African American Weddings

Seating Chart - did you do it? Is it needed?

Ok, Ladies, I am trying not to drive myself crazy with wedding planning so when there appears to be something that might not need to be planned, I think twice.Married ladies, and everyone planning, is/was a seating chart a big advantage?  Is it really helpful in making the reception nice for everyone?  FI and I will have a range of people, some single, some married, some older, some younger, some from college, some from work, just a mixmash.  I feel like folk will naturally gravitate to the people that they know and will be happiest if I don't seat them but let them sit where they want to sit.  But that's me.  I'm outgoing.  I've heard that some people are not comfortable not having assigned seating. I want my guests to be happy.  At the same time, I do not want the time investment or expense of making out seating arrangements and escort cards, etc. if it's not really going to make anything any nicer or if the guests will be just as happy finding their own seats.What did you do?  Was it alot of work to do the seating charts (if you did them) alot of expense for the cards (if you bought them).  Did you let people find their own seats.  Did that work out ok?  Did people start pulling chairs from other tables and squeezing in at tables where there aren't any place settings (I've heard that this could happen although I would hope my guests have more class than that, but who knows).What did you do?  How did it work out?

Re: Seating Chart - did you do it? Is it needed?

  • edited December 2011
    Well how many guest are you talking about? I am having 200-210 so I'm doing seating chart with assigned seating as well. Some people just do a seating chart for what table and leave it to guest to sit at whatever seat. I have to do it monitor uninvited guest and plus the dinner will be plated. If the list is short then it probably will work out. I want people to come in and not be searching around for a seat.


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  • viccimarieviccimarie member
    10 Comments
    edited December 2011
    I did a seating chart for the table but didn't do assigned seating. We had 150 guests and it worked very well for us because the people that didn't RSVP thought they could just show up and have a seat! Then I thought about people just sitting with people they know and then a table might have like 3 or 4 people there just because someone else doesn't know them. I liked the seating chart it worked well for us and it made things run smoothly. The people that didn't have a card waited in the overflow area until a certain time and they were seated where empty chair were. Yeah it also depends on how many guest you will be having too.
  • adgenyaadgenya member
    500 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're doing assigned tables but not assigned seats. The escort cards only cost $30 for 150 and we're printing them. I would make the decision off of the amount of guests you are expecting. If more than 100, then yes. I went to a wedding this past summer where it was "open seating" and it was definitely inconvenient. The bride and groom had enough seats for everyone, but that alone didn't guarantee that their guests got to sit with each other. Families/couples were broken up and it was awkward seeing guests try and search for seats that could accommodate their "group". If you don't want to assign tables/seats, having a few extra tables will help you avoid the "awkwardness" we went through.
  • edited December 2011
    Ladies, In response to the queries, we are having about 100 people, including the wedding party.  The dinner will be plated, however, so I don't want anyone showing up and sitting down and eating that isn't invited. LOL.  (But I'm serious).  I guess monitoring who is in the house (and eating) is reason alone to do the escort cards and assigned seating.  We won't have extra plates (they are 60/plate) so we need to make sure we don't have extra folk just showing up and settling into the mix. Ok, I guess I'll do the chart.
  • edited December 2011
    I got a free seating chart from a wedding website online months ago, I might still have the email with the seating chart template, but I also have it downloaded on my computer at work. If you want to use it, email me and I will send it to you: mahoganieyes@hotmail.com


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  • edited December 2011
    We are having a seating chart. We decided to mix our tables with 3 from each side (6 per table). We are grouping by age though, to allow people a chance for complimentary conversation. We are also doing an ice breaker question about us at each table to get conversations started. But our guest list is no more than 90 people, max.
  • edited December 2011
    @Lovie..the icebreaker question is a good idea.We're just doing a assigned tables. Our dinner is plated also and we don't want to split families up but instead mix them together. Our guest list is 40 max so that should give everyone a chance to mix and mingle. I have already heard other people's opinions on seating but hey...it our day and we're gonna do what suits us.
  • edited December 2011
    Seating charts can get frustrating and can be time consuming if you have a long guest list. Maybe just reserve the tables that you want your immediate family to sit and the rest just let people sit where they please....
  • missevansmissevans member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We did ours a little different.  We only did seating charts (table only, not assigned seats) for the special tables with our parents and the guests of the bridal party.  Everyone else had the same entree (with the exception of the vegan plate and the planner knew who she was) so we did what I like to call "restaurant style" seating.  We had four hostesses and the planner had 8 assistants on hand.  After being checked in by a hostess would they would proceed to the assistants and tell them how many of them would like to sit together.  Then they were escorted to a table that could accomodate them.  This worked out very well because we had large groups who wanted to be together (estate tables) and some couples who were able to fill in some of the round tables.  
  • Vanessa AVanessa A member
    100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We're also doing assigned tables but not assigned seats. Right now I think this will be easier for us (my mom and me). Since we have the seating diagram approved from our venue (I designed it, YEA), my mom has already placed some people where she wants them, lol...although we havent mailed invites yet.
  • braxtongirlbraxtongirl member
    Eighth Anniversary 100 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Didn't read the other post but if you want a seating chart, I can email you mine. It was great. I used it in conjunction with my escort cards. I actually kept it because it came out great. I had it blown up at Kinko. One tip, do not print this until like a day and half before because it changes last minute because that is how people are! It was very easy, its in PowerPoint.
  • edited December 2011
    I hate going to weddings and the early birds have most of the seats reserved with coats,  umbrellas,  purses ect... I went to a wedding with out assigned seats and i was stuck by myself with people who did not speak english. My date was 5 tables away. My FI family is the type who show up early or send one person to "reserve" seats. My family is very laid back and stays behind to take pictures catch up ect... So i will be doing a seating chart for tables. The guest can get up and move around after the meal is served.
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