HELP! Has anyone attended or had a wedding that had open seating (everyone sits wherever they want) at the reception? How did it work? Any tips or suggestions?
My FH and I are having a cocktail style reception which originally we agreed to have open seating to go along with the more informal style. I am now having reservations about it. I need some concrete input from people who have experienced this seating style. Thanks for your help!
Chrissywish
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I went to a wedding with open seating (they had a buffet not a sit down) and it was a nightmare. No one knew where to sit, everyone was wandering around looking for tables to fit everyone they wanted to sit with. We later found out we were supposed to sit at the reserved tables, but were never told so we didn't. Then everyone sits a seat apart from each other, b/c it's weird squishing in next to someone you don't know. The whole thing was just awkward. Once everyone was in and found seats it was fine, but going in was weird and hectic.
jerrys girl
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
my friends had that type of wedding. they had varying size tables. it was okay. since fh was in the bridal party and i was hanging with them, by the time i got too a table, i was not thrilled with who i was sitting with. it was different and cool. very loungy type of reception. they wanted it on the casual laid back side and that is how it was.
Boston&NY2006
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I've been tp functions (not weddings) where there's open seating and it's always a total nightmare. (IT's also considered to be a big etiquette 'no-no').
It basically just makes for awkward situations for your guests and could potentially make people very uncomfortable (think: 90 year old Aunt Ethel winds up having to sit with your DH's beer chugging frat brothers because there are no other seats, or a family or couple can't find seats together. )
Even though some brides feel rude telling people where to sit, it's actually (IMO) even worse not to...Just my two cents...
citycrab705
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
i think it depends on the size of your wedding my sister had this but there were only 60 people at her wedding and it was fine, there were no problems, but with a large wedding i can see it being a problem
I've been to functions (not weddings) with open seating. I always feel awkward..looking for people, saving seats for others, etc. I think that people tend to be more polite (ie introduce themselves) when assigned to a table.
LandsEnd06
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I went to a wedding with open seating an a bunch of different stations of food. Kind of like a big cocktail hour for the reception and it was amazing. We went in and got a bunch of tables together and hung out and ate great food. Don't worry about it. Your guest will be fine.
NY031978
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
i def am against open seating..i always feel like that loser in elem. school...cant find a seat and then you have to ask if anyone sitting here?! When they say yes you gotta move on to the next table! i agree have them sit where they are assigned and let them introduce themselves if they dont everyone at the table!
snydl40
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I agree-open seating is not the greatest for a wedding. Either everyone can't fit together or you get stuck next to someone you don't want to be stuck next to.
waterspout4
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I had to do open seating for a wedding one time. Nightmare!!!!! We were all lost. Then about 15 of us crammed around 1 table because we knew each other and realized there was this poor older couple sitting alone because we took all the chairs from their table. And since we did that, it was a nightmare for the wait staff to try to negotiate around us. Of course, we didn't budge.
MillerFord742008
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Open seating is a nightmare! I actually heard of ppl fighting over seats!
HearzBellz
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
Open seating is a nightmare. Any time I have been to any sort of party with open seating it leads to people over crowing at one table & empty tables elsewhere. I have also seen people try to steal each other's seats as they are at the bar or something like that.
dianadrw
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I went to a wedding once that had open seating. I was in the wedding and was sitting at the bridal dais and my poor date had to futz around to find a seat. I really would not recommend open seating. I know when I go to a function, I definitely prefer being assigned a seat.
ali120206
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
The only good experience I have had with open seating happened when there were a few more tables than people invited.
When there were just enough (or in one case, two few seats), it was a disaster. My FH and I at my cousin's wedding had to move a place setting from another table to sit with people we knew (mind you, 90% of the guests were related to me).
CLMon7906
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Re: Help with open v. formal seating
I've been to 1 wedding that did this....and yes, people sit apart...and you feel weird when strangers sit with you/near you. We actually (a group of us) sought out this table in another room off in a corner....but it didn't stay ours for long, soon others joined us. If you can swing it, I'd do the formal seating just to save guests the awkward moments...because to be honest, that's what I took away from that wedding...awkward moments.
