Seating

medunn

I cant decide if I should do assigned seating beyond the head table adn parents tables or not. Any one have an goods and bads for each to help me decide.

CnSinLOVE

I think a lot of it depends on how many people you have and how well they all know each other! Just remember if you do open seating you need to make sure you have extra tables and chairs because people may not fill up every table and you don't want people having to separate from their group because they're weren't any other seats! I personally prefer assigned tables, much easier on the guests! Definitely a little more work for you, but in the long run makes it easier on everyone else!!

JoanE2012

Do table assignments.  We did something similar to Liatris.  We broke the list up to 1) our friends 2) Brides family/friends 3) Grooms family/friends.   My DH and I worked on our friends, my Mom handled #2 and DH Mom took care of #3.  It's not as hard as it seems.

libby2483

We did table assignments, largely because we were almost at the maximum capacity for our venue, and we didn't have room to include extra tables and chairs.  If you don't do assigned tables, you need to make sure you have extras, so people don't get split up. For example, you wouldn't want a couple to get split up because there isn't two seats left together.  I generally prefer assigned tables because it eliminates this worry.

AdeleDazeem

Table assignments are infinitely more comfortable and kind to your guests than putting them in a high school cafeteria situation.

mlg78

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_seating-6?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:1b5f658a-6449-47b2-8ffc-76597e8b99b3Post:20c03735-1d5e-4deb-901a-c265dfc5e863">Re: Seating</a>:
[QUOTE]Table assignments are infinitely more comfortable and kind to your guests than putting them in a high school cafeteria situation.
Posted by Joy2611[/QUOTE]
Exactly. I think most people prefer assigned seating.  Using The Knot's tool is also pretty fun for determining how people know one another and seating them together.  You can visualize it much better.

jessicabessica

I am much more comfortable with assigning people to tables.  As a guest, I don't want to have to worry about who I'm going to sit with, if there will be room, etc.

However, I think you really need to go with what's commonly done in your social circle and area.  If people are used to open seating, assigned tables may feel restrictive.  This is something that I think it's best just to go with what you're used to and not try to change it up.

AddieCake

We did assigned tables, and we were glad we did. It just eliminated any wandering around, need for "extra" seating, nobody got split up, etc. 

bridalmarch

I'd never heard of open seating before TK. Because we're having a rather large wedding we're doing escort cards. I like being assigned a table number but being assigned a specific spot at a table bothers me. 

miranda holly

We are doing assigned tables, keeping it in groups of friends, coworkers, family, extended family.  We have tables of 8, with some only having 6-7 guests, which will allow some mingling.  I find it easier knowing everyone will have a seat with a group of people they know, and not sitting awkwardly with a bunch of strangers.  It also keeps our tables numbers a little smaller.

medunn

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I should do assigned tables to make everything eassier.

Jen4948

I'd do assigned tables, but not seats.

Keep couples together and think of the relationships between your guests.  For example, put relatives on your father's side together, on your mother's side together, coworkers, group members, casual friends, etc.  And don't put anyone single at a table of all couples.  Also, if you're inviting any children, seat them with their parents.