Which would you rather?

[sunnyd]

I''ve started creating the seating chart (dun dun dunnnnn). We currently estimate 112 people, which equals 14 tables of 8 perfectly. But of course seating people isn''t so easy because natural groups of people don''t fall into perfect groups of 8.

So would you rather have groups together and maybe a few open seats (1, max of 2 per table at 2-3 tables)? This means an extra table and centerpiece and linen.

Or should I work it so that every seat is filled, even if it means some people don''t necessarily know any/everyone at the table? I''m thinking this would look better, especially if there are no-shows, but want your opinions please.

 

[jcarlylew]

im of the second choice opinion - as a guest, it was fine for me not to know everyone, becuase it was fun to see how they knew everyone!

 

[lucyandroger]

I would go for the comfort of your guests over the look of the extra table/ empty seats. You want people to be happy and enjoy your wedding. Plus, if you just space the seats evenly around the table, I bet no one will even notice.

Good luck getting through the seating chart!

ETA - Do you have to have the chairs there so that they're empty? Can you just have 6 or 7 chairs at some tables and space them around?

 

[meresal]

You know, with seating charts, if I saw an open chair I would imagine that someone didn't show up. Especially if it was at a table of people I knew and there were open chairs, I would wonder which of my friends decided not to come.

I would fill all the chairs

ETA: I've never been to a wedding with a full seating chart, but I have been to a few black tie events, and I do wonder who decided not to show up when I see empty chairs. Not so much when I see only one chair empty at a table, but when you see two or three, that is the impression I get.

 

[sunnyd]

Has anyone ever told a venue different numbers of seats for different tables? How did that work? Because I agree with mere, in that people would be wondering who didn't show!

ETA - I see your ETA now, Lucy, I wonder how difficult it would be for the venue to figure out. I imagine they wouldn't like to do that.

 

[ilovesparkles]

I would rather have a few open seats. I will never forget the wedding where I was clearly at the random last table. 4 people at a table of 10. How many were no shows and how many were extra seats I don''t know. But it was horrible! I would think you could have 7 or 6 chairs at a few tables so there are no open chairs, but maybe not. This would be the best option in my opinion!

 

[Inanna]

Date: 7/7/2009 1:54:09 PM
Author: sunnyd
Has anyone ever told a venue different numbers of seats for different tables? How did that work? Because I agree with mere, in that people would be wondering who didn''t show!

Yup. My caterer (who is providing the tables & other rentals) requested that I give her the final seating arrangement 7 days before the wedding. Basically I can seat 6-8 people per table, and she''ll make sure the appropriate amount of seats are at each table, no empties.

It seems like a pretty basic thing for any venue to handle.

 

[Haven]

I agree that your guests'' comfort should be your top priority, so whatever that means for the seating chart, I''m in favor of that!

We gave our caterer the final seating chart three days before the event, and we had from seven to 10 seats at each table. They easily placed the correct amount of seats at every table, and it worked out fine.

 

[CDNinNYC]

Date: 7/7/2009 1:54:09 PM
Author: sunnyd
Has anyone ever told a venue different numbers of seats for different tables? How did that work? Because I agree with mere, in that people would be wondering who didn't show!

ETA - I see your ETA now, Lucy, I wonder how difficult it would be for the venue to figure out. I imagine they wouldn't like to do that.

We had tables with different amount of chairs. It worked out really well, I think. I created a mock chart and labelled each table with how many settings it should and handed it over to the venue to set up.

Find out from the venue what they're willing to do. If they are ok with different amounts of chairs per table, I'd go with option 1. If not, I'd lean towards option 2.