Logistical Question

McRogol

So perhaps this should be posted in "Reception Ideas" but I trust all you etiquette ladies' opinions.  My FI and I wanted to not have the typical 12 round tables of 10 wedding reception.  We don't think there's anything wrong with that - it just didn't feel like the right fit for us.  So, FI and I were thinking along the lines of cocktail party-ish with plenty of food so our guests feel like they were getting a meal and not starved, and wanted people to mingle, eat, dance and generally act like it was a party and not a wedding reception.  Our plan was to have a mix of high top tables (no chairs) and low cocktail tables, and then reserved seating for our older family members.

After reading numerous posts, I can see how that's not a good idea...I successfully convinced FI that we need a chair for every bottom and if we want to do open seating, then we need to have 10-15% extra tables/chairs so that no one winds up in an awkward situation.  AND that reserving seats for some but not others may give the impression that some guests are more important and deserve a reserved seats and some are forced fend for themselves.  Definitely not the impression we want to give.  

So my question...

How do I layout the room (it's an historical building, shaped like a dog bone, the band and dance floor at the end over looking the ocean) to encourage movement and mingling, and not have everyone glued to their seats the whole night?  We're thinking of mixing a food table or the "welcome/guestbook table" in with the seating so people are moving around a bit...But I just don't know and this is the first event of this size I've ever put together.  

I'm feeling like we might just have to accept that this is a wedding reception and not solely a kick-a$$ party...And go with what people will expect.  

All ideas welcome!

TIA

lyndausvi

Well my wedding was still a kick-ass party. We just had a bunch tables around.

Have a  mix of high-tops and bistro style tables , maybe even bench seats or sofas Then have normal tables for 8 or so around also.    You just need seats, they don't have to be round tops.   (assuming you do not need to cut your food.)

Wheels987

Create different mingling areas like you've mentioned. People still might stay in one spot, but if there are different things in different areas, you're more likely to get some mingling.

I REALLY wanted to do a cocktail type of thing (with lots of food). But FI said his family would be expecting a meal. Not enough food to be a meal. But a sit down, pile of food on a plate, meal. So instead we're setting up three different type of areas.

1. Lawn with "family style" tables for everyone to sit down and eat their food. (on one side of the dance area)
2. Dance area
3. Cocktail/lounge area. This will be on the other side of the dance area (a little removed). We'll have loungy seating, cocktail tables, a few lower tables, and a fire pit.

This made everyone happy! I just hate only having the option of sitting at the dinner table or dancing. I want to do lots of stuff

KendraED2012

I think you need to make sure there is a chair for every person because old or young you can not know for sure who can handle standing for a period of time. I would be very turned off, if I knew ahead of time I would decline. Since chances are your guest won't know ahead of time, I would end up leaving early if I had to stand for the "party".
Mix the style that you want but provide chairs, if it's at the tables or a sofa on the side just make sure seating is there.

STARMOON44

FIrst- ask your venue.  They may have ideas that work with the unique space.

Are you doing a buffet or plated meals?  That's one way to get people up and going.

In addition to a bar, can you maybe set up a signature cocktail station on the other side of the room to encourage people to move around a bit?

An ice cream bar is a great way to get people out of their seats later in the evening, even the ones who don't dance.

But- my biggest tip (assuming you're having dancing) is to get a great band/dj.  Someone who can read the room and keep playing what people are into.  People typically like to dance to stuff they're familiar with, so now isn't necessarily the time to introduce them to your obscure favorites (not that this is a problem, just it won't necessarily encourage mingling).

McRogol

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_logistical-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a27001e1-42bd-4c9d-94fb-2aca7d19324ePost:119c4689-2d57-4783-96be-638c8ce991eb">Re: Logistical Question</a>:
[QUOTE]I think you need to make sure there is a chair for every person because old or young you can not know for sure who can handle standing for a period of time. I would be very turned off, if I knew ahead of time I would decline. Since chances are your guest won't know ahead of time, I would end up leaving early if I had to stand for the "party". Mix the style that you want but provide chairs, if it's at the tables or a sofa on the side just make sure seating is there.
Posted by KendraED2012[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I appreciate your input.  We will be having a chair for every person as I mentioned in my OP.</div>

McRogol

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_logistical-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a27001e1-42bd-4c9d-94fb-2aca7d19324ePost:363cb945-02e1-49cc-82dd-c72b938d402c">Re:Logistical Question</a>:
[QUOTE]We actually just had 4 really long rectangular tables in the middle of the room and seating and small tables around the edges, mixed with food tables and drink tables. People were pretty much always sitting, but never in the same place for more than 15 or 20 minutes.
Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I can picture that...so, maybe people would have like a "home base" to put their handbags, etc and still mingle around to other tables/areas of the reception...  </div><div>
</div><div>Thank you!</div>

McRogol

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_logistical-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:a27001e1-42bd-4c9d-94fb-2aca7d19324ePost:ee85dacf-b8d0-4586-8389-f339f3ab35d6">Re: Logistical Question</a>:
[QUOTE]In addition to a bar, can you maybe set up a signature cocktail station on the other side of the room to encourage people to move around a bit? <div>
</div><div>Great idea!  </div><div>
</div><div>We're having "food stations" which when the caterer explained it to me just sounded like a new name for buffet except the food is kitschier, so that should help too.

</div>

bryemar

So I saw this on Four Weddings, yes I am a sucker for wedding shows . 

There were a couple of weddings that had the DJs instructed everyone to take a dollar out of their purse/wallet, pass them around, and when he stopped the music, the last person who has the dollar has to get up and dance around the table then dance with the person from neighboring table. It looks like fun and seems to help w/ people mingling. 

There is another popular wedding game out there too. It's called the shoe game. http://www.bridalguide.com/blogs/bridal-buzz/the-shoe-game

Here is a website for multiple wedding games: 

http://www.planace.com/disc-jockeys/weddings/resources/wedding-reception-games-and-fun

It looks like some of the games will make people get out of their chairs and hopefully their comfort zone too . Good luck!