should I have assigned seating/tables at my wedding?

Question

My mom doesnt think I should because it prevents the guests from mingling.

I think we should so that all of our guests have a seat with their respective friends and family members.

what do yo think? to assign or not to assign...that is the question.


**Side note: sorry if I posted this multiple times, it doesnt seem to be posting...

Answer 1

Assigned tables Yes
Assigned Seating no

Answer 2

Assigning tables ... yes! Assigning seats ... no!

Assigning tables is a great idea because it allows you to put both sides of the family on their respective sides ...

Just think of it this way ... what if you go through all the trouble of giving everyone assigned seats?? Lets just say that you make cards for each person at each place setting ... then people start switching tables and moving around within tables. Then all of that work was for nothing, in the end ... you could have spent that time, and money, on more flowers or an open bar.

Assigning seats just isn't worth it in the end.

Answer 3

Ohmy yes you have to assign seating. Not actual seats, but you want to make sure you assign people to tables or else all hell might break loose. I look at it this way, if you have a table of 10 and a family of 5 sits down along with 2 couples that leaves 1 seat empty, who is going to sit there? And in reverse if a family of 5 arrives late and at each table there are only 1-2 seats empty that means that family will have to split up. Avoid the chaos on your day and unhappy people (because let me tell you, I have 2 kids, if I had to be separated from them during a dinner I would be plenty mad) and sit down and make out a seating chart. BUT, dont let anyone else in on it, the more people you involve the more disagreements you will have, with who cant sit with who.

Your time doing this is totally worth your guests not having the anxiety of finding a place to sit.

Answer 4

i think you should definitely have assigned seating because the guests would be chickens without heads without it. meaning they will be running around everywhere not knowing where to sit for a very long duration. With assigned seating everyone will know where they belong and not be nervous about where to sit. There is a reason why 90% of weddings have assigned seating. There are plenty of other ways to make guests mingle without getting rid of assigned seating. Maybe you can have a treat buffet of small hor'sdourves or the ever popular candy bar, during the reception to encourage getting out of their seats during the reception. But mingling is mostly reserved for the cocktail hour, anyways, right?

Answer 5

Yeah, i think it's easier to have assigned seating. I've been a guest at both kinds, and the last one that didn't have assigned seating didn't have any tables left with enough empty seats to accomodate those i came to the wedding with. Other times, people would take chairs from one table to force more people at another table. When there have been assigned seating, most brides/grooms attempt to seat people together who will get along, or are friends/part of the same family. I would agree that there is not a lot of mingling going on before the meal, but once the dancing is started, the guests get up and wander around. Good luck and enjoy your day. Oh and remember it is YOUR day, if you want to do assigned seating, then do it!!!

Answer 6

assign seats that way you will not have a family broken in two different tables because your table is 10 an a family of 3,4 2 don't sit an leaving one empty seat or two seats at a table type thing let people sit with people they know or people that they haven't seen in some time like all your friends from work together an old high school friends your cousins together aunts an uncles together an family friends with other family friends they can mingle after dinner an during dancing and that way if you are having a sit down dinner an have meal options with your RSVP put on chicken or pork an then with the seating chart hand that over to who is catering an your meals will be done in a timely Manor easy on everyone

Answer 7

I see this question on here all the time (not from you, just in general). Every wedding I have been to, you have a table assigned to sit at. If this is what you mean, go for it.

I think if I walked into a reception and there wasn't assigned seating, I would be lost.

You are not tying your guests to a chair, they can still mingle. You are just assuring they all have a place to put their stuff down and people they feel comfortable with around them.

Answer 8

No just let them sit where they want to! It will be much easier, less expensive & less stressful. Plus not alot of people will actually sit in their assigned seats. They will want to get up & mingle. The only reason you should need assigned seating is if you are having waiters bring out your dinner & they need to know where every one is sitting that way they know what they are having. But even after that you shouldnt make them sit in a certain seat! Assigned seats are for little little kids. Just let your guests sit where ever & every body will be more happy & less stressed! I hope this helps! Good Luck :)

Answer 9

Depends on how many guests you have... If it's under 50 and everyone is more or less acquainted, then no. But if it's over 50, I would say yes. It just makes things more organized and keeps down the confusion of an already hectic wedding day. Guests will appreciate it as well, instead of hunting for a seat or being too shy to set with others they may not know that well.

Congrats on the wedding! Good luck and best wishes!

Answer 10

I want to assign seats myself. I don't think it will stop people from mingling, but I do think it will prevent someone who came alone or say, someone in your wedding party bought a boyfriend or girlfriend that doesn't know anyone, you don't want that person to feel awkward sitting there alone because their date is sitting at the wedding party's table. So in that case what you'd do is enlist a friend or cousin, someone out going, to sit the person with. Explain to the friend/cousin the situation and then make that his/her responsibility to incorporate the lone guest to make him/her more comfortable. However, my fiance also doesn't want assigned seating. I know it's his wedding too, but In the end, I'll have my way! In your case, it's your wedding, do what you want.