Help please!! Seating Plan, Yes or no?

[Earthymama]

DP and I are celebrating our Civil Partnership on thursday and for some reason thought we would do it all ourselves!!

We are so tired we can't decide whether to have a seating plan or just let people sort themselves?

I am tending towards plan in that we do plan of tables with list of names and let people sort themselves out thereafter.

WWYD, oh wise Mnetters?

[shopalot]

How many are coming?

[sayanything]

We had a seating plan - with seats individually allocated - and I think it was best for our wedding because we had too many different groups of people who hadn't met before. But it took aaaaages to do. In retrospect, I wouldn't have bothered with the individual seating, but if you have lots of people who don't really know each other, I think a plan eliminates those awkward hovering-with-embarrassment-while-figuring-out-who-looks-remotely-friendly-to-share-a-table-with moments. I hope you have a lovely day.

[Earthymama]

Oh sorry!
36 adults and 9 children including 3 in high chairs.

Food is veggie savoury pastries, boiled potatoes, various salads, hummus, olives, couscous etc and its help yourself style.

Then vintage tea party.

[Earthymama]

Tea Party is free for all! Let them try to beat me to the home-made cvakes the guests are bringing!!

[Sarcalogos]

I'd be a benevolent dictator- seating plan but as ar as is possible keep family groups and friendship groups together.

[Earthymama]

I love the idea of being a benevolent dictator! After we have put it all in place tomorrow night I think they will be doubting my benevolence!!

Off to bed to dream of cake and catering!

[sue52]

I'm a fan of seating plans and you do have a fair number of guests so it helps if there's a bit of order. I love your vintage tea party idea and am going to nick it for my birthday.

[TheSurgeonsMate]

I like a seating plan better. My elbows are not sharp.