Advice needed: no seating chart

So FH and I are in agreement that while we'll have enough tables and chairs for everyone, we won't have a seating chart since its a cocktail style reception and the food will be out all night. We will have a table that says 'reserved' for the bridal party, and then two more reserved tables where his mom and my mom can each decide who will sit there.

Well my mom and his mom are pushing back hard on me now about this. They think it will be confusing but honestly we are only having 125 ppl and most will know a good amount of other people there. I feel like its such a hassle to do a seating chart and we don't really need it.

So am I being a bridezilla or is my mom right?

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

NO you are not being a bridezilla. I wanted the exact same thing and will be having 130 people and my mother is doing the EXACT thing your mother is. it makes me nuts!! we are doing the cocktail reception too and my mother demands a seating chart- so annoying!!!

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I didn't want to do a seating chart, but my mom was adamant about there being one lol.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

you definitely should do a chart just to make the seating go smoothly.. we thought the same thing for my sister's shower (70 people) and although they were grouped in a way that we thought finding seats would be easy, there 1 or two people at every table left out and the servers had to put another place setting out so they can sit together.. it was a mess honestly and would have been easier if we had done a seating chart

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I agree. I think a seating chart would be better.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I think seating charts are necessary only for the fact that I've been to a wedding where there was no chart and it was a nightmare. People didn't get to sit with people they knew and just were uncomfortable and bored all night. But you know your guests best so if you think they can make it work than don't do one.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

It's not as hard to make as it seems!

Re: Advice needed: no seating chart

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Posted by cets1290

you definitely should do a chart just to make the seating go smoothly.. we thought the same thing for my sister's shower (70 people) and although they were grouped in a way that we thought finding seats would be easy, there 1 or two people at every table left out and the servers had to put another place setting out so they can sit together.. it was a mess honestly and would have been easier if we had done a seating chart

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THIS!

Re: Advice needed: no seating chart

I agree - you should do a seating chart. I think regardless of the type of wedding that you have, most people expect there to be a seating chart.

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Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

Everyone dreads this part but it really isnt that bad IMO. I would definitely make a seating chart.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

You're not being a bridezilla at all but I think it would be easier to have a seating chart. You don't want people to be confused or uncomfortable because they can't sit with people they know.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

our bridal shower apparently had some tiffs that would have been resolved with a seating chart. not sure # people 40-50?

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I think these are all good points, but considering there won't be place settings (since everything is buffet style/cocktail style) I'm still not seeing the value I guess.

A little background, this idea started for me when I went to a friends wedding and was forced to sit with people I really didn't know instead of my friends because my boyfriend at the time couldn't come so I was put at a singles table. Since there is no 'formal' lets sit down and eat time at our wedding, I'm struggling with having to force people to sit in a certain spot when it's supposed to feel more like a cocktail party than a formal reception.

I'll have to give it some more thought.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

We even had a seating chart for my 60 person shower. It just makes things go smoother in my opinion. But, it's your wedding. Do what you want!

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I personally believe any formal event should have a seating chart.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

Do whatever you feel comfortable with but I have to say I was shocked what a big deal seating was at my engagement party. People seemed uncomfortable with having to figure it out on their own. It was buffet dinner at a restaurant for about about 70 people and everyone kept asking me where they should sit, and then asking to move stuff around so they could sit by people they knew, getting upset there were no more seats at table. It made things really stressful at the beginning of the party, which I totally didn't anticipate. You know your guests best and if you think it will work for you then great but I agree with the other girls that things might run more smoothly if you had a seating chart.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I love the idea of being able to skip the whole seating chart thing, but it would just be easier for everyone if they knew they had a seat.

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

It's a hassle to do a seating chart believe me I know. But at our engagement party we didn't have one and it caused such a headache. FHs poor aunt ended up sitting by herself and I had to kick people out of the 'reserved' table so I could sit. I would recommend assigned seating 100% after that lol

Advice needed: no seating chart - Long Island Weddings

I definitely don't think you're being a bridezilla but I do think it would be in your best interest to do one. I went to an engagement party of only 75 people and the lack of seating assignments caused complete chaos. Some tables had 14 people with chairs taken from other tables while other tables only had 5 or 6 people. I think it would save you a lot of stress to just tell people where they should sit. They're only going to be there for a short time but it also gives them a designated place to put there things and know they can't be in anyone else's way.