How to get guests to stray from "Bride Side" & "Groom Side"?

Ushers. They will make sure the seating gets filled out.

I don't think people actively choose on which side to sit. I wouldn't sweat it.

We are going to have lop-sided attendance as well (my family is larger but almost all live far enough away that they are unlikely to come)... since we won't have ushers nor groomsmen, a sign just makes it clear that folks can find a spot to sit on their own.

Immediate family is going to get reserved seats with tags on each chair & their name so they can get the first two rows and the most important people will be super close.

I'm also going to do circular seating without an aisle, but knowing the age of some of the attendees and their tendency to stick to tradition, they'd probably be likely to still try to pick a side... lol.

@mackenizie normally I don't correct spelling, but its "you're loved" not "your loved". I only point that out because you're getting a sign made with an error on it.

I don't know that many people really pay attention to the sides anymore. Most people will just sit wherever. I don't think a sign is necessary.

I don't think I've ever been to a wedding with a sign regarding seating, other than a seating chart at a reception. I don't think it matters. People will sit where they sit; I don't think they even notice or care who is supposed to sit on which side anymore.

It should be too bad. Have the sign like other PP said.

But place your chairs so they are even and JUST enough for everyone. Someone will have to sit on your side anyways.

I just made sure to tell the ushers (aka the GMs) to seat people wherever. I was not doing seating by bride's side and groom's side as I wasn't sure how many people exactly would come to the ceremony (Catholic ceremony earlier in the day) and I didn't want either side to be uneven

At the wedding we went to in Texas in May, there was much kerfluffle with the family of the groom wanting to sit on "his" side. The bride's sil, queen of everything and ruler of the world, kept insisting that they move to the other side of the aisle so that the family could see the groom's face. The family kept pushing back. It is a very traditional family and the dad is a pastor (he officiated) so they have been to their share of weddings. It was pretty amusing from our perspective but Queenie kept stomping off to the bride to let her know "her future in laws would not cooperate." What you need to hear when you're getting ready to walk down the aisle! My son, the best man, took her by the arm and whispered "Leave Beth alone. Leave Al's family alone. SIT DOWN. Any where you want."

I think this is more common these days, and more people expect that there are no "sides" ( at least that is how I feel)

None of the weddings I've been to have had a sign regarding seating and people just sat wherever. I don't think it's such a big deal anymore, if you'd like to be really sure I would say maybe go with the sign.