Seat Assignments - Necessary or Not?

Necessary, all about organization, planning and coordination!

I think if there are kids at your wedding reception then I would have a specific kids section, but for adults I would not want to tell everyone where to sit. They are all adults they can figure out where to sit.

We're doing table, but not seat, assignments. Give them a bit of freedom but also enough structure that nothing gets confused. Plus then I'll know where to find people during dinner to drop in to say hi to certain people. And the photographer can get pictures of certain people that I want group pics of easier!

Assigned tables are absolutely necessary. I've watched a couple YouTube videos by wedding planners who have shared horror stories about kids being split from their parents, having to bring in extra tables and chairs, etc all because the couple couldn't be bothered to assign seats.

I don't think you necessarily need to assign specific seats, but definitely tables. Also if you are doing a plated dinner you will either need assigned seats and/or place cards so that the servers can get the right meal to the right person.

I think assigned tables are considerate to guests. No, people will not choose their tables if you do not assign them, they will get what is available. They may go around and ask, is this seat taken, and be told sorry, we are saving. It may be humiliating, like junior high cafeteria. And you will need extra seats, to avoid couples and families from being separated. Like theatres, there will be single seats left open. This will cost money, more centerpieces, more linens, etc.

And please, do not reserve tables just for the VIPs. There will be an aunt who thought she was just like family. Who is going to tell her, sorry you have to find your seat. This is why wedding planners hate this, they are the ones stuck telling people, nope, you are not a VIP, find your own seat. Instead of saying, you are at table 8, they are waiting for you.

Not necessary. I am having assigned spots for immediate family, but everyone else can sit where they are comfortable. I don't really want to spend the time trying to arrange everyone.

Not necessary for us. Our families get along so well and all our friends have met and I'm not worried at all about awkwardness or empty chairs

Nope. I consider this an unnecessary stress. If I was having a more formal wedding then I would consider it.

It can be necessary for a larger wedding to coordinate everyone at the reception and make sure couples (like bride or groom's parents, grand parents, their best friend and his/her spouse) can sit together. Personally because I'm having a smaller wedding, I think we'll do assigned tables not seats.


As for at the ceremony, only reserve the front row for the immediate family and everyone else can sit wherever.

Really not necessary to me. Let everyone sit where they want.

Absolutely necessary--actually, it's the only one of these so far that I believe IS necessary. It would be so awkward for guests to stand around trying to figure out where to sit. Imagine a dinner party with a few friends--people never know exactly where to sit themselves, so they just stand there waiting to be instructed. Now multiply that by the number of guests you'll have at your wedding. Totally necessary. That being said, I don't think chairs need to be assigned. Just tables.

Definitely necessary! I have heard of weddings not having any seating arrangement and it sounds like it was a mess. I don't think it's necessary to have specific seats picked out but at least table assignments should be done.

I strongly feel against signed seating, but that's my personal opinion. I have a fee reserved tables which labels for each parent and immediate family/ wedding party significant others, but otherwise I want my guests to be as comfortable as possible and to let them sit next to whoever they want. 😁

Not necessary, In the beginning I wanted to do assigned seating but now I just want everyone to be comfortable and sit where ever they would like.

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For whatever it's worth, it may end up being that people then leave 1 chair here, 1 chair there, and then other couples/families may end up being split up. I like knowing where I'm going to be sitting at large events.

Nope, nope, nope. My family and church family are pretty accepting of everyone. They're the majority of our guest list and would do everything to make my college friends and his family & friends feel welcome. I've only been to one wedding with seat assignments and well I was an OOT guest so I think I would've felt awkward either way.

I didn’t do table seating when I married 25 years ago but going into my 2nd marriage at 50 I can see the importance of it. It is a little extra work but I think it’s important to put people whom would feel comfortable together (not awkward).

For some an assigned seating is necessary. Like if I was to have the big reception I would need assigned seating because there are people in my family who should sit together or you'll have to break up a few fights.

Not necessary for us. The only seats that will be reserved will be for parents, grandparents, & siblings.

We are having assigned tables but not assigned seats. It did not feel necessary for our wedding to have assigned seating.