Seating Chart on the back of Wedding Program

HoneyBadgerVegas

I am wondering if anyone else has done this or has an opinion on it: Printing the reception seating chart on the back of the wedding program.

I can't stand the traffic jams that escort cards and seating charts can create at the entrance of a reception venue, so I think it would be a good idea to print it on the back of the wedding program so our guests can find their table number while they are waiting for the ceremony to begin (or during the ceremony if they get bored, I guess). Also, I'm thinking it would be a good idea to place another chart at the entrance of the reception just in case someone leaves their program at the ceremony site, but hopefully it would cut down on the amount of people trying to find their name and table at one time. 

I'm I overlooking possible issues this could create or does it make sense?

Jen4948

Lots of people don't look at programs or abandon or dispose of them right after the ceremony so I don't advise it as the sole means of communicating your seating arrangements to guests. And they won't eliminate the crowds and/or long lines at the entrance to the reception venue.

Even if you do this, I'd still have escort cards and/or a seating chart at the reception.

Maggie0829

I never take a program.  And if the program is already at my seat I hardly ever look at it.

So yes,  you are going to need a chart or two at the entrance of your venue no matter what, because if any of your guests are like me, they would have not known the seating chart was on the program.

mikenberger

How large are your programs going to be? Font size could be an issue along with the other issues already stated by the PPs.

I would not do this.

madamerwin

I see no problem with doing it. It doesn't hurt to do it, but at PPs have said, you will still need a seating chart at the reception since a lot of people won't take/look at the program.

I take a program if it's available, so I know how long the ceremony will be (I am not a fan of long ceremonies). It gives me something to look at, so I probably WOULD see the seating chart and be able to skip the crowds at the reception. But I know not everyone will do that.

MandyMost

I also hate the crowds into the reception. Can you set up the table with the escort cards in a good spot that won't cause a major traffic jam, and also have it available throughout cocktail hour? That way people have a whole hour to figure out where they're sitting before heading into the reception space. 

nanaphyllis

Unlike most, I am an old softy who loves programs as a keepsake so I always read them.  So for people like me your idea is GREAT.  It would make things flow fast and easy for me, and then as you said, you can also have a table for those less appreciative of the program.

[Deleted User]

Only half of my guests, if that many, actually took the program. And I know for my area, to put seating information on the back of the program isn't normal so a lot of people would miss it. I'm also thinking that depending on how many guests you will have coming, you may have to use a very small font or make a large program to fit all the information in. And I can see people coming in and forgetting their programs in the car and going "where are we sitting again?" and then you have a traffic jam at your chart. Then there are those guests who don't come to the ceremony, only the reception. Yes, you will have some. I would save yourself the work of putting them on the program and doing the chart and just do escort cards and having them in alphabetical order and your guests should be able to sit themselves pretty quickly. From my experience, what causes more of a traffic jam then escort cards, is everyone trying to sign the guest book on the way in.