Venue regrets - seating

I would go back to the owner of the venue owner and let the coordinator know that they are going to have to stand by these representations and find a way to make it work. Do you have a contract?

Seconding the question of whether the buffet tables are taking up space and if the owner didn't realize that you were going this route when making that representation to you. In that case, can you go to a seated menu?

Seating the VIP's inside somehow makes it worse though. Is there any way you could set up the buffet and dancing outside and have all the tables inside?

Exactly.

OP, who sits on a stupid bench at a wedding? Grandma doesn't deserve a seat back? Prepare to be hard-nosed with this venue because this is unacceptable. They should be doing everything in their power to keep you as a client and not get sued.

UGH they aren't willing to accommodate any of this. They won't put the food stations outside and they wont move the bench seating for actual tables. They claim that its supposed to be a cocktail style reception with only 40% seating and not a seated dinner. We are doing passed hors devours and small plates at the food stations so I can see why they are calling it a cocktail reception...but I was still under the impression that everyone would have a seat.

Small plates and a buffet style reception or not, this is completely at odds with telling you they could do "full seating." What I can't understand is how all this wasn't spelled out in your contract and made clear to you. Unfortunately, what happens in a situation like this is that people camp out at the few available tables and won't leave their seats or will have someone "save" their seats with coats or bags.

Wait so only 40% of your guests will have seats? Whomever arrives first will "save" their seat and there will be people without an opportunity to sit down at all. Can you rent extra chairs and tables? You'll need to find seats for the remaining 120 people. Does this venue never have events that require seating for everyone?

I think it is going to work out. You will know more once you get your rsvps back? Are children included? Maybe you could have them sit on a parent’s lap? I would ask my closest friends and younger family members if they would mind helping you by standing or going outside. I personally would not mind eating outside at all. I am usually cooped up inside and I would love a chance to eat outside on a beautiful terrace. Stay positive. It is going to somehow work out.

I don't know if asking people to stand or be on a lap is going to help. Most of the people at this reception don't have seats.

Contacting the State Attorney General about this is absolutely absurd and laughable. If there was a breach of contract, the couple can contact the proper authorities in consultation with a lawyer. An Attorney General is not the official to handle this, lol.

If you really want this location, I think making the outdoor area a cute niche spot would be cute. Have seating open with some reserved spots and maybe you could place out there fans or umbrellas for shade that are specific to those seated outside. People may actually enjoy it. I think the best thing to do for this scenario is to keep it cute, accommodating to the weather, and make sure they feel included. Table touches specifically for those outside is also a nice way or having some wedding features that can only be accessed outside is nice to maintain an indoor-outdoor feel for all guests. This is something my coordinator recommended to me because even though the venue could accommodate our 100 guests, it felt a bit cramped, so we opened up the patio to increase the spacing between tables.