Wedding Opinion - Assigned seating?

For my wedding, we went without assigned seating. It was a very casual environment, only about seventy people, and the reception took place outside. Everyone dragged chairs around to fit where they wanted to. I loved it.

We had assigned tables, but not seats. As a guest I prefer having a homebase - knowing I have a place to sit, but I like the option of being able to sit where I want at the table. As a bride, it was easy to assign the tables and our guests seemed to appreciate it.

Assigned tables not seats

Originally Posted by SolarityBengals

For those that have attended weddings with assigned seating or not, which do you prefer? My fiance and I differ on the way we should do this.

What do you think?

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We only had assigned tables by the stage for the close family members ....since we had sooo many people (1000) at our wedding we didn't assign tables for the rest of the guests.

Thanks guys! You all pretty much reconfirmed what I thought. I think it would be so awkward for a couple that dosen't know anyone (or a single for that matter) to have to find a seat or if a group is just large enough that only one couple spills to another table (in this case split the table so they all know someone with them).

So we will probably have nameplaces for family but will just assign tables for everyone else. Chris didn't like it at first but I think hes ok with it now.

So do you usually have the ushers just tell people where the table is, or how do people find out what their table number is? I've never been to a wedding quite like that. I've only been to no assigned seats or assigned seats, not table assignments.

My biggest pet peeve with weddings is anything that appears dissorganized and the guests have no idea what is going on. The smoother the better.

I agree with everyone else... we had assigned tables for 2 reasons: to keep my in laws away from my family, and to put young friends with other young friends who don't know anyone else.

This worked well because my dad (who was a deacon in our church) didn't have to hear any of the disgusting comments my mo-in-law would be making. And a girlfriend that I work with could sit with friends of ours who were about the same age, that way she wouldn't feel so uncomfortable. I also made sure I went and introduced them after cocktail hour to make it a little easier...

PS...I can't believe the dancing never takes off?! At out wedding they had to PRY us off the dance floor...everyone was dancing! It was a blast! Too short though, it's over in I swear, 5 minutes! Enjoy your day!!!

I just went to a wedding Friday night. The family tables had little picture frames on the end with their family name done in calligraphy. The other tables were open for anyone to sit at.

Do you have your favors all done? A lot of times people incorporate the seating into the favor. for example - A small picture from with their table assignment on it. You can also buy cards at any party supply store or stationary store that you set up near the guest book. At my good friends wedding, one of the favors were fall leaf ornaments. I made two decorative grapevine "trees" with lights and we hung the cards on the "trees" off of the ornament.

I did go to one wedding where you had to chase down a certain person to find out what table you were at. I didn't like that.

I was thinking about giving the tables a name and then sometime during the event to see if anyone got the meaning of the names. They would be different instrument names, as where we are honeymooning has different instrument names for all the buildings. Nobody would probably get it but thought it would be fun. Of course I might be making things more complicated, and Chris does not like complicated!

My mom did all the favors. So we will probably just get some stationary and do the family seating this way with little placecards.

I really do hope dancing takes off! Music has been a difficult subject.

Weddings I've been to with assigned tables had one table set up as you entered the reception with placecards on it with guests names (in alphabetical order) and table numbers. So the guests just look for the card with their name on it and that gives them their table number (or table name, in your case).

I think the assigned tables are the easiest and most organized way to go, IMO.

I had assigned sitting at my wedding, everyone was sitting with the people that they knew and were 'comfortable with', but before eatting and after eatting-everyone mingled. Good luck with whatever you decide.

We're having assigned seating. They just have to sit there while they eat then they can do whatever they want. I don't know everyone who's coming to my wedding because of my parents inviting everyone they can think of. Assigned seats will make talking to each table much easier.

We didn't have assigned seating at our wedding. IMO, I think it's better for people to sit where they please. It also makes your job harder and puts stress on your guests that don't really want to sit next to Aunt Sue or uncle Bob. It's not a big deal--trust me--I had about 500 people at my wedding.

Not assigned at the Chirch, but an assigned dinner is fine it makes it tasteful and formal if each person has a placecard

Makes sense to assign tables...then you don't have the single or recently divorced around ALL the couples. Put the singles together so they can meet and brag how they met at your wedding

We are hesitating between assigned and not. Every wedding I've ever been to has had assigned seating.

You could do a table plan (just print out on A3 paper perhaps tied in with your theme, then place it on a kind of easel just as you go into the function room where you'll have the meal) which provides a table number / name and lists the guests seated there. Then guests just have to find the right table!

If you have assigned seating at the table itself you could use placecards of some kind with people's names on. We're thinking about collecting pebbles from the beach and hand-painting peoples' names on each one to use as a placecard - plus they can take it home as a souvenir... it can be really nice if it's well done by someone with a steady hand