Open Seating vs. Seating Cards

Open Seating vs. Seating Cards

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To assign seats or to not assign seats . . . . . .That is the question. This topic has been on my mind lately as I was at a wedding on Memorial Day weekend with a seating plan and we had the best time with our table (with many old college friends I hadn’t seen in a while).  Many brides and grooms never know if they should allow their guests to choose their own seats or to assign them. We are going to give you the pros and cons of each one so that making the decision can be a little bit easier.

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Open Seating – Pros

• Guests get to choose where they sit
• Guests get to choose who they sit by
• No extra stress the night before, such as cancellations, last minute RSVP or the dreaded unplanned plus one 🙂
• No extra cost for seating cards (Below is just simple a Pinterest Pick to announce open seating)

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Open Seating – Cons

• Tables will fill up fast so odd numbered groups may have to split up between two or more tables
• Everyone will want to sit closest to the bride & groom or the dance floor so family may be pushed to the back or separated
• Tables may be segregated so not a lot of mingling will happen
• You can’t easily have a plated meal where guests can pick their entree (ex: chicken, beef, vegetarian), buffet style works so much better

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Seating Card – Pros

• Family can be seated close to the bride & groom where you want them
• You can have a plated meal with meal choices
• You can make sure family and friends who don’t get along are seated apart
• Your family won’t have to hurry and try to save seats
• You can ensure your friends who won’t know many people at the wedding will be seated with people you know they will have a fun time with (instead of your fiancé’s awkward great aunt & uncle)
• Similar types of guests – family, college friends, work friends, etc – can be strategically place near each other for easier interaction
• It is fun to plan and make seating cards, it’s just one more little detail to have fun with (Pinterest is perfect for some quirky ideas for these too)

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Seating Card – Cons

• Stressful and time consuming, especially the night before the wedding
• Could potentially be more expensive depending on a few factors
• At least one guest will probably not be happy with their seating assignment

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With this short list of pros and cons we hope this helps to make your decision a little bit less stressful. To get your mind off of seating arrangements for now, check out some of our featured venues around Omaha that would work wonders for a bridal shower or rehearsal dinner. Whether they are Downtown, in Rockbrook Village, Village Pointe or just around the city, you are sure to find what you need for any occasion.

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