Fi and I went to a formal business event on Thursday night. The keynote speaker was the VP of the ECJ-- basically he's like a Supreme Court Justice but for Europe. Extremely important guy.
After the mingling portion, we were asked to sit down. No tables or seats were assigned. Shortly after we sat, this very kind middle-aged woman with an accent comes over to our table and asks if she can join us. We say "of course!" and start talking to her.
Well, turns out she is the wife of the keynote speaker! When she went to sit down, too many professors and other guests crowded around the keynote speaker and she was the odd one out left without a chair. This poor woman.
Assigned seats I could take or leave, but every time a bride/groom says people will just "figure it out" without even assigned tables, there is bound to be trouble. You DO NOT want the wife of your keynote speaker to be left without a chair at her husband's table! Eeesh.
"I'm not a rude bitch. I'm ten rude bitches in a large coat."
Re: Another case for assigned tables
That is awful. I don't necessarily like assigned tables because I tend to avoid all formal events but I can see why they would be needed at something like that. In my group we have a more than 100 people you assign tables, less than 100 you don't.
I think its a definite know your crowd type of thing. My family and most of our guests would have thought we were extremely rude by assigning tables. Hell some of my family thought I was "showing off" by serving dinner at a 6pm reception. But we had at least 3 extra tables and there were no issues. There was also a total of only 60ish people at our wedding. So we ended up with 4 or 5 empty tables. But if your guests are used to assigned tables, I think its best that you do use them.
*Formerly ctexasgurl26 and mrsridings061513*
Baby William born June 11, 2014 Weighing 6 lbs 5 oz and 17.5 inches long
*Formerly ctexasgurl26 and mrsridings061513*
Baby William born June 11, 2014 Weighing 6 lbs 5 oz and 17.5 inches long
So, while I definitely agree that it can depend on what your guests are used to, I prefer assigned tables.
I've only been to one event with assigned seats (not just tables) and I really appreciated it in that instance. I give credit to the hostess for giving our seats thought.