The pros and cons of assigned/open seating?

Definitely do assigned seating. I've been to weddings with open seating and if you have 100 guests, that will be total chaos.

I like assigned seating if it's a large guest list. We are only having about 40 so we will do open seating. FH and I both wanted it that way. Anymore then that I def would've had assigned seats or at least assigned tables.

Please assign tables at least. Open seating if very frustrating for guests. I went to a wedding this year where we ate outside in the rain with the grooms parents because there was no assigned seating and we could not find open table with enough seats for FH and I to sit together.

Assigned seating for sure. You don't want people losing their seat, wandering like they're in a cafeteria, or having to split up with friends because there aren't enough seats at any tables

Assigned: Not a shitshow

Open: Shitshow

Assigned tables. Otherwise some families may not be able to sit together unless you have excess seating available.

Assign Tables or it will be awkward for everyone with gabs at tables and you will need to have extra's so that guests can sit with who they came with.

Unassigned seating - free for all with people ending up standing to eat because other guests have left on seat available rather then making enough space for all to fit.

honestly the unassigned seats really only work if you have a party of like 10 or less where everyone is seated at one table.

Pros of at least assigning tables:

Guests do not have to run around and find a seat.

Guests do not get told by other guests, sorry, saving. No hurt feelings.

Guests do not get split up (some family members at one table, others elsewhere)

You do not have to have 10-20% extra seating to avoid split up groups

Pros of not assigning tables:

Saves bride and groom time.

Unless it less than 20 people, assign tables. Every wedding I've been to without at the least assigned tables, even one with only 40 people or so, had seating chaos as people wandered around, didn't know where to sit, and got separated from families.

Out of the 2 dozen wedding I've attended, only one was open seating. Combined with the poor hosting level (quality and quantity of food), we realized the couple probably didn't give a shit about their guests' comfort.

We also got stuck at a table with 2 uninvited kids, who were total brats. I guess that's to be expected, when they have entitled parents. We spent as much time away from the table as possible.

Assigned seating. At first I thought it was too formal and too “controlling” but I realized without it, it becomes more of a school lunch situation and groups get split up and it’s just chaotic especially with 100 people. I’m going to a wedding next weekend and the website says it’s a buffet and open seating so we shall see how that goes lol

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! Assigned seating it is!

Well I'm having opened. Seating and I will have a sign at the door that states " pick a seat not a side" .....ASSIGNED seating now that's where the HEADACHE comes In just have enough tables you'll be fine

We doing assigned tables 150

Guest, gotta keep some order.

There are no pros to open seating, and it has nothing to do with 'picking a seat or a side" It is confusing to the guests; the only possible pro is that it is easier for you. Kudos on deciding to have seating assignments. You don't need to assign seats, just tables

I'm just assigning tables. I'll have 75ish guests.

There are no cons to assigned seating. There are TONS of cons to open seating. With 100 guests it will be a madhouse with people scrambling to find/save seats. Don't do this to your guests, make it easy on them. FYI: It took me legit maybe an HOUR to assign tables to all 151 of my guests; it was NOT a headache.

Definitely at least assign tables. Went to a wedding with open seating and my group of friends (everyone lives out of town now, so we were trying to stick together) couldn't find tables with more than 1 or 2 seats together, and we ended up standing. Eventually there was a table open when we realized the bridal party had chosen seats with their relatives or friends themselves, leaving their reserved table vacant. It was just a lot of confusion, so that made the decision for me. Going into it, FH and I had planned on doing open seating ourselves, and we looked at each other and immediately knew we didn't want the same to happen.

I think with that many guests, open seating would be very chaotic. We are just doing assigned tables. The guests can figure out specific seats on their own

I've only been to one wedding without assigned tables. It was last month and let me tell you, I did not like it one bit! I was confused when I arrived and since my H was meeting me there after work, I had to save a seat. I wasn't sure at first if I had missed the table assignments, so I asked another lady who was already sitting if it was open seating. She responded with, all these seats are taken. Well isn't that pleasant? I wasn't asking to sit with her, just a general question. Next thing I knew, she tilted all the seats at her table so people would know not to sit there and the legs were sticking out in the aisle. Then my H called to say he was almost there. I went outside to wait for him. On my way out, someone I knew stopped me and asked if I wanted to sit with them. Sure, I guess but that table was right next to the head table and I thought it was inappropriate for us co-workers to have that spot, but whatever so I said yes. When my H and I got back inside we realized we were at the table with the bride's sister. Her other family members were at a different table. Then more co-workers arrived and we ended up being split between 4 tables. It was chaos to say the least and not very enjoyable. Please assign tables.