What to do with purses at a reception with no assigned seating?

Have a coat check with security. May weather can be unpredictable depending on where you are getting married, so your guests may have coats as well.

A coat/bag check is a good idea, but if they need their phone or wallet, they may have to go back for it a few times. but even if they have assigned seats, theyd still be leaving a bag alone.

I went to a wedding recently that did not have assigned seating. They had several long rectangular tables that fit about 6-8 people each. Their dinner was buffet style bbq. Everyone kind of choose a seat at the beginning after cocktail hour and for the most part people kept their same seats. The ends of the tables were left open so people could pull up a chair to another table and talk to other people. I left my purse at the table several times and did not feel uncomfortable doing so. I assumed it would be unlikely for a friend or family member of the bride/groom to try to steal someones purse at the wedding.

Thank you for this feedback. It's incredibly helpful. The wedding is May of next year. The tables and chairs will be both inside and outside. While we have the entire outdoor portion for our cocktail hour, after that we only get half and the public is welcomed to use the other side. What we really want to make sure is people get up and dance and don't feel weighed down by their stuff. Some kind of coat check (even though there probably won't be any coats in May) could work....but yes, I would think people would feel safe enough to leave their stuff.

Any experience with previous weddings done in this style and how you felt is great to hear.

Depending on your venue, when I worked at a hotel we had people leave purses and shoes and everything at the desk all the time during wedding receptions.