Should I do assigned seating for an outside wedding reception

Question

it will be around 4 or 4:30 so we are serving dinner the whole wedding and reception is outside we will have shaded seating i was reading in a wedding mag that seating arrangements are a must not mater what kind of wedding it is, at my wedding the will be about three groups of people who know each other.

Answer 1

I think it depends how many people you're having. It helps to give some order. However if it's very formal, you might want assigned seating even if you only have 50 guests.

I'm having 90 guests to my outdoor wedding and we're not assigning seats. It's super casual though and it's a picnic type thing, so I want them to just be comfortable,

Answer 2

You don't have to do assigned seating, I didn't do this at my wedding in June.  It was much easier to let the people choose were they want to sit, and I didn't feel like assigning seating for 100 + people, that would have stressed me out big time.

Answer 3

I agree that seating is a must no matter what type of wedding you are having.  It takes the guess work out of it for the guests, there is no "saving seats", or losing them for that matter.  

Say you have a family of 4 who are a little late making if from the ceremony to the reception, only once they arrive there are only seating available for 2 or 3 of them at one table.. your going to split up a family?

Once the meal has been served people are going to mingle and move around as they wish but it is a definite must to start things out...IMO.

Answer 4

We are only having about 45 people at our wedding, but we are doing assigned tables because we don't want people wandering around.  I think it's a good idea, especially if people don't know each other and you have a limited area to put tables and guests in.  You don't have to assign seats, but tables are nice so people feel more comfortable.

Answer 5

I don't think you should add that to your list of worries. Especially if everyone knows eachother, it'll be fine! Good luck and happy wedding! :)

Answer 6

I think it depends on how "formal" your wedding is.  I mean if it is a "redneck" wedding who cares where they sit.  But I think more classier weddings stick with the seating chart to keep people with people they like so that the guest aren't peering around looking for the people they know.  Also so that if the people they know are already at a full table they aren't stuck with complete strangers.  Use your best judgment...I am sure anything you decide will work out just fine.

Answer 7

i think it should. all weddings are lik dat cuz then it will seem lik a regular party!! and not a wedding.

Answer 8

It sounds like a lovely formal Wedding in the gardens!

Etiquette will dictate that yes you should have assigned seating.  Whether an event is inside or outside does not make a difference as far as etiquette goes.  Since you spent months planning and paying for a dream Wedding, you should keep the formality by providing assigned seating.

That said, I have consulted many Weddings and have seen sophisticated people in tuxedos get into pushing fights arguing about who got to the perfect table first.  Also, many close family members get very offended if they moved too slowly and their table ends up at the back of the gathering.  Factoring Jewish traditions, you will need to keep key family members close to you for parts of the reception, so it makes even more sense if you have control over where everyone is sitting.

Trust me, most guests appreciate it too!

Z.

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Answer 9

As a guest, I hate assigned seating, especially if I don't know many people.  I usually hope to sit with people I am comfortable with, even if it is just an hour or two for dinner.

I was at a huge Italian wedding (350+ ppl) with assigned seating and the bride was not aware that two groups of family had recently had a disagreement.  Everyone arrived, found their tables, WAR broke out, bridal party trying to calm everyone down, they turned on them and literally 1/3 the guests including Matron of Honor and Best Man left!!  Craziest Sicilian wedding I ever went to!

Do have 'reserved' tables for special people such grandparents, godparents, elderly aunts, uncles, etc.