Is A Seating Chart Necessary?

futuremisses710

Our wedding will have roughly 100 guests.  Mostly family from both sides, and then a few close friends.  How necessary is a seating chart?  I have been to qutie a few weddings and none of them had seating charts.  However, I did notice that some people at the receptions were a little upset because they ended up sitting by people the didn't know, didn't like, etc. because it was the only place to sit once they made it into the reception.  So, is a seating chart really necessary?

salt78

I am a fan of numbered tables, but not specific seats.

crfische

we had between 150 and 200 at out reception with no seating chart, and everyone found a chair, ye gads. But I know a lot of people prefer a seating chart, so whatever your preference is, I suppose!

brookelynpaisley

You don't need to necessarily assign seats, but I would recommend assigning tables so that you can seat people with other guests they either know or will get along with. This also prevents a family from having to be split up if there aren't 4 (or however many of them there are) seats together if they come in last. Assigning tables assures everyone a seat. Also, it's nice to reserve places for grandparents and other family so that they have a good view.

eastunder1

I prefer a seating chart.  There's high potential for confusion and chaos with open seating, and its so easily avoidable by just taking the time to assign people a table.  Why risk the potential for issues if they can be avoided?

tmm140

I made a seating chart but didn't have assigned seats. It made it easier to place people at a table and visually see it. I knew they wouldn't be sitting in those specific seats. Just to have an idea of who would be where.

agk0125

My venue actually requires that we at least assign tables to our guests. You should check if your venue has a policy on this.

tmm140

agk--mine did too!! they wanted an alphabatized list and the table number they would be at. I thought it was a tad stupid.

agk0125

agk--mine did too!! they wanted an alphabatized list and the table number they would be at. I thought it was a tad stupid.Yeah my venue is pretty rigid about a few things and this is definitely one of them. I really don't know why because we're not even having plated service! Oh well..it gives us an excuse to have cute place cards, right?

e_jakiela

I think a seating chart helps with several things:1. helps you make sure that you have enough seats at each table to make everyone get in groups they will like to sit together in. For example: my venue can arrange the tables to seat 8-12 people. I checked and saw that I have groups of about 10 people in each that will have fun if seated together.2. helps guests concentrate on enjoying the coctail hour without thinking: "Am I gonna end up sitting next to this aunt? I better go and get my seat now"3. gives you a chance to do some cute DIY seating cards

sucrets4

Have a seating chart.  We did with 100 people.  People don't have to worry about having their seat stolen if they get up from it.Plus, my escort cards were really cute.

Kristin789

Yes. For all the reasons that have been stated so far, plus this one: I've been to exactly one wedding with no seating chart - where all the bride's young friends ran to the reception venue and snagged all the "down front" seats so they could all sit together and jump up and down to the dance floor all night - and they all knew that there was no seating chart. The bride and groom's middle-aged and elderly relatives, who would be giving the biggest gifts and who traveled the furthest to attend, all got stuck in the back and couldn't see anything, couldn't participate in anything, because it took them longer to get from the wedding venue to the car, then from the car into the reception venue and go to the bathroom again, etc. ... and they had never heard of a reception WITHOUT a seating chart so they didn't know that they should hurry as best they could. They expected to have been respected with the preferred "down front" seats with the other family members who they knew.

ring_pop

However, I did notice that some people at the receptions were a little upset because they ended up sitting by people the didn't know, didn't like, etc. because it was the only place to sit once they made it into the reception.If you don't want this to happen at your wedding... then I think you've got your answer right here.

banana468

I'm always a huge fan of seating charts.

IfferMarie

We had over 100 people and didn't have a seating chart. I didn't know exactly who was and was not coming. Even though some people RSVP they don't show up and then people don't RSVP and do show up. I didn't want to deal with that. I reserved two tables near us for our parents and grandparents to sit at and the rest people were chose where they sat. Didn't seem like anyone minded.