Seating Chart Necessary?

[Deleted User] · December 2011

I've never been to a wedding where seats or even tables have been assigned. I didn't even think about the possiblity of having assigned seating at my wedding until recently. I was just going to have a sweetheart table and let everyone else sit wherever they want.

I'm inviting 150 people and we're having a buffett style reception. Do I really need assigned tables or seating?

mrshall1027 · December 2011

Someone else posting something similar to this earlier and there were several good reasons in others responses to have a seating chart. Check it out:

http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_experiences-having-seating-plan

FLsweetpea1979 · December 2011

I very much believe in assigned tables...especially for weddings over 80-100 guests (FWIW I am also having a wedding of about 150 guests, buffet dinner, though we are not doing assigned seats, just assigned tables). I just think that it helps things to be more organized, gets guests seated more quickly and ensures that guests who don't know many people aren't seated alone. I've been to several weddings without assigned tables and the same thing always happens... you have too many people trying to ft in at one table, and then you inevitably have some people sitting at tables alone. I just think that it is a nice courtesy for your guests to not have to worry about seating.

[Deleted User] · December 2011

See, I've never been to a wedding with assigned tables and I've never seen it as a problem before.

jennylove810 · December 2011

The only weddings I've been to where tables were *not* assigned were very casual, almost backyard BBQ events. Because it's the norm to assign tables here, those weddings were also fairly disorganized and people weren't terribly thrilled with the arrangements (or lack thereof). I'd recommend a seating chart.

Avion22 · December 2011

I've never been to a wedding that didn't at least have assigned tables. Assigning tables/seats give the hosts a way to seat people with people they know, or possibly to introduce them to new people that they will have a lot in common with. My fiance and I met at my cousin's wedding because we were sat at the same table:-)

If you DON'T do assigned seats/tables, then you will want to have enough seating for all of your guests plus about 10%. This will keep people from having to split themselves up if they arrive late and there aren't tables left with enough seats. Also, you will likely have people trying to squeeze more people than a table was intended to seat, and some people sitting at tables all by themselves. It happens.

aragx6 · December 2011

It's not only more kind to your guests -- particularly those who don't know a lot of people -- it's also easier on your budget. If you don't assign tables you'll need extra tables (which means extra centerpieces) because people won't naturally fill the tables in and you'll inevitably have empty seats at some.

heb557 · December 2011

Assigned tables.. IMO a MUST! Saves a ton of hassle!

DramaGeek · December 2011

I think it's a matter of what your crowd is used to. I'm the same as you - I've never been to a wedding with assigned seating, and I'd be put off by it, quite frankly. I want to choose my own seat and tablemates, thank you very much. If you've never been to a wedding with assigned seating, I'm guessing your guests will be used to open seating and will be able to handle it.

LRPJ · December 2011

We did assigned tables--and so glad we did. I have been to far too many weddings where the guests scramble to find a seat before the wedding party is introduced (they were mingling during cocktail hour, restroom, etc)...I've actually seen couples have to split up because there wasn't enough room left.

I think assigned tables is a nice courtesty to your guests. It was a little extra work, but we are SO glad we did it.

maccor16 · January 2012

I like at least assigned tabes. One wedding i went to recently had assigned tables and the bride and groom put thought into where people sat, it was much easier being told what table to sit at then another wedding a few months ago where there were no assigned tables or seats. It felt much more disorganized and people were trying to cram more people into a table then it was set for. We are going to assign tables for sure, mostly to have everything organized and make it easy on the guests.

ljkahl · January 2012

wow. now i'm really wondering about my intentions. i'm going for a casual outdoor bbq buffet reception. i figured seating arrangements would feel too formal for our laid back reception. hmm.

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