Just chairs at the reception?

Re: Just chairs at the reception?

• Lasairiona member

  

  March 2010

  No. Tables are a must in addition to chairs for everyone. I have been to events where there were just chairs (for half the guests and the other half was required to stand the entire time) and it was a mess because people had to balance a plate on their laps (in fancy clothes) or else put them on the floor and pray that nothing happened to them. The same goes for their drinks and purses and whatnot. You are either going to have pay money to rent tables or find a different venue that already has them included.

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• trix1223 member

  

  March 2010

  I'd be annoyed at just chairs if you're expecting me to hold my "stuff" and a cake plate and a glass of punch and snacks.  Where exactly do you put all of that?
  
  And to have table space for your families but not your guests is just really rude, IMO.
  
  I think you have too many people for your space.  And there's no real away around that except to cut your guest list or find a new location.
  
  But know, if you don't do either of those, and don't have tables...or put some guests in another room, people might just leave pretty quickly.
  

  "Trix, it's what they/our parents wanted. Why so judgemental? And why is your wedding date over a year and a half ago? And why do you not have a groom's name? And why have you posted over 12,000 posts? And why do you always say mean things to brides?" palegirl146

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• Lasairiona member

  

  March 2010

  Everyone deserves equal treatment. Family and wedding party should never be treated better than the rest of your guests.

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• tracy_k member

  

  March 2010

  Put out the tables your venue offers, with lots of chairs around the tables and clustered separately, and you will be just fine. It's just cake & punch, it's not even a meal.
  
  I do agree with pps that you should avoid treating your family and wedding party differently than your guests. You can have reserved seating for older guests and/or expectant moms, and everyone else will manage just fine, I promise.
  
  It's very rare to attend a casual party that offers table seating for all guests. Your guests will easily figure out what to do.

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• Lasairiona member

  

  March 2010 edited March 2010

  It might be considered customary in some areas, but most people agree, regardless of where they live, that limited seating is a surefire way to upset people into leaving asap. Forced standing does not encourage people to stay, despite what many will tell you otherwise. Either way, it's rude and there is no excuse to validate it. Provide enough tables and chairs for each guest equally or cut the guest list.

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• lalap69 member

  

  March 2010

  I *hate* eating food off of my lap.  It's bad enough to do it in jeans and a tshirt, but dressed up for a wedding?  HATE. 
  
  I'd probably just not eat anything to avoid having to manage it, and go home annoyed at you.
  
  If I saw that you couldn't provide a table for me and the other guests, but you had one for yourselves, your family and your WP, I'd be pissed.  That's just rude.  You need to treat all your guests the same.  I think it also says something that your willing to discomfort your guests but won't take on that discomfort for yourself.
  
  I want to know what your "reasons beyond anyone's control" are for being unable to cut the guest list or change locations.  Every bride deals with constraints, but if your space is too small for your number of guests, then something's got to give.  That something should not be your guests' comfort.
  

  Planning Our Wedding - Updated 04/11/11
  
  "If you can't think of something nice to say, don't say something nice" - Stephen Colbert

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• Simply Fated member

  

  March 2010

  Yeah, tables are a must, even if it is just cake and punch...
  
  And if you are still doubtful, take it upon yourself to take out your best dress and try it. Plate on your lap... fork in one hand, bright red stain-filled punch in the other.
  Now, eat. Not fun, amirite?
  
  Royalty may have done that 600 years ago... where the guests would literally stand around and watch the royal family while they ate at tables... but that just isn't how it is anymore... and for good reason.
  For the love of your guests, provide tables for them, please.
  
  
  

  
  

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• danieliza1127 member

  

  March 2010

  Well just imagine that without tables, your guests will have to set their drink on the floor and hold their plate while they eat cake.  I think that's tacky and rude.  You need to have tables.  You don't have to spend a fortune on linens and centerpieces.  You can buy the linen look alikes at Walmart and do very simple inexpensive centerpieces yourself with a cylinder vase and floating candle with ribbon around the vase if you want something simple. 

  
  

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• mlstahlschmidt

  

  March 2010

  What would be really awesome in this idea is to have a lounge area and then cocktail tables around the room.  You have to have chairs because people need to sit at some point, but just chairs would look tacky.  If you had a lounge area then you could do two sofas, ottomans that would dounle as seating, and tables to have decor and set drinks.  Then the cocktail tables around the room would add extra spaces for people to conversate and a little more decor to the room.

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• stardreamer1223

  

  March 2010

  I've been to an event where there were bar rounds (the small and high tables). It allowed people a chance to put their drinks/plates down and made it a nice atmosphere for mingling.

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