We decided to opt for a "cocktail style" reception however, unlike others I've read about, we're actually serving food...buffet style. There will be passed apps for an hour followed by a large buffet of food like pastas, chickens etc. We are having a small wedding of 70 people including both sides of our family and a few close friends. We can't decide whether to do large baquet style tables or all small cocktail style tables mixed with lounge furniture. If we do large banquet tables, we need seating cards because otherwise people don't end up sitting with who they know and you end up with mixed tables of people being forced to sit together because it was the only 2 seats left a the last table. However, seating cards also makes it a bit more formal and now we are forcing people to sit with certain people based on table availability and who we match them up with (of course we'll try to always put people that know each other together but sometimes you're stuck with a few randoms that you don't know who to put with). If we do all small cocktail tables with 4 chairs at each, people can sit wherever and choose to sit with just their date or with others. We thought this way would create more mingling. However when asking around I'm being told regardless of the tables, people will "claim" their spot because they want somewhere to leave their drink, their pocketbook etc. And having small tables doesn't allow large parties that all know each other to sit together. And it might make it more difficult to eat a regular meal at a large table with a large plate.
The only thing we do know is that we will have enough seats for everyone, if not over the total number of guests. Even though at least a third of the party is young, everyone should have a seat option in my opinion.
So has anyone been to a wedding where it was the cocktail style reception but with food being served? Can you tell me if they had seating arrangements or not? What types of tables? And what is your opion on which works better?
Thanks!