Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers?

Lambbop

FI and I are trying to accommodate for the last few people we haven't gotten RSVPs from as well as any surprise guests who might show up at our wedding. We have a seating chart and are trying to determine how to let those additional guests know where to sit.

Would you label it? Or just leave it blank?

For example:
 "Overflow seating......Table 13"
or "No RSVP......Table 13"

Just not sure what to do.

Any ideas?

pokepoke27

I wouldn't label it either. It's kind of like pointing out to everyone else that everyone seated at THIS table didn't RSVP. 

Lambbop

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-seating-chart-label-a-table-for-non-rsvpers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b65e2f42-7cf3-4283-aed9-0f749d92a8abPost:7d4ffb24-2df8-4f70-8293-10f2a2df6ba7">Re: Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers?</a>:
[QUOTE]I wouldn't label it either. It's kind of like pointing out to everyone else that everyone seated at THIS table didn't RSVP. 
Posted by pokepoke27[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I hear that. I really don't want to embarrass anyone, but I don't want anyone to feel "lost" either.

We won't really have a staff that could direct people... but maybe I should ask an aunt or someone to direct any guests that look lost to one of the spare tables?

LeiselEB

I agree, don't put anything about that on the seating chart. 

I'd appoint someone to wait until most guests find their seats before taking theirs. Then that person can direct any stragglers to the open table.

monkeysip

Have you contacted the non-RSVPers?

How often does it happen that you have surprise people show up at a wedding? (I'm honestly asking)

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-seating-chart-label-a-table-for-non-rsvpers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b65e2f42-7cf3-4283-aed9-0f749d92a8abPost:f14ea7cd-5bba-4cd7-9942-0016cee2b90b">Re: Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers?</a>:
[QUOTE]Have you contacted the non-RSVPers? How often does it happen that you have surprise people show up at a wedding? (I'm honestly asking)
Posted by monkeysip[/QUOTE]

<div>This is what I'm wondering.  You really shouldn't be having that many surprise guests.  Call the people you haven't heard from and ask them if they are coming or not.  If you don't hear back, leave them a message that says that you need to know a firm answer either way by x date, and if you have not heard from them by x date, you will need to assume they are not coming and you will miss them.</div>

tpender13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-seating-chart-label-a-table-for-non-rsvpers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b65e2f42-7cf3-4283-aed9-0f749d92a8abPost:666904d2-f3d5-49d7-8190-1829c818f4d5">Re: Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers? : This is what I'm wondering.  You really shouldn't be having that many surprise guests.  Call the people you haven't heard from and ask them if they are coming or not.  If you don't hear back, leave them a message that says that you need to know a firm answer either way by x date, and if you have not heard from them by x date, you will need to assume they are not coming and you will miss them.
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]

This.

Lambbop

There are 9 people I haven't heard from. RSVP date was May 1 wedding is next week. Trust me... we have been trying to get a hold of these people. The majority (7 of the 9) are soldiers in FI's unit who won't even know if they can come until last minute.

I'm not sure what the rate is on "surprise" guests, but a lot of my friends have said they've had at least 1 or 2 people who just showed up.

I think it's incredibly rude to call people and tell them if I don't hear from them that they're uninvited. That is my opinion, that's how I was raised. You don't take back an invitation. I realize they are being rude by not RSVPing, but these are still people I like and want there and FI and I would be glad if they ended up showing up.

tpender13

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_reception-seating-chart-label-a-table-for-non-rsvpers?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:b65e2f42-7cf3-4283-aed9-0f749d92a8abPost:e32dd4c0-dc25-4168-9f57-b1e179a353ba">Re: Reception seating chart - label a table for non-RSVPers?</a>:
[QUOTE]There are 9 people I haven't heard from. RSVP date was May 1 wedding is next week. Trust me... we have been trying to get a hold of these people. <strong>The majority (7 of the 9) are soldiers in FI's unit who won't even know if they can come until last minute.</strong> I'm not sure what the rate is on "surprise" guests, but a lot of my friends have said they've had at least 1 or 2 people who just showed up. I think it's incredibly rude to call people and tell them if I don't hear from them that they're uninvited. That is my opinion, that's how I was raised. You don't take back an invitation. I realize they are being rude by not RSVPing, but these are still people I like and want there and FI and I would be glad if they ended up showing up.
Posted by Lambbop[/QUOTE]

Because of this, I would plan for those people to be there, and make sure you have the space JIC. To me, that's a legitimate reason for not RSVPing. And to me, in most other circumstances, calling someone and saying "If we don't hear from you by X date, we'll assume you won't be there." isn't rude, and it isn't the same as saying "You're no longer invited." It's just letting people who may be clueless about RSVPing (as I've been in the past) that you really do need to know if you'll be there or not.

Lambbop

I am planning for the extra people. I have extra tables, extra chairs, extra food, etc. The original question was just asking how to let them know where to sit if they do show up. 

myname1234

I pretended they were there.

Joe no response....Table 13
Suzie no response....Table 13.


Quite likely Table 13 will be empty, but at least it' there.

Also, I'd give the soldiers a break.  They HAVE responded...but they dont know.  I have a few like that too.  Their response is "not sure".  IMO those are better than the ones that don't answer any attempts at all

annettem922

You could always add them to the seating chart like everyone else and put them at the last table.  This way it looks like you planned for them to be there and no one is lost or embarrassed. We have the same problem and just printed place cards with their names and have them sitting at the last table (table 8). 

ARG43

Do you have to put them all at the same table?  If it were me, I might consider putting each person/couple at a different table.  That way, there isn't an empty table at the end, in case it happens that they aren't able to make it.