Is Open Seating a Terrible Idea?

Open seating might feel like a great alternative to creating a seating chart. Because, let’s be honest, making a seating chart for your wedding reception is tedious and a pain in the butt. It’s one of the least exciting parts of wedding planning.

Is pouring over a seating chart necessary? Or is open seating the answer?

Open seating at weddings has increased in popularity. It’s an easy option for couples who don’t want to fool with a planned seating arrangement. You’ve probably seen the, “pick a seat, not a side” signs at a wedding ceremony. But is it a good option when it comes to your reception seating?

What’s the Difference Between Open Seating and a Seating Chart?

With a seating chart, every guest has an assigned seat at the reception. It’s an intricate and sometimes complicated process. Seating chatty Aunt Millie next to your introverted co-worker isn’t a good idea. You have to decide which guests will mesh well together during your wedding.

You’ll also need to print or write out name cards along with a table number for each guest. Guests will pick up the card that reads their name when they arrive.

Open seating at a wedding reception is a bit of a free for all. There are no seating or table assignments. As guests arrive, they will either find an open table or look for other guests they know and sit next to them. The likelihood that your guests end up sitting next to someone they don’t know increases with open seating.

Pros and Cons of Open Seating

There are several things to consider with open seating for your reception.

Formality

Because open seating is more casual, it doesn’t work for a black-tie event. Go for a seating chart instead.

Meal Type

If you’re serving a plated dinner for which each guest has chosen a specific entrée, open seating shouldn’t be an option. Don’t make your servers scramble to find out who ordered the fish and which guests opted for chicken. A buffet or family-style meal is a better fit for open seating.

If you have guests with food allergies, pre-planned seating may still be a better option. This way your servers can easily find the guest (or guests) with a food allergy.

Socialization

Open seating may feel awkward for guests. They may end up sitting with people they don’t know. This is especially true for guests who are flying solo to the wedding. A seating chart takes the guesswork out of deciding where to sit. It also creates a more comfortable environment at each table.

There is also a common problem with open seating — not enough seats. Couples or families will want to sit together. This may cause the need for more tables, which may be an additional cost through your rental company.

You Still Need a Seating Chart

Even with open seating, you’ll still need to create a small seating chart for your VIP guests. This includes your parents, siblings, grandparents, and wedding party. These guests will arrive later at the reception after posing for photos. And some will participate in the grand entrance. The last thing you want is for your top people to get stuck with the leftover seats.

Consider Every Guest

Do you have family and friends with disabilities or special needs? Guests who need a wheelchair to get around may need to sit at a table with extra room around it. And your pregnant cousin Lily might appreciate a seat near the ladies’ room. These guests will benefit from a seating chart.

When Does Open Seating Work?

Open seating is best for casual weddings where there is a buffet or family-style meal. But for a more formal affair, it’s a no go.

It’s also a good option if you’re hosting a cocktail reception. At a cocktail reception, you’ll find high and low tables for guests. It also runs about two hours shorter than a traditional reception. Make sure there are plenty of places for guests to sit down if they get tired.

It ultimately comes down to your preference for your wedding. While open seating doesn’t work in every situation, you can never go wrong with a seating chart for your wedding reception.

Jacqueline Mann is a freelance content writer specializing in the wedding industry. She worked as a marketing manager at a wedding venue for almost five years before starting her business writing blog content, website copy, and newsletters for wedding and other business professionals. You can find out more via her website.