Where did you get your seating chart?

I would still do one! I bought a design off of etsy and will have it printed through vistaprint.

Since we're only having 28 or less guests, we're just putting place cards on the plates at the table instead of having something set up. It's also family styled seating so I think that helps us.

Definitely do one! it will make things flow so much easier. check with your venue for a seating char of the reception layout for seating..there are also several online tools that help you move guests from table to table easily. My gestalts is 90 and honestly doing it by hand was easier than entering everyone into the online versions, but my people fit pretty well into friend groups that filled tables well.

If you don't do a seating chart/assigned tables, you need to make sure there are extra tables and chairs because people do not naturally break themselves up into groups of 8 or 10. For smaller weddings you can sometimes get away with no seating chart because it's assumed that a majority of the guests are already acquainted with each other; however, a seating chart really isn't terribly difficult (most of the time) so if I were you I'd still make one.

We made ours using a wooden plank, some stain, and a paint pen but you can always get one printed off zazzle or even a poster from staples/Walmart. Especially for 55 people you should be able to make one for next to nothing.