months back. My fiancés cousin was getting married (they have a HUGE family) and there was no assigned seating. I heard there were 400 people in attendance. They had escort cards to write your own name on so once you found your seat you didn't lose it. I thought it went very smoothly besides the fact that they had the wedding parties dates at an assigned table next to the wedding party (fiancé was in the wedding). I knew none of those people and was actually unaware they had even done this until halfway through dinner the brides mother asked me why I was not sitting at the table for the WP's significant others. So that could have been communicated better to me.

I'm not having assigned seats either..everyone can sit where they want...as long as they're comfy..we all will no one anyway lol

We had a very very casual wedding and still had a seating chart. It helped us maximize space so we didn't have to have extra tables (also meant saving $$ on linens, tableware, and centerpieces). Since we got rained out and had to use the reception area as our ceremony area, it helped us to be able to make sure everyone who needed to beup front, was.

I wanted a seating chart. I liked the idea...until 3 of the 4 people made comments that they thought it was somewhat controlling. FH wasn't crazy about it either. It isn't done around here. I've never been to a wedding with a seating chart. So, how it is viewed depends on what the norm in your area is.

It's great to see that it DOES work!!