Seating plan

I only have 30 guests but I'm doing a seating chart precisely because I want to put people with other people they know. It's not something you have to do. It just depends on your preference.

I suggest a seating chart. Just makes things run smoothly from the get go. As the night proceeds, and people get up to dance then they can kind of sit wherever they please.... but for dinner, it's nice to just know where to go.

I agree that making a seating chart can seem like a daunting task, but unless you have a very small guest list, I think it saves your guests a lot of stress.

People like knowing where they're going to sit and not scout the room for a spot. Let's say, a group of people run late (ex. a family of 4). What if there isn't a table that can accommodate all of them? Do they have to split up? What if grandpa doesn't want to run the risk of sitting near the sub-woofer speakers?

I think generally, guests enjoy a wedding more when they are with people that they might know, or with people that the couple feel that they will hit it off with.

Like Daphne said, it also makes things smoother for your venue when they know which guests with special requirements are seated.

Hi Santana, Nice to meet you. I send you some discussion to see what the other brides-to-be think about it. - Seating - Seating - Seating! (children and babies of wedding party) How is the rest of the planning going? xx

I am doing Family style, people can sit where ever they want, no stressing over where they will sit. let them figure it out.

Ya I guess that makes sense. thank you very much ladies

I think it is better to have a seating chart. For guests who come in groups or as couples, as seats fill up, it becomes harder for them to try and find seats together. I tried to seat people together the best I could and with people they know. Also I wanted to make sure I didn't have any extra tables because then I end up having to pay more, it takes up more space, and you have random tables with empty chairs.

The main reason for having a seating chart is to ensure that you don't have to have more tables than the number of people attending. As well, as making sure that if you have any guests that have special requirements, think older guests who have trouble moving around and would be best closer to the exit/restrooms/etc., you want to make sure the table closest to whatever they need is kept for them.

People seating themselves wherever usually means you end up with tables that have an empty chair because people will form the groups they want and rarely does this work out to the exact number of people that can sit at a table. You then end up with a few couples trying to find a table that has enough space for both of them or friends that came as singles, but don't want to be sitting alone with a table of potential strangers.
In the end it's up to you, but it's usually just easier for guests to know where they're sitting than to try and find a seat at a table that may or may not still have open seats.