Seating charts

HannahBrombal

So, I'm kind of thinking of ex-ing a seating chart.  What are you guys doing?  The wedding is actually during our family reunion weekend, so I figure there won't be any problems there and enough of our friends are coming out for our wedding that they shouldn't be stuck on their own in an awkward table situation. I think I just don't like the idea of telling people where to sit.  Our wedding is less formal anyhow, so I think it would fit.  Any ideas?

Lasairiona

If people are sitting down to eat, a seating chart is a must. Otherwise you will have mass chaos. People will get split up and you won't have enough chairs. People actually prefer being told where to sit. Formality is moot. As soon as dinner is over, they can get up and go wherever they want.

pandasquishy

Ditto Lasairiona.  Formality doesn't matter, size does.  I'm assuming that because this is during your family reunion weekend it's going to be at least 50 guests, probably a lot more.  You need to tell people where to sit.  Otherwise groups, couples, families will get split up which is a bummer for them.  People will be dragging around chairs trying to squeeze in at tables and then they have to move place settings and everything.

It's not hard to make a a seating chart, it only took me half an hour to make mine.  With a seating chart you can ensure that your elderly guests won't be sitting near the speakers, and your FIs rowdy friends won't be sitting with your timid Aunt Jane.

Lasairiona

Size does not matter either. For more than 10 people, a seating chart is necessary. If you're having a dessert reception or a cocktail reception, those are the only two times you can get away with not having a seating chart, because they defeat the purpose.

MyNameIsNot

It depends.  Do weddings in your area normally have seating charts?  If so, you need one.  If not, you can probably get away with dropping it.

Keep in mind that if you do go with open seating, you will need to have about 20% extra seating to be sure people don't get separated.  

tracy_k

It's pretty simple to assign people to tables, and if your venue doesn't allow extra seating as pps have mentioned it may be easier to have a seating chart... particularly if it's common in your area.

But I've been to weddings that did not offer seating charts and I have never seen chaos break out. People just figured it out, sat down and enjoyed themselves.

vgmartinez

I'm not doing a seating chart. I actually have never been to a wedding that did have one and we were fine, for the most part. The only one that I wish had a seating chart was a wedding that FI was in. It's awkward when you don't know a single person and have to go around asking if you can sit at a table with complete strangers, so I can see why a seating chart would be a good idea. Either way, as long as you have extra seating there shouldn't be a problem.

Lasairiona

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_seating-charts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:983300b4-915a-4a26-9d39-3a168350a952Post:887bc310-70b9-4b55-bfab-88d0e40a3c5d">Re: Seating charts</a>:
[QUOTE]. It's awkward when you don't know a single person and have to go around asking if you can sit at a table with complete strangers...
Posted by vgmartinez[/QUOTE]
This is why seating charts are done, to prevent this from happening. Why would you put your guests through the headache of being back in the jr high cafeteria trying to figure out where to sit?

MyNameIsNot

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_seating-charts?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:983300b4-915a-4a26-9d39-3a168350a952Post:887bc310-70b9-4b55-bfab-88d0e40a3c5d">Re: Seating charts</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not doing a seating chart. I actually have never been to a wedding that did have one and we were fine, for the most part. The only one that I wish had a seating chart was a wedding that FI was in. It's awkward when you don't know a single person and have to go around asking if you can sit at a table with complete strangers, so I can see why a seating chart would be a good idea. Either way, as long as you have extra seating there shouldn't be a problem.
Posted by vgmartinez[/QUOTE]

<div>You can avoid this problem by making sure your WP is seated with their s/o's; it's the polite thing to do anyway.  </div>

vgmartinez

I agree with seating WP with SOs.

The only bad thing about the wedding I went to with no seating chart was that there was no extra seating anywhere. The chairs were packed in there so tight, you couldn't get up to use the restroom without bumping chairs with people around you. I still say if its normal for your friends and family, then don't do one. If they expect to have seating arrangements, you should do it. You could also just have assigned tables.

JessieGirl1983

I don't think you should have to assign everyone to a specific seat, maybe just a table.  This gives people a little freedom, but like someone else said earlier, it keeps elderly people away from loud speakers, and ensures everyone will have a seat with someone they know.  One wedding (out of town) I went to, I didn't know anyone except my fiance who was sitting at the wedding party table.  The bride sat me at a table full of other people who were without their better half and people who didn't really know anyone, and it was a great way to meet other people who were in the same situation I was in.

I have been to weddings where there weren't seating charts, and that was fine too.. It was a little bit confusing, but not a big deal at all.  If you don't do a seating chart, maybe you can just reserve a few tables close to the wedding table so your family can be close to you..

HannahBrombal

I like the idea of assigning tables and letting people choose their own seats.  I went to a friend's wedding where there was no seating chart and my FI and I got stuck at a table with people we didn't know.  It wasn't horrible since we had each other, but it would have been more enjoyable to sit with people we knew.  I'll think about this and see how it would work with the venue.  Thanks for the tips and advice!!

SuMmErKuTiE

We are assigning tables, but not seats. This way people won't be scarmbling for seats or left to sit with people they're uncomfortable with or don't know. Also, we won't have to pay for extra seating and centerpieces.

stardreamer1223

We're not doing a seating chart. I've never liked them, and everyone just kind of ends up where they want to after they eat anyways. We're not having that many guests and are looking more at either appetizers/buffett style dinner. I know that seating charts are mostly used for sit down dinners where the guest chooses between chicken/beef (ex) on their RSVP. This makes it easier for the servers to know who they need to deliver a particular main course to.

HannahBrombal

Yeah, we are also doing more of a buffet style informal barbeque.  I'm sure people will figure it out and probably be fine; I just want them to feel comfortable with the people they sit with and I'm afraid I'd choose something wrong!