This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

And guests just sit wherever they want - it it mass chaos, or does it manage to work? There is something about 'assigned seats' that I have never liked...

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

Yes, and I loved it, so I'm doing it at my wedding too!

At De Seversky it's called a Mansion style wedding. It's basically more of a big party where different rooms have different food stations and guests can walk around and mingle and eat when they want.

I am also going to 3 other weddings next year, all of which are formal sit-down assigned seats and I wanted to do something a little different.

As long as guests know what to expect and what's going on, it can be really nice.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

FH and I went to one wedding of one of his college friends.....it was under a tent decorated with lights and lanterns....everyone just sat where they wanted, it was so relaxed and so much fun

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

Yeps. I went to one and it seemed to work out ok. The only con as a guest was when there were several couples wanting to sit together but couldn't find a table with enough open seats, or several tables where there were empty chairs.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

I have been to two weddings like this- and I hate it... I feel you should take the time to pick a place for your guests to sit-- where they know they will be seated with people they know and will get along with-- then there is leaving your bag, camera, etc. on the table-- easier when amongst friends..

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

yes at Raphaels and it was fine! we were able to sit in the cocktail/dancefloor room or the main room and it was cool. i think assigining seats s**** too, but i'm being told i really should

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

I was at a wedding that did that - it was also buffet style, so it went along with the whole different type of atmosphere - but I didn't like it. I felt like you were searching for somewhere to sit and didn't feel like you really had a place for your stuff.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

yes and I hated it. I felt like I didn't know where to sit. There were tables that were not full and it just didn't work well.

(at this wedding they had extra tables so that I guess it would work a little better, if you had just the exact amount of chairs it would be really difficult to have people fill all the seats.)

Also what about that random guest(s) who don't know anyone. It would be awkward for them to find a table.
JMHO

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

Yup! At the Garden City Hotel. The whole wedding was laid back--it was also buffet style. It worked out fine,I heard of only one table wherethere was a real seating issue.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

Yes and it was complete chaos. I went to two of them like that and they were both chaos.. Seriously..

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

My FBIL did this at his wedding but that's how many Indian people do it- with a buffet too. I didn't like it because by the time I realized that was the setup I couldn't find a good table where I could sit with my mom and 2 friends. Only the family had set tables but then guests you want closer may get pushed to the back. Some tables were over crowded because people didn't want to split up.

If you have a small wedding it may work- also I definately agree that you need more tables/seats than guest list size which may add to your cost (CP, etc) so you don't split up families.

Personally, unless it's 50 people who know each other pretty well I don't like it. It was chaos and most at my FBIL wedding do this type of seating all of the time!!

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

thanks for all the replies - looks like the consensus is that it is a bad idea

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

we are doing sorta a cocktail style wedding so people can eat when they are hungry and not when food is served.. anyway we did assigned seating cause i wanted guest to have THEIR spot! FMIL said she went to one that did that, she didnt like it cause of that reason.. didnt have a spot that was HER's for her stuff, etc...

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

Yes and I thought it was a little awkward.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

I have never been to a wedding like this and I think that I would think it a little weird if I did go to a wedding where there was no seating arrangement. JMO

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

I went to two weddings where there was no seating chart. At one we were so overcrowded at the table that we ended up pulling a nearby table next to us. Not sure if the hall cared, but we didn't. At the other the photographer sat with us because there was an extra chair. It was a bit weird, but I didn't hate the weddings because of it. We were all fed. It's just not my style.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

I've never been to one like that, but I don't think I would like it. Maybe it woud be appropriate for a buffet or less formal wedding, but I still think it feels awkward, as someone said, if you have people you want to sit with and then you cant find a stop it can be awkward. i think taking the time to plan a considerate seating arrangement minimizes stress on all involved

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

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Posted by nicksgray

FH and I went to one wedding of one of his college friends.....it was under a tent decorated with lights and lanterns....everyone just sat where they wanted, it was so relaxed and so much fun

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That's how we're having our wedding reception. In a garden marquee with lighted candles and global lanterns. We're not doing specific seating, having tables of 6, 8 and 10's. The mean reason for this is because we're getting married in the Carribbean and also our number is small. Can't wait to party!!!!

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

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Posted by mrswask

I was at a wedding that did that - it was also buffet style, so it went along with the whole different type of atmosphere - but I didn't like it. I felt like you were searching for somewhere to sit and didn't feel like you really had a place for your stuff.

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I totally agree.

Re: This is totally random, but has anyone been to a wedding where there is no seating chart / seating arrangements?

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Posted by Preshy7

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Posted by mrswask

I was at a wedding that did that - it was also buffet style, so it went along with the whole different type of atmosphere - but I didn't like it. I felt like you were searching for somewhere to sit and didn't feel like you really had a place for your stuff.

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I totally agree.

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I agree also