Why You Need a Seating Chart
Thursday May 29, 2008
Many brides and grooms who are looking for a casual, relaxed wedding think that they can forgo having a seating chart. They envision a wedding where friends and family will easily mingle, and at dinner time, everyone will happily sit with their new friends. What's wrong with this idea? Simply put, it doesn't work that easily. You'll end up with tables of eight with only seven people sitting at them, and couples wandering the room wondering where on earth they are supposed to sit. Meanwhile, shy singles will be forced to approach tables of strangers before they can sit down, which can only be an unpleasant reminder of high school cafeterias. And the mingling you'd been hoping for probably won't happen anyway.
So what's a better alternative? Use large tables of 10 or 12, and assign tables but not seats. That way, you'll be able to create tables which combine like-minded friends, and let them find where at the table they fit comfortably. It's more relaxed than assigning every seat, and you won't have to worry about whether Aunt Ada would rather sit next to Cousin Larry or Cousin Bob.
So what's a better alternative? Use large tables of 10 or 12, and assign tables but not seats. That way, you'll be able to create tables which combine like-minded friends, and let them find where at the table they fit comfortably. It's more relaxed than assigning every seat, and you won't have to worry about whether Aunt Ada would rather sit next to Cousin Larry or Cousin Bob.
Comments
I have tried to get an answer to this question;I don’t want a best man, however, my wife to be has 2 sisters in the wedding. 2 sons, and us. won’t it look like I have best man with an even number of people in the wedding? I use the net various times during the day and may not be on when you answer.
My friends did just have a wedding with no assigned tables. They wanted people to mingle, and they definitely did! A lot of people were standing and talking – others picked seats. But there was also no full sit-down dinner. There was finger food being served on trays that were constantly coming around. There were also little stations of food, like make-your-own stir fry. For them, having no seating assignments worked out just as they had hoped.
your column has absolutely kept me sane planning my upcoming wedding, but i have to disagree on this one.
my fiance and i went to two weddings last summer, one with assigned tables and one with no assignments. the one without assignments was much more fun — it was buffet style, and i think they just made sure to have big enough tables that no one would be uncomfortable joining one.
at the “late twenties, early thirties” table we were assigned to at the other wedding, it was so uncomfortable trying to get to know the stuck-up or shy single gals my fiance and i were stuck with that everyone at the table spent as little time there as possible. rarely have i enjoyed myself so little in the presence of free alcohol. including work functions!
Unless the wedding and dinner is super formal, I agree- I’d prefer seating to be open. People will naturally sort out and find their most comfortable spots.