So our wedding is in 11 days and so far I am short a lot of RSVP's. I know many of those people for sure aren't coming (like a ton of them are from across the country, so I don't think they will randomly turn up). I've also got a bunch of local friends who said "Maybe" or who say they are coming, but I am super doubtful (like they don't even have a reliable vehicle or valid drivers licences, so...). I have attempted to contact people, and so far, no replies, which I feel is probably just a no.
I don't want to have a lot of empty/half-empty tables, or potentially not enough seating. So can I reserve 4 tables for the immediate family (the front 4, and they will know who goes where) and then just leave the rest of the guests to sit where they want? As it stands we planned for 10 tables, and I have at least one that's totally empty at this point, and one that has 4 of 6 chairs full. Some tables only have 5 people at them. I feel like if we set up all 10 tables, there will be enough seating that people can sit themselves (many are friend groups, but there are a few randoms, so maybe that won't work). Should I just do the best I can and people who didn't RSVP or gave a "maybe" can sit at whatever tables aren't full if they turn up?