Escort Cards, love it or leave it?

stardust21587 · June 2010

I keep going around in circles over whether or not I want to have a seating chart for our guests.

On one hand, I think it would be nice to have the tables closest to the head table be reserved for moms/dads, etc...but on the other hand....my family might be too dumb to figure it out *sigh* (is this wedding over yet? ugh).

Did you all have (or are you planning to) open seating or assigned tables?

Britt1406 · June 2010

lol... What I'm planning on doing is just putting up "reserved" signs at the tables closest to the head table and telling our families that is for them. Then everyone else can fin for themselves out of the rest of the tables.

x3Harmony534 · June 2010

I really like them. I feel like that one socially awkward guest might put a table of people who know each other well over capacity, or those couples who don't know anyone will be left feeling extra awkward trying to decide on a table.

stardust21587 · June 2010

Yeah. See, thats what Im thinking too...I dont want anyone to feel akward by having to sit at a table like that. I guess I'll look around on theknot and see what techniques ppl used and see what would work best for us. I also do like the idea of just reserving the "special" tables and letting everyone else decide on where to sit...decisions, decisions..

Blonde407 · June 2010

I have been to a handful of wedding that did open seating and it never goes well. I personally would rather be told where to sit and if you have guests that don't know anyone you can always put them at a table with people you think they would get along with. Then you also don't run the risk of your FI college buddies get stuck at a table with your grandparents neighbors lol.

Theresa626 · June 2010

I think assigned seating is absolutely necessary and your guests will appreciate you for it. The only wedding I've been to that didn't have it, I didn't know anyone and the tables filled up in a mad rush and I didn't get to sit with the person I came with. it was horrible. My mom didn't have assigned seating at her wedding and guests actually had the audacity to come up to her and complain about it and say they were irritated that they couldn't sit together or find a seat.

stardust21587 · June 2010

Ok! Thanks so much for the advice. I've been to like, 2 weddings ever...so I wasn't really sure of what ppl would prefer. Sounds like we should def work something out then!!

irisheyezfsu · June 2010

I love it. I agree with the other ladies that it helps stop some awkward situations or the mad stampede to the "good" tables. Though trust me there can be still some awkwardness with seating charts. The wedding I was just in my parents were placed a table I noticed besides them had 3 people sitting at it. Aparently the others at the table just decided to move soon after the reception started and then my parents didn't dance because one the ladies at the table came along and they didn't want her sitting by herself and the other woman was in treatment for cancer so she wasn't able to dance or a lot of activity. My parents took it all in stride but I did feel they were in a semi awkward situation especially since half the table ditched.

jmucheech21 · June 2010

Yes, I agree with everyone!! I have never had a good situation with "choose your own" seating. Its always stressful and inevitably someone always seems to get left out.

That being said, good luck making it because I do know it can be a real pain!! Hopefully it will be nice and easy for you!!

sarah42nd · June 2010

I agree with everyone if you have alot of people that don't know each other , then I would have assigned seating . I am having open seating just because almost everyone knows each other and I am also having extra tables and chairs .

cherriterri519 · June 2010

I agree that you should assign people to tables. We had a few guests at our wedding who didn't know anyone else besides their dates, and I'm sure it would have been really awkward for them if they had to pick their own table. It ended out working really well because some of those people became friends and went out together later that night.
Here's a pic of what I did for my seating chart/escort cards:

MrsWhitneyAmanda · June 2010

I had a seating chart. I've been to weddings with charts and without and as a guest I've always preferred a seating chart. I always feel like I end up sitting alone or just with my date at open seating, especially when I don't really know anybody but the bride and groom, because people start moving chairs to other tables or sit in odd placements so there's no room for a couple to sit together, only a single chair here and there. Plus, it's a courtesy to your guests, IMO, to take the time to seat them with people that they either know or who you think they would get along well with

Edit: And now that I've read everybody else's responses I see that I agree with the majority of the other ladies

therockisblinding05 · June 2010

The one wedding I went to without a seating chart was a nightmare. We got split w/ the people we wanted to sit with and some poor lady w/ 2 kids practically begged to sit at our table because she couldn't find anywhere to sit. It's a serious must.

stardust21587 · June 2010

Hahaha. Wow. I didn't realize that it could turn into such a disaster! We will DEFINITELY be seating people then. haha Thanks so much ladies!!

AileeneG · June 2010

Personally, I hate them. I don't like being told where I have to sit, it's like being forced to talk to people and it often just turns into a bunch of (sometimes awkward) small talk.
It's possible that new friendships can be created, but you just don't know.

I've also been to weddings that I didn't know many people and everyone at my table left to go talk to their friends that were seated at other tables and I was left there the whole night feeling awkward and ending up having to go look for someone to introduce myself to.

I've also been to weddings that I've been seated with someone that I was not on great terms with. I've seen people leave receptions because they can't stand who they're seated with.

mlharbis · June 2010

I like escort cards. Assign a table, not an exact seat.

andee1353 · June 2010

I like them too. Eliminates confusion and disappointment.

dilemma412 · July 2010

I recently went to an outdoor wedding that had open seating. It was terrible! I say at least assign a table.

Escort Cards, love it or leave it?

Re: Escort Cards, love it or leave it?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards