80 seats for 150 guests? Is it ok not to have seating for everyone?

Summer2011Bride

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_80-seats-for-150-guests-is-it-ok-not-to-have-seating-for-everyone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:0bb8470c-06e8-41a0-9443-a509552bd89fPost:b184190d-5cc5-49aa-a719-8417f8a2ba14">Re: 80 seats for 150 guests? Is it ok not to have seating for everyone?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think it should be fine, depending on the crowd.  For example, I know that my family is always out on the dance floor. <strong> Plus, with the standard rule that 15-20% </strong>of your guests will decline, it is likely that you're looking at a guest list of 120-130 as opposed to 150.  Just do what you have planned with the seating/tables for 80, and maybe some comfy lounge furniture.  I think the wedding sounds like fun!
Posted by Reid222[/QUOTE]


There is no standard decline rate. There have been ladies on TK that have had 100% attendance or very close to it. You can absolutely NOT count on anyone declining. I don't care if there's 83 people and 80 chairs; those 3 people will be pissed they don't have a place to sit. You need to accommodate EVERY guest. End of story.

JoanE2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_80-seats-for-150-guests-is-it-ok-not-to-have-seating-for-everyone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:0bb8470c-06e8-41a0-9443-a509552bd89fPost:9defaaff-a33a-45b7-b4b9-05ba1cdc840d">Re: 80 seats for 150 guests? Is it ok not to have seating for everyone?</a>:
[QUOTE]Wow, I'm shocked at the responses. I had thought the knot was a helpful & friendly place! I'm very srprised at everyone who is saying "need", "must" & "have to". You are the people who have a narrow view of weddings and are the reason this wedding beast has been created! <strong>The beauty of a wedding is it can be whatever the bride and groom decide it to be. There are no set rules and you can do whatever you want. </strong> As far as the cocktail reception goes I don't see anything wrong with it. I recently went to a 60th birthday party and there were ~100 guests and I doubt there were more than 6-8 tables there. <strong>People survived</strong>. At my company christmas party there was 1100-1500 people (I think RSVP number was closer to 1500 but I don't think all showed) and there was no way there were more than seating for 500. That didn't include several hightops scattered around the part which, while not having seats, allowed you a place to put your drink and/or plate while you talked. I haven't been to  cocktail style wedding before but if done right, I can't see why it wouldn't fail. Unless of course all your guests are like the people on this board who seem very set in their ways about how a wedding must be!
Posted by martind1[/QUOTE]

Sure, the bride and groom can do whatever they want.  But don't expect your guests to be happy.  It will be one of those weddings people remember for the wrong reasons.  Remember, the ceremony is about the bride and groom, but the reception is supposed to be their thank you to their guests. 

And I sure as heck don't want to "survive" a reception.....I want to be able to enjoy it.

alithebride

here's the thing. if you have a 1 hour coctail reception then it's fine. if oyu have anything for more than an hour yes-people will want to sit. i'm far from elderly and in awesome shape BUT would i want to stand for 5 hours? holding my food, drink, camera, pashmina, bag and god knows what else in gown and 4 inch heels all night (normal wedding attire)? nope. i wouldn't stay long.

i'm sure you COULD have a reception like that with 70 seats short but the question is if you SHOULD-and that answer is no.

kmmssg

The idea that there are no set rules for etiquette and how to treat your guests may be ROLF.  How self centered can you get?

OP - Here is a link to a post this morning about a wedding where there was not enough seating for everyone.  It was one of the things identifed as how to piss off 100 or so people simultaneously.  A shortage of seating was a real problem.

The only time a wedding should ONLY be what a bride and groom want to do is when there are no guests and no one else is helping to foot the bill.  When you invite guests, you must feed them and host them adequately.  That includes having a seat.

yyeehhaaww

How long is this going to last?  How would you like to be the ONE without a seat?  I think this is very inconsiderate of your guests.

martind1

I like how everyone on this thread seems to think think that if you don't have enough chairs for every person you either will be sitting down or not able to sit down. 

It's simple, when someone gets out of a chair, you can sit in that chair. 

martind1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_80-seats-for-150-guests-is-it-ok-not-to-have-seating-for-everyone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:0bb8470c-06e8-41a0-9443-a509552bd89fPost:6982e266-3fa9-4e4b-83b3-b045d4da6a4a">Re: 80 seats for 150 guests? Is it ok not to have seating for everyone?</a>:
[QUOTE]Why would this bride need to feed everyone, but the bride in the other thread doesn't need to?
Posted by Summer2011Bride[/QUOTE]

<div>Reread my posts and it should make sense to you. It's about setting expectations.</div>

kmmssg

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_80-seats-for-150-guests-is-it-ok-not-to-have-seating-for-everyone?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:0bb8470c-06e8-41a0-9443-a509552bd89fPost:3e97e51e-0e27-4464-aac5-209bced5cc5b">Re: 80 seats for 150 guests? Is it ok not to have seating for everyone?</a>:
[QUOTE]I like how everyone on this thread seems to think think that if you don't have enough chairs for every person you either will be sitting down or not able to sit down.  It's simple, when someone gets out of a chair, you can sit in that chair. 
Posted by martind1[/QUOTE]

<div>If I get up to go to the bathroom and expect to come back to a chair where I was eating or visiting, it should still be there.  I WOULD be the guest at your wedding who would tell that unfortunate chair stealing guests to get out of mine!  You can't be serious about this.</div>

jterra2

The etiquette article you posted is from New Orleans. I'm from New Orleans, and the weddings here are very different from weddings in other parts of the country. We never have sit down dinners. Weddings are always buffet style with passed foods and there's no separate cocktail hour. Assigned seats and plated dinners are not the norm. In fact, I've never been to a wedding like that! They are mostly 3 hour receptions and as soon as you get there everyone starts drinking and dancing. The custom here is to have about half the seating or less because no one ever sits at receptions down here. If you're wedding was here, it'd be acceptable, but I know that is not the case in most parts of the country. Good luck! :

chanelnjustin

everyone needs seating no one wants to stand & eat.