Seating Place Cards...

[WhiskeyGirl]

What do you all think about having Place cards to tell people where they are sitting for the reception and the program? (After that people can sit where ever they want during the dance and party.) Our thinking was that we have to have half of the tables reserved for "special people" anyhow, why couldn't we just set out the rest too? (We are setting aside a certain amount of tables because we are having German guests who do not speak much English, so we figured that they may not appreciate sitting with people they do not know or understand.) We are having a fairly formal and elegant wedding. Are any of you doing Place Cards to show people where they are sitting? How are you working it all? My feelings are that perhaps people will not like being told where to sit, but I know when I go to a wedding I would prefer to be told where to sit then to have sit with someone I really don't know or try and find a free table that we can sit at, that isn't already reserved for someone else. (That is being saved type of thing.) So is Place Cards a silly thing to do? Or is it something that I shouldn't totally be against? What are your opinions and what are you doing?

~CanadianBride~

[usahgrad]

What I was thinking of doing was having the guests names on cards with the number table they were going to be sitting at. That way they still get to pick their seats, it's just limited to a particular table. Also, this saves me (or someone else) from having to run around and set them up accordingly. They would all be set on a table near the entrance and people would pick them up as they came in. My cousin did this for her wedding and I think it still followed the very formal atmosphere, but was flexible as well. Also, that means you don't have to actually set up a seating chart, you can just list who's going to be at what table: still a hassle, but not so much.

[iluvweddings]

I am having (4) family tables where there will be reserved seating. I did make place cards for all of my guests, but... they will stop at the hostess table, give their names - the hostess will pass them their place cards, look on the chart to see which table is open (sorta like a restaurant) and let the ushers know which table to escort them to.
I don't want anyone at my wedding to feel any less important than the next, so it will be more of a first come, first seated type of thing.
All of my tables have names instead of numbers so all of the tables have the same importance. It won't be like Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are at table 2 and they show up late, and Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are at table 15, their on time and have to sit in the back.

GOOD LUCK!

[lacey_8_99]

I am the odd woman out when it comes to this, atleast most of the time. I am not a fan of assigned seating, it makes me feel like I'm in high school. That is just my opinion though...plus, regardless, it creates more work for the bride.
If you are going to do this, do not tell ANYONE where they are sitting in advance, I guarentee you will have people wanting you to put them with this person and no where near this person...blah blah blah...it will end up in a complicated mess.
If you are extremely limited on space, or if you have to have an exact number of tables/seats for your hall...then assigning tables will probably be in your best interest. I know some halls do not allow half full tables. Persoanlly, I would rather make sure to have extra seating so that everyone is still free to sit where they would like. I have never been to a wedding where open seating was a problem, however I have been to more then one where someone without a date ended up stuck at a table with great aunts and people she didn't know. She would have been miserable, except we switched her seat for her. Probably poor etiquette, but oh well :) As for the German guests, I see no problem with reserving their tables and I doubt anyone would be upset by that.

[wedbyjean]

A suggestion for using table cards -- have it in alphabetical order. Do seating charts alphabetical order as well (not by table). This makes it so much easier to find out who sits where, since no one has to search the whole chart for someone's name.

[LaceyinPgh]

I say go for the seating cards. It isn't that much work to set up a seating chart. You just decide what table everyone is sitting at, write their name and table number on the card, then put the cards out where people can get them. It makes is especially nice if you are having a sit down meal like we are. The wait staff really appreciates knowing they need 4 chicken and 7 filets for table 5. If people have that big of a problem with it, they are only there for 45 minutes during dinner. It won't hurt them.

[iluvweddings]

I totally agree lacey, and yes definitely put the place cards in alphabetical order - that will save lots of time.

[Wildfire97504]

I would agree, go for it. We are having place cards which will assist with the seating process and helps us to keep some individuals separate from those that they may not understand quiet enough to appreciate. Place cards are easily prepared today with computer programs and definitely can help with the seating process.
Good luck.

[nataliesolly]

Howdee well I have designed my table plan myself and have decided that I will choose where everyone sits but what I have told people is that they will be on tables of friends so that its informal but also I can steer who sits where.

There are a couple of people who I am aware of that have their differences so this has enabled me to choose who sits with who and they also feel they are will all their mates at the same time.

Sometimes I think everyone has a much better and relaxing time with their own grup rather than have to get to know someone for 2 hours over the meal.

All the cards will be on the tables according to my table plan. So no-one one will have to pick up their names or anything. Seems simpler for me and less aggrivation.x