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Assigned Tables Question

ARG43ARG43 member
First Comment
in Wedding Etiquette Forum

My fiance and I are getting married on November 24, 2012.  We are expecting to have a large reception - about 350 people.  We do not want to do assigned seating, however, we would like our immediate families (parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) to sit at tables close to the front.

What is the most proper, effective way to do this?

Any advice would be appreciated!

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Re: Assigned Tables Question

  • aragx6aragx6 member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    I would definitely assign everyone a table with a wedding so large. I liken it to the first day of lunch in high school -- wandering around with your tray lost and looking for friends ... no fun.

    If you don't you'll need extra tables because people don't fill them naturally -- which means extra centerpieces ($$) as well.
    Lizzie
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  • pkontkpkontk member
    500 Comments
    I highly suggest assigning tables.  I know its a lot of extra work, especially with such a large guest list, but people like to know where they're going.  They like to know who they're sitting with.  Your guests will be much more comfortable having a 'place', scoping it out, putting their stuff down, and getting the cocktails and apps.
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  • ARG43ARG43 member
    First Comment
    How do you let your guests know which table they are assigned to?
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  • aragx6aragx6 member
    2500 Comments 5 Love Its Combo Breaker
    Escort cards on a table up front or a seating chart -- a big sign that lists them all.
    Lizzie
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  • achiduckachiduck member
    5000 Comments 5 Love Its
    With a wedding that size you really need to assign tables other wise you need to have several extra tables and all that goes along with that (linens, centerpieces, table number, menu cards, etc).
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  • LambbopLambbop member
    100 Comments
    edited May 2012
    If you want to assign specific seats you will need to create escort cards with each guests' name and their table number.

    If you just want to assign tables, you can create a master chart that can be set up at the reception that will list the guests' names under each table number.

    Try googling "escort cards" or "wedding seating chart" for ideas.

    EDIT: Be sure to also put some indication of the table number on each table ;-)
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  • allisong23allisong23 member
    Fifth Anniversary 1000 Comments
    You really need to assign tables. Your guests are not going to want to have to wander around, trying to find a table that a) they know someone at and b) there is space for them.
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  • rlavachrlavach member
    1000 Comments Second Anniversary 5 Love Its
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_assigned-tables-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:106582e0-ddbc-4f97-a542-5eccf9f514acPost:8ff9371e-280c-45c8-8039-34765ec50050">Re: Assigned Tables Question</a>:
    [QUOTE]If you want to assign specific seats you will need to create escort cards with each guests' name and their table number. If you just want to assign tables, you can create a master chart that can be set up at the reception that will list the guests' names under each table number. Try googling "escort cards" or "wedding seating chart" for ideas.
    Posted by Lambbop[/QUOTE]
    You can still use escort cards to assign a table. Just write the table number. <div>
    </div><div>We did a seating chart instead because we had only 80 guests. With 350 guests, that's a whole lot of bodies to stand in front of 1 or 2 charts trying to find their name. That will slow down the process of moving guests from cocktail to reception. I'd think that using escort cards with table numbers on a large table would work better. If you have a coordinator, Maitre'D or someone who works there who can help, give them an alphabetical list of your guest's names and corresponding table #. I did that for my DOC and she was able to help along the guests faster. </div><div>
    </div><div>I agree with everyone else that at that size, you need to arrange the seating in some way. If not, it will just be all over the place.</div>

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  • LambbopLambbop member
    100 Comments
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_assigned-tables-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:106582e0-ddbc-4f97-a542-5eccf9f514acPost:592af581-f998-4fa9-b498-af6e61039ebc">Re: Assigned Tables Question</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Assigned Tables Question : You can still use escort cards to assign a table. Just write the table number.  We did a seating chart instead because we had only 80 guests. With 350 guests, that's a whole lot of bodies to stand in front of 1 or 2 charts trying to find their name. That will slow down the process of moving guests from cocktail to reception. I'd think that using escort cards with table numbers on a large table would work better. If you have a coordinator, Maitre'D or someone who works there who can help, give them an alphabetical list of your guest's names and corresponding table #. I did that for my DOC and she was able to help along the guests faster.  I agree with everyone else that at that size, you need to arrange the seating in some way. If not, it will just be all over the place.
    Posted by rlavach[/QUOTE]

    I agree with this! I remember now going to a wedding with about 400 guests and having the escort cards in alphabetical order definitely helped. Follow this advice!
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