Feeling of impending doom - 115 guests and 60 seats at the table

Could you have some seperate chairs away from the tables for guest to sit at?

Yes. we have another room with loads of sofas as well as some outside tables and chairs. Plenty of places for people to sit, i just want to "manage expectations" :-)

Hmm... Are you having an order of the day, either in paper form or a large one on an easel? Could you put something like...

3pm: eat, mingle, drink, dance and be merry

Obviously add/delete as appropriate.

I was thinking of doing a blackboard or similar.

The actual timetable is

3.30 - non-ceremony guests arrive

4pm - easter egg hunt

5pm - hog roast

7pm - music starts

midnight - carriages

I need to come up with something to convey the message, but I just can't think of it.

How about "5pm Hog roast begins.-Pick the pig when your ready!" ? lol sorry. It's been a long shift!

Will there be waiters of any kind with the caterers? You could get them t speak to a few people at a time and get them to start on food then as they are half way through get waiters again to go out and invite a few more people for food until you have a natural flow though?

Personally I think this is an ideal situation as I find people never want to sit down at the same time at an "informal" do (especially the men, who like to stand together or hang round the bar!).

I have been to more than one non-sit-down reception where all the tables are empty and everyone is mingling apart from the old and infirm (no offence!).

I think it sounds lovely, and I'm adding it to my (very rough) wedding plan!!

I think you'll be surprised at how well it will manage itself. You always get the people who are first to eat, the ones who'll sit and finish their conversation/drink before heading over and those who'll stay on the dance floor til the last possible moment. My friend had a similar 'timetable' at her wedding and people didn't really need telling what to do, it really did just work itself out I think if you say something like 'Hog roast served from <time> so it conveys the impression that it's an ongoing thing, you'll be fine.

I thikn this is fine if you have extra seating else qwehere. had it been 60 seats only or the floor then might of been a bit of a pickle.

it'll be fine & will be a relaxed fun dinner rather than formal 3 course dit down everyone has there place affair x

I would put something like 'the hog roast will be available between X and X, please help yourself!' - have it announced during the service

This.

My friend had one at her garden party wedding and it naturally flowed really well.

We're having the same thing at our home reception. We're having £300 people and only enough seats for between 150 and 200. We'll have had canapes beforehand, so people won't be starving.

Our evening do is a bbq for 80people and similar to what you have said. We will be putting on the order of the day 'informal bbq- grab some food and sit where you like'

Brilliant - thanks all! Now all I need is a blackboard...

? I was just thinking the same thing!

Any ideas where you get one?

You could make a lovely one with some mdf cut out with a jigsaw in any shape you like and some chalkboard paint!

Beachbum x

I'd just get family n friends to spread the word when they see people in the run up to your wedding that it won't be formal with seating plans etc. I'm sure it'll work out great!