Cocktail style reception with food stations - how to word invites???

How many guests are you having? I feel like even if you are doing stations you should assign tables. Otherwise I would add at least 20% extra seats...

Are you able to set up enough tables inside?

ETA: to quick with the send...

I would think by not assigning seats, any friends, that may also be introverts or may not know many people there, would be in quite an awkward place. My FBIL/FBSIL did a cocktail style reception (it was essentially a partial buffet dinner and partial passed heavy apps) but still had a table for everyone. A) it gave people a place to put their bags, shoes, jackets b) it gave everyone a seat C) it allowed everyone to sit during speeches and dances instead of awkwardly standing d) it allowed for the DJ/DOc to dismiss tables for the buffet portion.

I've been to a few weddings where I know a few people from work, or only really the bride and not her family..I would be quite intimidated not knowing anyone and not having a seat.

On the invite state reception to follow.

On the details card state please join us for cocktails, heavy appetizers, and food station reception.

Is there a maître 'D, captain or wait staff at the venue to guide people and tell them it's freestyle seating? Perhaps some signage that says, "feel free to mingle" or "freestyle seating."

I would still assign tables. My FSIL's wedding was exactly what you're describing and was very awkward for me because the only people I knew were at tables already full. FH was being pulled in a bunch of different directions for pictures and such so for a while I was on my own. I'm sure it's fine for some of your guests but please think of the ones who don't know a bunch of people and don't know where to go.

Use the wording, "Cocktail Reception to Follow." You can't please everyone. Do what you feel is best. As long as there is seating available for at least 80% of your guests, the evening will be fine.

^As long as there is seating for 80% of the guests!? wtf. So grandma might just have to stand and eat??

Yep...god forbid you try to do something different....

Your wedding sounds exactly like every cocktail hour at every venue I work in, and there are no seating charts for the cocktail hour. People mingle, chat, get up, get more food, sit down, get up, get more food. It's a totally different vibe than assigned seating at tables for 10....and it's great!

You have enough seating, plus extras, for everyone. And if you're doing a mix of big tables, little tables, casual seating, it really is impossible to do a seating chart. Nor do you need to (and you know how I love my seating charts....) You're not trying to hammer tables of ten together; it sounds like some tables will be two couples, and the banquettes sound like fun.

Despite my intense hatred of signs, I'd get one that says something like, "Eat, drink and sit where ever you'd like!"

On the invites, I'd just say, "Cocktails, stations and hors d'oeuvres immediately following the ceremony."

It'll be great. Just don't herd everyone in there and then make them all sit for endless speeches and intros. Start the party as soon as they get in to the reception space and pepper your dances and speeches throughout the evening.

OP I'm doing the exact same thing you're doing & I was a little worried about that as well .. Thanks PP for the advice!

Every set of cheeks deserves a seat.

We did a beautiful cocktail reception a year ago where I work. She didn't have a seat for everyone, but had plenty of different size tables, cocktail, cafe tables. She also rented some furniture that was on the lawn. It was so pretty!! There was food all night. You really have to talk to your venue and let them know your vision. It can be done. I really liked the flow of the reception.

And I don't personally feel that you need to have seating for everyone if you are truly following a cocktail format, but that seems to be an UO here. So I'd do that plus a few.

You know all your guests. Makes sure they are sitting with people they know or you feel would have something in common. This is how you make sure it's not awkward. What you are doing is making it like a high school cafeteria feeling of guests walking around lost trying to find a seat

On the invite include reception to follow. Can you have your DJ announcing something like 'please continue to enjoy the multiple food stations throughout the evening'

Don't overthink it! I'm pretty sure everyone has been to a cocktail party or cocktail hour before, so your guests should be able to figure out what you are going for and enjoy it. I don't think a seating chart is compatible with your desired vibe, so I wouldn't worry about that at all. A sign or DJ announcement when guests enter the reception space can help make sure everyone knows what to do. But I wouldn't both mentioning anything in the invitations.

Interested in knowing what your food stations are going to be?

We had a food station reception and we still assigned seats. I was important to me that everyone had a place to sit because I have been to receptions where there wasn't enough chairs. It's hard to eat standing in heels.

Thank you everyone for the replies! We will have more than enough seats for the guests and a coat check will be available if needed, though I doubt it as the wedding is on October 7th in NYC. Our venue seats 200 and we are expecting just over 100 so space will not be an issue. We will have a band and I was thinking of having them make an announcement regarding food. A sign at the entrance to the room would be a nice touch as well! We initially wanted to keep it very small but then decided the more the merrier. Despite the increased guest list we do want the vibe to be less formal and just encourage our guests to hang out and eat, drink and dance to our awesome wedding band!

We haven't chosen the menu yet but I'd be interested to know what others have chosen for their food stations and how it worked out.

The one I worked had: local beer pairing, mac n cheese bar, mashed potato bar, crab cakes (we are in Maryland), seafood station with raw oysters, shrimp and crab claws, some sort of beef, different salads, hot and cold roasted veggies. Not all the food came out at once. But, there was not a shortage. It was really beautiful. And so will yours!!

Doing the same thing here! We're putting "Cocktail and hors d'ourderve reception to immediately follow" on the invites and website.