Seating charts=HUGE pain in my arss

hmschults

Why or why are there odd numbers of guests...I am suppossed to have 8 at a table and it seems like for the most part there are 9 or 6 in the groups....grrr thought this part would be funner...and then of course everyone has an opinion

mkorba439

I feel your pain your my date twin and our tables are 10 and most are 9 or 8 or 7. I gave final numbers yesterday to the venue and my fi gets an email from a friend who had two adults and 1 kid and there not coming now even though they RSVP nice since you just made us pay 200 plus the kiddy activity box for your kid. GREAT! I feel your pain!

**Mutley**

I must say that reading posts like this one make me glad that I decided to have 6 long banquet tables for all of our family and guests.  Each table can accommodate up to 24 people. I also made the seating chart WITHOUT anyone's opinion.  I asked my FMIL if there is anyone who cannot be at the same table, but that was it.  (And those people are going to be at the same table anyways.  We figured with 24 seats to chose from, they don't HAVE to sit next to one another.) I find that it is much easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.   

carefer

I second Mutley, the minute you ask anyone's opinion it gets stressful. Too many hands in the cookie jar.

hmschults

Yeah I don't even need to ask..opinions just come flowing at me..FI's stepmother is also telling me that I need to put their friends table close to theirs, if they can't all fit at their table..Just got the seating chart on friday and they tell me sunday that it is due today..and now getting emails..we need your seating chart...blah...really not liking this..have to go into work now

**Mutley**

Do what makes sense to you and whatever is the least stressful path.  Ignore unsolicited comments.  I also look at it this way.  People can mingle during cocktail hour and after dinner.  They really only NEED to be seated during dinner.  If they cannot deal with making small talk for that time, then they need to grow up.  Deep breaths! 

anglyn

There has to be a way to split groups. Seperate the kids? Just put the split at a nearby table. I'm sure people will understand.

Beezo23

This was a stressful part for me/us, too.  We had anywhere from 7 to 10 people at each table.  It worked out nicely and I think everyone was happy with where they sat. The other thing, you can't make EVERYONE happy.  It's about you and your FI.  Do what works best and let it be.  I know it's hard when people share their opinions, but it's almost impossible to make all guests happy.  Many won't even be sitting all nite, but hopefully up partying, mingling, and dancing!

hmschults

Thanks guys...I am trying not to get stressed! My mom's opinion was "just don't do them, people sit whereever they want anyways"..thanks mom but Kennolyn requires me to do one...FI says "people can always just pull up chairs and sit where ever they want..haha and those we my most "helpful" suggestions ha..now I am off to work..at least starting sunday I will be off of work till after the wedding..yeah light at the end of the table

ssmb_clarinet

Can I ask a possibly dumb question...are seating charts absolutely necessary? I had never even thought to have one. I figured people could just sit where they wanted to sit...is that uncommon for wedding receptions?

hmschults

haha...I think that it depends, most of the weddings that I have been to had assigned seating. More informal wedding don't necessarily. The venue requested one. I am having 25 children at my wedding as well, so they want to be able to get the high chairs and boosters set up. We are having plated salads and kids meals. So they want to know where to put what...also we are having a buffet but there is a plated option for the people who specified vegitarian...that way there will be seats for everyone..if there was no seating charts some families might have to split up if there are not the right number of seats at a table