guest seating assignments?

Hi Ready2006 I am having a Buffet-style reception as well. I'm undecided as to whether I will have seating arrangements or not. I was told by a friend that having seating arrangements eliminate people who have not RSVP'd from sitting where they want. Your guest who took the time to RSVP should receive priority. I think that is a good point. Tables for my family have been reserved -- however, I'm still up in the air when it comes to my guests.

If I were a guest, I'd prefer to sit where (and with who) I want. Not be assigned. I'm having reserved tables at my reception (for parents, siblings, grandparents, etc) but everyone else can sit where they please. When you do a seating chart for all guests, you have to consider several things...more headache.

I will be having a seating chart. However, for my parents anniversary party, I was sooo pooped that I said the hell with a seating chart. lol

That is exactly why I haven't decided on a seating chart. I just don't want the headache! -- LOL!!

I will be having a seating chart just so I can keep up with the people who rsvp'd. It wouldn't be fair for those who didn't rsvp or get an invitation to sit where they want. It's a headache but trying to ask people to get up would be a bigger mess! We're not feeding those who didn't get invited and if they were invited but didn't send the rsvp back they will have to wait until rsvp guests have been seated 1st.

I am having a seating assignment...1) for the aforementioned reasons and 2)Beacause some of my guests only know me and will need to be sat by someone they have similarities with. I know it is a bit much. But I want a comfortable setting. I want everyone to have fun and be relaxed. I am willing to work a little to TRY TO make sure everybody has a good ole time!

I plan on doing seating arraignments although I am deeply dreading it.

I strongly suggest seating assignment.

[quote="PureBliss"]It's a headache but trying to ask people to get up would be a bigger mess! [/quote]

OMG PB&J I didn't even look at it this way. Girl you just helped me to make up my mind! A seating chart is in order.

Glad I could help Rhony! I know that it is a lot of work but like you said it's definitely in order. My husband wants to mix the guest up so that they will have to meet and great with people that they don't know. He also wants our parents to sit together instead of having both sets sit at separate tables. Part of me says it's a great idea but then I don't want people feeling uncomfortable and not mingle & chit chat because they don't know one another. What are some of you ladies doing as far as seating charts?

I will be having people that know each other and that are the closest sit together. I will not put both sides together. FMIL will be sitting on the side with her folks. lol

I totally understand Askalot! I really would prefer to allow people to sit with the people that they are comfortable with but I guess we will have to compromise.

I was just discussing this with my mother,and online trying to find seating plans that have more than 12 tables.I am planning on using seating plans,but I need one for 21 tables and table numbers that go up to 21.Help ladies.

Ordered mine off of ebay and they were personalized and will fall leaves(my reception theme)

BOTH WAYS HAVE THEIR PROS AND CONS. I DID A SEATING ARRANGEMENT 1ST TIME AROUND. HUGE HEADACHE AND YOU KNOW WHAT? EVERYONE STILL SAT WHERE THEY WANTED AFTER THE GRAND ENTRANCE WAS OVER. SO IT WAS ALL IN VAIN! THIS TIME I AM DOING 2 MAIN FAMILY TABLES AND SINCE IT WILL BE BUFFET, PEOPLE CAN SIT WHERE THEY WANT. THEY DO ANYWAY AND IT SAVES ME THE HEADACHE

I see where that can be a headace. I have along way before doing seatina arrangements, however I am already dreeding it.

Since I just recently made up my mind to do a seating chart (big ups to PB&J), I will be putting people together who know each other. Also my family will sit tother at one table and FHs family will sit together at another.

Great!

[quote="TAJMOM"]BOTH WAYS HAVE THEIR PROS AND CONS. I DID A SEATING ARRANGEMENT 1ST TIME AROUND. HUGE HEADACHE AND YOU KNOW WHAT? EVERYONE STILL SAT WHERE THEY WANTED AFTER THE GRAND ENTRANCE WAS OVER. SO IT WAS ALL IN VAIN! THIS TIME I AM DOING 2 MAIN FAMILY TABLES AND SINCE IT WILL BE BUFFET, PEOPLE CAN SIT WHERE THEY WANT. THEY DO ANYWAY AND IT SAVES ME THE HEADACHE
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I'm sure the same would happen at my reception...so I figure 'why bother'.

To each her own! It's your day, do it your way!

jUST DEPENDS ON THE PEOPLE YOU INVITE.ARE THEY CORDIAL?

Well I am on my way to arranging my seating.I bought my table numbers 2 days ago .Just need to get the actual plan,will probably be DIY.

Sounds good to me NikkiG!

Ok Ladies, I have all the rsvp cards back that I can stand and have a made a list of the names. Now what do I do as far as seating chart/ table assignments. I have some reserved table cards for family and about 30 table numbers. What's the best way to do it? I want to have a list for the hostess with the names and what table the guest will be sitting. Is there a template or something I can follow or will I have to make a spread sheet? As you all can see, I am so exhausted and I have exactly 30 days to get this together.

I will just make a spread sheet. Sketch out how the room is and how the tables will be set up and sit your family and friends according to how the room is set up. Your family goes first and then branch out to your closest friends. If you are just going to reserve a certain number of tables and do seating arrangements for those table and let everyone else sit where they want that is fine, and less headache.

i'm so far from my wedding date but i must say that the seating chart is the one thing i have done already. I decided to seat people based first on familial ties, then on age and then interests so even if they don't know each other, they'll have something to talk about. Also my FH is from Zimbabwe so most of his guests won't anyone else and i don't want them to feel left out. I also have a table of honor for "Mothers of the Bride" since my mother passed away last year and i'm only 25. I want honor the 4 or 5 women who have maintained my sanity. What is sensible maximum capacity for each table? Thoughts?

Well ladies, since my wedding only consists of about 13 people, we are not having placement cards, to open up a more intimate setting as it is a sitdown meal, with everyone sitting at either a "U" shaped or half circle table setting, with Tom and my self in the middle, everyone else around the outer edge of the table.

That's nice. I am going to have a sit down dinner, and am planing on doing seating arrangements for my quest.

We have already made out our seating chart. We are making gold "reserved " signs for special guests, but most will be fam so it does not have to be as structured as some receptions.

[quote="PureBliss"]Ok Ladies, I have all the rsvp cards back that I can stand and have a made a list of the names. Now what do I do as far as seating chart/ table assignments. I have some reserved table cards for family and about 30 table numbers. What's the best way to do it? I want to have a list for the hostess with the names and what table the guest will be sitting. Is there a template or something I can follow or will I have to make a spread sheet? As you all can see, I am so exhausted and I have exactly 30 days to get this together.
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PB&J, how did you make out?

Hi ladies, this might be late but I seen A silver forlk that was a place card holder. I thought that was so cute. I might get it for my wedding. I don't remember it be expensive. I seen it online but I'm not exactly sure where. I hope this helps.

Theknot.com has an easy to use 'table seating' template. The folk idea is cute! If I use the table seating chart, the cards will be on a canvas, and simply slide your name from under the ribbon.

I will definitely be doing seating assignments (ugh!) so that RSVPers get seated first and family and friends from similiar circles (i.e. my school friends and my work friends, his buddies from home) can sit together. We do want everyone to be comfortable and chatty at the tables and not just staring at each other. We are also coming up with some themed tables and games to get the guests working together and having fun!

The couple that I hired to dj my party will be doing the games. The dj comes with a mc and crowd motivator. I plan on doing seating arrangements as well. I saw two place card holders that I really liked. But I think I am going to get the one with the bells on them.