Is this a bad idea?

ashbosity

We are having an informal BBQ reception. I am not planning on doing a seating chart because I want it to feel like a family get together. Is this just asking for chaos? We are expecting about 75 guests, all of which are family or very close friends (mostly mine). We are planning on having more chairs than people. I want people to feel free to mingle, but not feel awkward.

jml1981

I don't think so. I'm having a more formal reception with about 60 people & I think it would be more awkward at mine to have a seating chart. I know a lot of girls aren't having one with even more people. It sounds like a good idea to me. My cousins reception was that way & it was fun to move around and sit different places to talk to people when we were done eating...

rachel801231

I think it would be perfectly fine. You are adding extra seats to give people options so you have the biggest issue taken care of (people getting to sit by whom they wish).

jbrook12

I think it will be fine. We are not doing a seating chart and we are also serving BBQ at our reception. I like everyone to get to decide who they are sitting with and be comfortable with who they are sitting with.

kostyalya

I think it's fine too. We're doing a seating chart, but that's mainly because we want to be sure some folks who don't know many people will be near people they have lots in common with. We didn't assign seats though -- just tables (and our tables are mostly connected) so it'll be a very communal type seating arrangement. And since dancing is up on the patio and dining is in the tent, they won't be there long anyway. Once the crowd moves up to the patio, which has seating available for the non-dancing folks, the seating chart won't matter anyway.

w+c3

I think you will be fine without a seating chart.

bstengler

i dont think you would need one... were doing one but we have some people who shouldnt sit with others... but we will make it work.

elidellio

We're having around 120 guests and no seating chart. I wouldn't worry about it. People will figure it out.

rebeccaa12

The only reason I'm doing one is because I have divorced parents drama. If not, I wouldn't have bothered with a seating chart at all. You should be just fine

andreamarie77

I'm sure it will be fine - I originally wasn't going to do one (and we have 120 people coming) but ended up doing it just to avoid some family drama.

If everyone that is coming gets along and there won't be any of that awkward "where should I sit because I don't know anyone" then I would say to forget about it.  Especially since it's more casual and everything.