dear seating chart...

pinkiemo

I hate you and hope you die.  I swear this evil seating chart has been the biggest pain of my wedding.  All the "groups" of people are 6-7, but, per our venue, we have to have tables of 10.  Grrrr.

So, what are people's thoughts on open seating?  We're doing a sweetheart table for me and FI, but I'm thinking of letting everyone else just seat themselves where ever the heck they feel like.  Anyone else done this or seen this?  Does it ever work?

danieliza1127

Every wedding I've been to, and that's a LOT, has been open seating.  I have never had a problem with it but people on here sometimes don't like it.  The main thing with open seating is that you need a couple of extra tables so people can spread out and so that groups that want to sit together can.  We had open seating with 2 extra tables and it worked out great.  People sat at all of the tables and as far as I know, everyone sat with who they wanted to sit with.

pinkiemo

Darn, that's the problem.  Our venue can only fit 7 tables of 10 and we have 72 guests, so they're squeezing 5 tables of 10 and 2 tables of 11.  There won't be any room for extra tables.

danieliza1127

Oh, well that's another reason why you shouldn't invite more than your venue can hold. 

Looks like you don't have any other choice than to do assigned tables, especially since you're squeezing some people in.  You may just have to split up some groups.

MyNameIsNot

We did open seating, but again, we had extra tables, so it worked well. 

If the kids are under 3, you'll either need a high chair or a chair for them, so you'll need to count them.  But it would work well to have those kids be at the 11 people tables.

hollieheidi

My advice....use the seating chart. 

First, reserve seats for the wedding party and immediate family.

Second, it shouldn't be a huge deal if you are seperating groups of 6 or 7.  Seat families first (mom, dad, and kids), fill in the blanks with couples and if you have groups of co-workers, say 3-4 if them, then you can fill in the blanks and seperate them.  As long as someone knows one other person it isn't too awkward at the table.

Third, the seating chart allows for seating the older folks away from the dance floor and your FI's frat buddies.  Generally like pp said, the first 25 or so are good for the good seats, but that generally leaves Grandma who is a little slower getting to the reception and families with kids that have to make pit stops, get coats on, etc. as the last ones to arrive.  You don't need a family with an infant trying to find a seat that doesn't border the dance floor or sitting by the DJ booth.

And finally, for sure, babies count, kids count, all ages count for a seat.  I'm a mom of 3 and I would be pissed if I were expected to eat with any of my children in my lap. 

Can you have bar height tables around the dance floor?  You could maybe fit a few more seats in that way instead of full-on rounds.

chrob

Hollieheidi's suggestion on how to tackle the seating chart is really good. Also remember that if you split up a group, you can just put them on tables next to each other, if they are back to back they can just turn around and say hi between courses if they want to, they will still feel like they are together.

flutgrl1

I love open seating. Being told where to sit leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Plus I hate being limited in who I can see at an event. Just have extra tables
(the extra expence on centerpieces etc) is worth it for your guests comfort. Treat adults like adults and let them be free to have a good time.