Ask the Expert: How Do We Communicate to Our Guests That There Are No Table Assignments?


Wedding Guests Toasting

iStockphoto/Neustockimages

Q: Our reception is going to be laid-back, with no formal sit-down dinner, so we aren’t going to do table assignments. How do we communicate to our guests that they can sit wherever they want?

A: To avoid confusing your guests, says Clayre Cardi of Wayne’s Kaleidoscope Weddings, you’ll want to make sure your intentions for seating are clearly noted somewhere near the reception entrance. A sign that reads, “Choose any seat; our only plan for tonight is that you drink, dance and eat!” is a wonderful option.

And remember: You’ll want to add one extra table per every 50 guests to account for empty seats left between people who are freelance-mingling.

For more Ask the Expert questions and answers, go here

This article originally appeared in the fall/winter 2016 issue of Philadelphia Wedding. 

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