what do you guys think??

Question

do you guys like going to weddings with assigned seating or seat your own?

also, how many of you guys actually take home the give aways?

Answer 1

I like the assigned seating.
Leave the dust-suckers.

Answer 2

I am a staunch believer in assigned tables, not actual seats, but assigning tables gets an A+ in my book. When you dont assign tables you run the risk of people not being able to sit together, say a family of 5 arrives late and there are only 1 and 2 seats left at tables, they would have to split up, making it a very stressful situation on the parents who have to separate from their kids, just not a good situation to put people in.

I take the giveaways if they are edible, if they arent it would depend on if I would use it. Say a bottle stopper, I would use, but I would leave a packet of seeds.

Answer 3

I hate assigned seating. The bride stresses so much to figure out who will get along and then a couple people last minute don't even show. Typically it ends up with one table that has all the empty chairs. Meanwhile 3 overweight people are side by side, squished wanting to move. I either end up at the social table, where the people get up and wander around talking to friends (which means i'm by myself) or they are impossible to converse with and I end up feeling like I'm by myself.

I prefer to mingle and talk to the friends and family I haven't seen in a long time.

At my wedding, I assigned seating at 3 reserved tables. I had a reserved table for the bridal party. That had enough seats for their guests (as a couple were in serious relationships and I didnt want my future IL to be left out) as well. Then I had a reserved table for his close family (one has 4 kids and that took up most of the whole table). The third table for the grandparents and the people they wanted to be with. My grandparents got to sit with their friends (I put a reserved sign--told my grandparents that table was for them and they called over whoever they wished to sit with).

That worked out best--and I had no stress at all.

As for the giveaways--I look over them first. If it looks nice, I'll take it. If not, I leave it. Sometimes brides do something that fits the theme but is not something I want in my house--like a sandbucket with some saltwater taffy and starfish in it. Sometimes they do a matchbook which I take (cause you can always use more matches)

I had candles at my wedding. Small candles in a glass jar--multiple colors and scents so that people could pick whichever color went best with their decor. I put a picture of my husband and I, and the date, on the lid. That was very popular--nearly everyone took them home. Food is popular, but when brides do something that is monogrammed with your wedding date you have to realize that many of the guests don't care to have a picture frame with your wedding date on it.

Answer 4

Assuming you're a guy, I make the suggestion that you leave the decision-making regarding seating to the bride (and everyone that's knee-deep in the planning with her). Most ladies have already thought long and hard about just what kind of wedding they want to have, and trying to take on aspects like this on your own can lead to all *sorts* of issues.

As for your actual question, keep in mind that both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Primarily, with assigned seating you avoid the hassles that come from having multiple people vying to sit with the same person/people, and you also have the opportunity to bring various people together to get to know each other (instead of the bride's group and the groom's group sticking with each other). The "do-it-yourself" method, though, avoids the hassle of trying to figure out who sits with whom...making the bride's and groom's planning much simpler.

So I say again: let the bride decide how she wants it.

Answer 5

For the reception, I like assigned seating.

I've been to some wedding receptions that didn't have assigned seating and people were unsure where to sit and were trying to guess what table the families might want to sit in, etc.

Answer 6

Hm....I like assigned seating, for the most part. For your own wedding, you want specific people sitting close to you...like your parents, aunts, and uncles. Don't forget cousins. :) However, I recently went to a wedding and was put at a table with a bunch of couples (my husband stayed home so I was by myself) it was pretty awful - but at least there was an open bar. lol. At my wedding, we put signs up that said "reserved for family of the groom" or "reserved for family of the bride". That way all of those stupid church people your mother in law invites don't get to sit too close to you.

I take the favors home if they're not too cheesy and they're in a state where I don't have to fit something in my suitcase. My family has a great tradition where you put a cut out heart (or whatever) under one plate, and the person who gets that gets to take home the centerpiece.

Answer 7

the advantage to assigned seating is that everyone will have a place to sit and hopefully whoever is doing the seating chart will knnow whom to place with whom. Plus if you are with someone you dont know then you get to meet new people!

I'm having such a small informal wedding BUT my parents are divorced and I want to make sure my mom gets to sit with people shes confortable with (i.e. her cousin and one of my old teachers I am still very close with). Therefore I am having assigned tables. It will also makes sure all the spouses of the wedding party have a place together too.

Answer 8

If it's a small informal wedding then sure I prefer to seat myself at the ceremony & reception. But if it's a formal affair and have lots of guests the PLEASE tell me where to go for at least the reception! I've been to a large (expensive) wedding and they had no seating charts or place cards. Guests felt as if they were on the line at the Sizzler waiting to find a seat. As far as favors they are my favorite as long as they are ediable or something unique and useful. No scrolls with sayings etc.

Answer 9

Most people are assigned to a table of 8-10 and you can sit where you like. I am OK with it provided that there are some good looking women at the same table. Have you ever sat at your table with couples and all they talk about is their kids as if they have no other life? I, as a rule do not take home any of the give aways.

Answer 10

I think assigned seating can cut the hassel for the newleyweds, so in my mind I am fine with it...however I enjoy when thought goes into the seating and I am assigned a seat next to someone whom I would have chosen to sit next to anyway.
:)
I always love the give-aways...especially when it is mints or photos of the bride and groom, that I can keep on my refrigerator.
;)

Answer 11

Assigned seating is the most appropriate.