Are place settings at a wedding neccesary?

Question

I mean, what is the point of them anyways? My fiance and I can't figure out why we should have to seat everyone where we want them. Wouldn't people be happier if they got to choose who they sit by? As long as its obvious which table is the bridal party table do you think that I should skip on the time, stress, and expense?

Answer 1

Depends on how formal you are going with your wedding. Our wedding was formal and we did have assigned seating. It worked out in the end and they are only going to be seated for the meal/speeches etc so not that long.

Good luck it goes way to fast.

Answer 2

Not at all! I will not be having any at my wedding. People like to be able to choose where they would like to sit. No one should feel forced to meet new people or sit where YOU decide.

I have set up a design in which our bridal party will be able to sit with their dates (my fiance and I will have our own "head table").

There is nothing worse than being a groomsman's date and having to sit with complete strangers at the back of the room.

Some people like the idea of place settings, but there is no need to have them, unless you plan to place special items or notes at certain people's spots.

You can have reserved tables for family near the front. Also, don't worry about guests that hate each other. They will make sure to find seats far away from each other on their own.

Answer 3

I am not choosing where everyone sits at my reception, it would just be too much work, take up too much time and It would be stressfull and maybe certain people don't want sit by other certain people. Plus, what if some don't show up? Or what if unexpected people show up and you don't have a seat planned for them? The only place I am having place settings at is my bridal table, other than that, people can decide where they would like to sit. Honey it would be too stressful to sit down and try to figure it out especially if you have a lot of people you are expecting to come (I am expecting 250 and I couldn't sit down and plan that-it's too hard) Oh by the way CONGRATS!!!

Answer 4

Consider whether there will be people who don't get along at your wedding. You would want to seat them far apart so that they don't clash during the wedding. Also, if you have some people who don't know a lot of other people who will be there you should do a setting so that they have people to sit with that you think they will get along with rather than them just finding an open seat where others will exclude them from the conversation. Also, do you want certain family sitting at a table close to you? If you don't do setting someone else could sit there first. All of these things are reasons why you would want to take the time to do settings.

Answer 5

Seating arrangements are only really necessary when you're serving a formal sit down dinner. That way, everyone is in the right place instead of moving around from table to table so the people serving the meal don't get too confused. If you're doing something more casual like a buffet or hors d'heurves, don't worry about it. People will be mingling while they serve themselves anyway. The extra expense of place cards and place card holders can get pricey if you haven't checked them out yet, so if you don't need them, and don't want them, skip it and save yourself a lot of money.

Answer 6

A nice alternative to assigning specific seats for your guests is just assigning them to a specific table. Once they arrive to the table, they can sit in any seat they choose. Assigning tables and/or seats is not only done to facilitate seating family and friends together but also to avoid potential disruptions from people who do not get along. Assigned seating is also done to help arrange seating for guests who may be attending the reception alone and do not really no anyone else there. By seating them with other peers, it can help that person feel more comfortable. Also it assures that everyone will not have difficulty in locating a seat (for example: a party of 4 may not be able to find a table with 4 empty seats available when guests seat themselves). Some venues also require seating arrangements for larger parties to facilitate serving when guests will be served different plated meals.

So of course you don't have to have assigned seating or even assigned tables if you do not want to, but I just wanted to offer you some reasons as to why it is done. If you do decide to assign tables (but let guests choose their own seats), you do not have to purchase table cards. Instead type up a list in alphabetical order by guests last name that indicates the table to which they have been assigned. Then distribute copies of the lists to your ushers or hostess so they can inform guests of their assigned table as they arrive for the reception.

Answer 7

I agree with you 100 percent. Most couples choose to have a seating arrangement in order to avoid chaos or having people that don't like each other sit together, and for many other reasons, anyway I think you have a great idea and yes, it will save you a lot of unnecessary stress, time and expense. So enjoy your day, I am sure your guests will be more comfortable being able to choose their own seats. Congratulations and Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

It seems to just be one of those things that etiquette books want you to do. I didn't at my wedding. Basically it is so that no one is left out sitting alone. At my wedding we did place settings for the bridal party table, and everyone else just sat wherever. At my sisters wedding, she did place settings for everyone. She sat me with her new hubby's favorite sister so that we would start getting to know each other. Either way is fine. If you don't want to go to the trouble and expense, don't. It's YOUR wedding. Do what you want:) Congrats & Good Luck!

Answer 9

I allowed my guests to seat themselves. We had the bridal table set up (so it was obvious) and we had 3 tables right in front of the bridal table for the parents and close family of ours.


Good Luck!

Answer 10

We will only be seating very close friends and family that arent part of the bridal party(grandmothers, motthers, sibling etc) Everyone else can sit where they want