help with "tapas" reception

LaurenAsh23

instead of a traditional sit down dinner, we are having a 'tapas' reception. we are going for more of a party atmosphere for our reception than a stuffy reception. any ideas on how to direct people to the different stations of food!?!?

I thought of having somesort of menu card at each table or place setting, but then we also run into the problem, do we need assigned seating?? We are planning to have over 200 guests. Our reception is going to take place at our country club which has an open floor plan but is made up of a few rooms.

any ideas are appreciated!

Allycat11

Definitely, have assigned tables, not neccessarily assigned seats.  It is a courtesy to guests that they are seated with people they will probably enjoy.  That also gives them a definite place to leave coats, purses, cameras, whatever else they have that they may not want to carry with them.  If you don't assign tables people get the awkward school cafeteria feeling "where are my friends, where are there enough seats for all of my friends?" 

I think for your type of reception it would be nice to have a few menus at each table.  When I have to get up to get food, I like knowing what my options are so I can fill up my plate accordingly.