[Keakie]

As some of you know, our formal wedding is two weeks away. We're excited and working out the final details now.

There will be less than 100 people (probably 75-80 including children). I have so far opted to *not* assign seating because, really, there aren't a whole lot of people and I assume people can seat themselves where they please. We're pretty casual about that sort of thing and so are most of our family members.

My florist, who is a family friend, had mentioned to me that some people may be confused by that/not know where to sit if there are no name tags at any of the tables. I was thinking I might prepare a sign that we could put somewhere on or near the guestbook table that more or less says, "Please feel free to seat yourselves!" but, you know, that sounds nicer.

Can anyone wordsmith that into something more formal for me? So far the best I have come up with is, "Please feel free to choose your own seats!" but I don't know if it would come across the right way.

[shockandawe]

One way to do it is just to do assigned seating for the bridal party - just place a "reserved" sign on the tables that are specifically reserved for you, and that should be a pretty clear indication.

Or think about how restaurants do it. A simple sign that says "Please Seat Yourself", or if you're doing a wedding program, place a bullet at the end of the program that directs people to the reception hall that "seating is unassigned".

Hope any of this helps.
Good luck.

[crunchywannabe]

Come as you are.
Stay as long as you can
We are all Family, so
there is no Seating plan

[Keakie]

I like that. In all of my frustration I caved and actually wrote out a seating plan that I don't think is terrible (I only assigned tables, not down to the exact chair). I'll talk with dh tonight and see what he thinks we should do.

There are two pockets of family that are smaller (dh's being one because most of them live too far away to have been able to come, and my dad's side of the family being the other) and then one big pocket of family and friends who know one another, and I want to make sure the smaller groups all have someone at their table they can talk to. Everyone is friendly and despite a divorce, there's no one who I don't trust to be polite and cordial so that helps, but I'm leaning towards maybe using one after all. It really would just be for dinner, since there will be a dance floor and a patio for people to mill around on afterwards.

[Jessimaaka]

If you've already done the work, maybe just use it? You're right when people just use them for dinner anyways. Good luck and keep us posted