Seating Chart vs. Open seating

Laurenlou83

I know this topic has MANY discussions out there but I wanted some opinions on my wedding in particular

We are having a 6pm outdoor ceremony, reception immediately following, all at the same location. Our reception will be heavy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and dancing. Some passed food, some buffet style, and a mashed potato bar; cold apps will be available immediately with hot apps following, and they will be available until they are gone! We are going for a more casual, mingling, dancing , party reception than anything formal (Just fits "us" SO much better).
We will have around 210-220 guests. Most of our guests know each other -- big families, very close with our friends, etc. -- so the question is, do we have a seating chart?! I can see both sides -- less chaos if you have a seating chart, people who don't like each other won't be stuck with one another. BUT why give someone a place to sit when they aren't being served food and there isn't a "dinner time" at the reception? I feel like they will get to their seat and have nothing to do! They will have to get up to get their food and drinks. We are also going to try and keep most apps easy to eat while standing and mingling. Either way I plan on having tables reserved for immediate family by the head table. I have gotten different opinions from fiance, mom, bridesmaids.....
Thoughts?!

itzMS

I would assign tables.

People tend to "spread out" (aka my jacket on one chair, my purse on another) for extra space so tables would look fuller than they are if you choose to make it a free-for-all.

You don't want guests looking for a seat with a full plate of food in one hand and a drink in the other.

I would estimate 90% of people will want to sit down to eat at some point with a plate full of apps and a full drink.

KatWAG

I agree with both PPs. I think you need to serve a full meal because of the timing of your wedding.

Also with over 200 people, I would strongly encourage assigning tables, not specific seats. It makes things more simple. Your guests wont have to race into the reception and save a bunch of seats for the family. It would feel too much like a high school lunch room; trying to find a place to sit with friends.

If you have open seating, it will also add to your cost. More chairs, tables, centerpieces, linens, flatware, etc.

ETA: spelling

TeddiD34

Yup, my vote goes to assigned tables, like PPs. I like not wandering aimlessly, trying to find an empty place to plunk my plate down.

artbyallie

Just a warning; if you choose open seating, you will need extra tables and chairs (I think 10-20% of your guestlist or so?) to account for people not filling up tables on their own. If you assign tables, you can have exactly the right number.

justintime5

I would prefer assigned. There are always the few singles that don't know anyone else and it's awkward having to find a seat.

jessicabessica

I prefer assigned tables.  However, I think you should do what is the norm for your family and social circle.  If people are used to assigned tables, they feel lost with open seating; if people are used to open seating, they feel like you're bossing them around with assigned seating.  

Also, make sure you are having enough apps to serve each person a meal's worth.  I would suggest some stations with heavier food.  

mcda04

My family hates assigned seating so we did open but we did have an extra table and chairs since tables don't normally fill up with open seating.

MuppetFan

I went to a wedding a few months ago that had open seating. It was incredibly confusing. All guests walked around looking for their place cards and finally figured it out. I walked around and saw a ton of tables with a purse and a jacket claiming it but I had no idea who was sitting there. We ended up waiting for more people we knew to come in the room so we could establish a table together. Then, my fiance's grandmother was told she was sitting at the "wrong" table because they considered her part of the bridal party so the old lady had to collect all her stuff and move. We looked around, and there were a lot of tables with just a few people at it because they didn't know anyone.

I never thought anything about it before, this was the first wedding I'd been to that was like that.

The last wedding I went to was like that...but that was a whole debacle in itself and most of the people invited were patrons of a bar anyway.

Abbyjensen

I hate open seating, especially with large amounts of guests. Even though it is casual and there are different food options, I feel like assigned seats are even more important because I feel like I want to have a reserved place to "land" when I do get my food.

Jen4948

I hate open seating-especially when there's a buffet.  I always end up walking around trying to find an "open" seat to begin with, I have to put my things down, and then when I come back I find out that someone has taken my seat.

I advise against it.

If you're doing hors d'oeuvres at a meal time, make sure to have enough of them that people feel full at the end of the reception.

erinlin25

definitely assign tables--especially with such a large guest list. It would be very hectic I think with 200 people strolling around not knowing where to sit. 

erika610

Please do assigned seating. At the very least, assign guests to specific tables. If you'd like to encourage mingling, you can leave an empty seat or two at each table. Your guests will appreciate being offered a "home base," so to speak, as somewhere to leave their belongings. It will also help avoid that high school cafeteria feeling. 

libby2483

Another vote for assigned seating.  If people are getting up several times in order to get something from the buffet or a station or grab an appetizer, you don't want them to have to worry about saving their seat or worrying that someone will take it.