table plan & place cards - what would/did you do?

I'm going to do both, and my sister did both at her wedding. It depends whether you want people to sit in specific seats - for example, my sister had planned out the seating so people like our grandmother would be facing the top table during the meal, as she's not very mobile and wouldn't be able to twist round to look during the speeches.

You could just have a seating plan, but I think chances are then high that people will choose whatever seat they want at the table you've put them on, as they're less likely to remember how the plan was laid out by the time they get to the table, and they'll probably assume it can't matter much if there are no place cards.

So if you don't mind that, then don't worry about place cards, but if you do have specific ideas about seating then I'd do them in my opinion, a table plan helps guests locate their table, and then place cards help them locate their seat.

I did both for the same reason as the previous reply. If I saw my name on a table planner, I wouldn't necessarily recall where on the actual map my seat was, just the name/number of the table.

All the weddings I've been to had the guests name & table on the board, then a place name card/tag on the actual spot they sit in.

I have never been to a wedding where they don't have place card so I think it's pretty standard - I think it is either a free for all regarding seating or allocated seats at tables. It depends how worried you are about people talking to each other or any awkwardness - I have recently done my seating plan and found it reassuring to think that I have placed people next to each other with similar interests or who I think will get along - particularly for guests who won't know many others there.

I think the first answer was a perfect response, exactly what I would have said.

People use a table plan to work out which table they're on not which seat. They're often done as a list too and not in any seat order, not always mind, so yes - both are necessary if you want people in set seats, and people will expect it tbh.

I would suggest place cards so there is no confusion or embarrassment for your guests.

Thanks for your replies ladies, I think you've hit the nail on the head - h2b thinks its overkill to give people set seats. In his mind, if they know which table they're at, they will seat themselves. Whereas I think it's easier for the guests if we have place cards so that there's no confusion. however, as everyone is getting the same favours (no boy/girl split), we could just do it his way. I'm just worried that, as you point out, guests will expect place cards and be confused when they get to their table and there aren't any. Hmm.