Assigned Seating for Your Wedding Reception: Pros and Cons

When planning the perfect wedding, one aspect that you may need more guidance on is whether to arrange assigned seating for wedding guests or allow guests to choose their seats for themselves. Creating a comfortable, fun, and engaging guest experience is essential to the success of your wedding day.

If you need to know more about this critical detail, these two seating arrangement options offer several pros and cons to consider. As you keep reading, weigh both options and remember that ultimately there is no wrong answer.

Pros of Assigning Seats for Your Wedding Reception

Although seating arrangements are one of the many details that comprise a wedding reception and are fully customizable according to the bride and groom’s wishes, something to consider is that it is a topic of discourse among traditionalists and modernist wedding-goers. Traditionally, the bride’s family and the groom’s family sit separately on each side

With assigned seating, you decide where each of your guests will sit per table. These spots are usually reserved with name cards. These seats engage guests with one another and create a specific experience at each table.

Organization & Control

Having an assigned seat for guests allows for a less complicated approach to finding a seat and makes settling in less awkward. There is no apprehension to sitting next to people you don’t know because the bride and groom wanted you to meet them. This method allows you to separate family members who don’t get along and match guests who you think should meet. This method streamlines the process of beginning the event and saves time so your event can run on schedule.

Additionally, caterers can better monitor food allergies and sensitivities throughout the event if guests are assigned a specific seat or table. They are also more likely to get your guest’s orders right and on time.

Increases Formality & Decreases Cost

Having a seating arrangement adds to the elegance of the event. Having placards adds a polished look to table decor and can give you a way of personalizing your guests’ experience.

Creating a seating arrangement increases the chances of staying on budget and not having any surprise expenses. This method can save on decor expenses and catering expenses.

Adds a Layer of Creativity

Assigned seating for your wedding reception can give you some creative liberties on enhancing your guests’ experiences with decor or match-up personalities to enhance their time at your event. You might want to pair an introverted guest with someone who is a social butterfly. Additionally, adding some personalized elements at each table can make all the difference in your guest’s experience.

Cons of Assigning Seats for Your Wedding Reception

Added Stress of Planning Ahead

Even though assigning seats for your wedding reception decreases stress day-of, it adds to the stress of planning the seating arrangements ahead of time. Even though it could be fun for some to match up guests, it can get daunting and time-consuming when analyzing the outcomes and experiences of every table and seat selection for guests. You may also have to account for last-minute changes of cancellations and additions, which can throw off planning. If you’re overwhelmed and don’t have time to think about this detail, it may be best to opt for an open seating policy at your reception.

Unexpected Attendees

When dealing with a strict seating chart, sometimes it makes for a chaotic situation. For example, if a guest forgets to RSVP or a guest brings a plus one that wasn’t accounted for, this can mean that there is no extra room for additional guests. This can mean that you need to be prepared ahead of time with extra chairs or tables if a situation arises.

Guests May Not Love Their Seat

Despite your best efforts, someone may indeed have negative feelings about where they are seated or who they are seated with. This could impact the experience that they have at your event. While there is no way of knowing if this will happen, a good compromise would be to assign tables instead of specific seating. Also consider assigning bridal parties and family, but allow other guests to choose their seating.

Windows on the Water Can Assist in Planning Your New Jersey Wedding Reception

Windows on the Water, an 86-acre lakeside venue located in New Jersey specializing in open-air and tented events, can help you plan the most perfect and engaging wedding reception. Our team of expert wedding planners can address any issues and create a customizable package and experience your guests will never forget.

With the assistance and dedication of our professional staff and wedding planners, you can rest assured that your reception will be above and beyond your expectations. For more information about the lake wedding venue and our packages, fill out our contact form or call (609) 208-9475.

If you are trying to decide between assigned seating or letting guests choose where to sit, you’re in the right place! By the time it comes to this part of your wedding planning, you’ve already made hundreds of other decisions. We don’t blame you if you’re feeling a bit confused and unsure of what to do. In this post, we have cleared defined assigned seating vs no assigned seating, we’ve listed pros and cons, and offered some helpful alternatives.

The key is to think about how you would like your guests to experience your wedding. Are you hosting fewer than 50 people who all know each other quite well? Perhaps assigned seating will feel too formal for you. Will you have a larger wedding with more people to coordinate? Assigned seats may be best for you. Take a peek at the options below!

Stargaze Photography | Avalon House Hotel

No assigned seating

In this instance, there is no table plan, seating chart or assigned seats of any kind. Your guests can walk into your reception venue and choose where they would like to sit.

Pro: Contributes to a relaxed atmosphere, which is ideal for weddings of up to 50 guests.

Pro: Guests can choose where they sit and who they sit with.

Pro: You won’t need a seating plan, saving you lots of time.

Con: Can cause confusion about where to sit.

Con: Lots of time spent milling around, trying to decide where to sit.

Con: Awkward situations with guests saving seats for others, or partners and families being split up.

Con: Some full tables and some empty (it’s not uncommon for guests to drag their chair to another table).

Photographic Memory | Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort

Assigned seating

Assigned seating is where you have created a table plan or seating chart to let guests know where they are sitting. Each table has a seat assigned to a particular person.

Pro: Less confusion for guests.

Pro: More control as guests enter the venue, saving time for everybody.

Pro: Can separate guests who don’t get along, such as divorced parents.

Pro: You can choose to seat guests together who don’t know each other but may get along, like your college friend and favourite cousin.

Pro: Can keep track of guests with food allergies and dietary restrictions.

Con: Guests may not like their seat, or the people they sit with.

Con: Some guests may be hurt, offended or insulted by their placement.

Con: It’s time-consuming to arrange beforehand.

Alex Zaradov Photography | Glasson Lakehouse

Compromise

You don’t have to choose assigned or open seating. There are a couple of options that select the pros from each!

Partially assigned seating: Let your immediate family and bridal party know where they should sit. Then, unassigned and open seating for everyone else.

Assigned tables, but not seats: Select which table each person will sit at and allow them to choose their seat and who sits next to them.