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May 2012 Weddings
RivieraBound
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Anyone NOT having assigned tables?
OK So I originally was planning on doing assigned tables (not seats, just tables) but people are acting like that is weird. We are doing stations, not served meals. I used to live in NY and all weddings I went to, even if buffet, had assigned tables. Now that I am back home in NC, I have never been to any weddings that have assigned tables. And when I ask about it, people give me this weird look.
I don't want to come off as this control freak to people that aren't familiar to assigned tables, but I also don't want to make my northern guests confused since they are used to assigned tables. ughhh
I don't want to come off as this control freak to people that aren't familiar to assigned tables, but I also don't want to make my northern guests confused since they are used to assigned tables. ughhh
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Re: Anyone NOT having assigned tables?
[QUOTE]We aren't doing assigned tables. I have never been to a wedding that did that and I feel like that would add stress to me. I say let people sit where they want and with who they want. We are doing a buffett but people will have plenty of time to get drinks and find a table before the food opens.
Posted by mancila60[/QUOTE]
This! We live in Idaho, but our wedding is in Oregon. I have been to weddings in both states and have not had assigned seating. We are having 80-100 people, so semi-small..
These are some of the logistical reasons that we ARE having assigned tables. Because of the nature of our guests I suspect everyone will get up and mingle anyways, but I do want to make sure that people at least can sit together or with people they know when they are eating instead of having to sit with strangers because thats the only seats left.
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[QUOTE]It depends on how many guests you have attending. I think if it's less than 50 people, you can nix the assigned tables. However, I think it gets a little crazy without assigned tables with a large number of guests. A seating arrangement ensures that your guests will sit with people they know (and get along with), and that<strong> they won't have to split up their party if they are the last ones to sit down and all the tables are full except for one seat each. </strong>
Posted by gpapale1[/QUOTE]
<div>This! I wasn't going to assign tables/ seats, but I didn't want people to have to split up. However, we're also going to have picnic blankets and some other "free" seating, if anyone would like to not sit at their assigned table for whatever reason :)</div>
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[QUOTE]I think especially with bigger weddings, one of the benefits of having assigned tables is that you can make sure eveyone fits with people they know or are likely to get along with...can you imagine being the guest who doesnt know anyone, or the only people they know are at an already full table - who has to find thier own seat? Or the family of 5 that has to be split up because theres only 3 or 4 seats left at every table? These are some of the logistical reasons that we ARE having assigned tables. Because of the nature of our guests I suspect everyone will get up and mingle anyways, but I do want to make sure that people at least can sit together or with people they know when they are eating instead of having to sit with strangers because thats the only seats left.
Posted by toothpastechica[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>THIS. Please have assigned seatings. The few weddings I've been to without it have been terrible, esp. in the situations where I didn't know (literally) anyone else and FI was sitting at the head table.
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[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Anyone NOT having assigned tables? : THIS. Please have assigned seatings. The few weddings I've been to without it have been terrible, esp. in the situations where I didn't know (literally) anyone else and FI was sitting at the head table.
Posted by AurorasEnvy[/QUOTE]
If you didn't know anyone else, how would assigned seating helped you in these situations? I am genuinely curious. I am not having a head table so at least at my wedding you could have sat with your FI lol.
I agree with everyone, I assumed I would do assigned seating. But now I am still having second thoughts. In all the weddings I have been to, I have only been to 4 that had assigned seats and I have never experienced the horror of what you girls are describing at the open seat weddings. Hmmm. The jury is still out I guess.
[QUOTE]I think especially with bigger weddings, one of the benefits of having assigned tables is that you can make sure eveyone fits with people they know or are likely to get along with...can you imagine being the guest who doesnt know anyone, or the only people they know are at an already full table - who has to find thier own seat? Or the family of 5 that has to be split up because theres only 3 or 4 seats left at every table? These are some of the logistical reasons that we ARE having assigned tables. Because of the nature of our guests I suspect everyone will get up and mingle anyways, but I do want to make sure that people at least can sit together or with people they know when they are eating instead of having to sit with strangers because thats the only seats left.
Posted by toothpastechica[/QUOTE]
These are also the reasons why we decided to assign seats. I'm having someone make the escort cards for me, so I'll just have to put together the seating chart :/
[QUOTE]We're not doing them. I've never been to a wedding in Texas where this was done. I'm going to reserve some tables for immediate family, but the rest of the guests can sit as they please. It's a buffett, so serving food isn't an issue. Bonus - one less thing for you to worry about!
Posted by arisia[/QUOTE]
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</div><div>This I am only having 50 people including FI and myself</div>
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Anyone NOT having assigned tables? : If you didn't know anyone else, how would assigned seating helped you in these situations? I am genuinely curious. I am not having a head table so at least at my wedding you could have sat with your FI lol. I agree with everyone, I assumed I would do assigned seating. But now I am still having second thoughts. In all the weddings I have been to, I have only been to 4 that had assigned seats and I have never experienced the horror of what you girls are describing at the open seat weddings. Hmmm. The jury is still out I guess.
Posted by RivieraBound[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>It would be much easier to walk up to a table of strangers with an escort card in my hand and say "Looks like we've been seated together! I'm Samantha, nice to meet you!" than to size up all the spots that are left, walk up to someone's table and interrupt their conversation to ask if the spots are taken or if I can sit there. And then have to do it several times because either they didn't want me to sit by them or the seat was taken.</div><div>
</div><div>Not to mention it's much different knowing that strangers at your table were assigned to sit there instead of them just randomly just picking your table full of all family or friends. Plus, the host would do a better job of placing guests that don't know many people with the other guests that are going to be most likely to mingle and socialize with them.
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</div><div>I don't really feel strongly about most wedding related things, but this is one issue that I do.</div>
And another wedding I was at, my FI was best man and we ended up sitting in the corner. This was after the bride's aunt moved my purse and our coats to another table so she could sit with her family (without telling me).
[QUOTE]I think it may be more of a southern thing to not have a seating chart of any sort. I am doing open seating - my FI was very adamant about this but I agree with the reasoning that it's a lot of extra stress for no reason, and people will be more comfortable choosing their seats. Don't stress, I think it will be okay not having any assigned tables.
Posted by caitlinc09[/QUOTE]
This has mostly been my experience until I went to my friend's wedding this past September in Dallas; she had assigned seating.