Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

DS's 1st birthday party is in 3 weeks in a restaurant and I am thinking of the seating arrangements. We invited around 65 people and I feel like I need to make seating arrangements, but I feel like ppl will be like SERIOUSLY?

what do you think?

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

i had thought about it, but i am not going to.

instead i am just telling the restaurant to set up an extra table so there will be more room for people and every table does not have to be full.

i honestly have no patience for it

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

we are doing assigned. it was a mess at some other family functions so we have learned our lesson

if your family can do it without a problem, i wouldnt but mine cannot

Message edited 3/17/2011 11:05:15 AM.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

I had over 100 people for DS's bday and had seating arrangements. It was a PITA but I think it worked out better then just having a free for all.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

for DS's 1st birthday i had about 80 people. i made assigned seating. anyone who didnt like their seat switched. not a big deal. figured it was easier than everyone looking for a place to sit.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

Posted by maymama

we are doing assigned. it was a mess at some other family functions so we have learned our lesson

if your family can do it without a problem, i wouldnt but mine cannot

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

I really like assigned seating... then I know I'm not going to wind up sitting with someones IL that I have nothing in common with!

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

I would leave it open, let people sit where they want! Too much work otherwise.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

For DS1, we didn't do assigned seating. It was tough because some friends who arrived a little late ended up sitting at random tables with old relatives! Also, there are always a few friends who don't know each other who feel weird about asking to sit at their table. It ends up being awkward for so many people...
For DS2 we did assigned seating. While it was a pain to do it, at least it was done in advance and I was able to enjoy the day, rather than running around making sure everyone had a table to sit at!

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

I think I would.

We had about 50 people at a restaurant for DDs Christening and didn't do seating.

Well people who didn't know each other, left seats inbetween and a couple people that showed up late couldn't find seats together.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

We had DDs bday at a restaurant with 60 ppl. It's the same 60 ppl we ALWAYS have at all our functions. We always know who wants to sit with who and where. Jimmys family always stays together, same with mine. We decided that we didnt need seating arrangements b/c we already know who will sit with who

Apparently THAT day...in over 6 yrs that i'm with his family, they all decided to split up and sit with other random people???? I was so ******, i had to mix friends in between family and other strangers they didnt know

So i say assign seats!!

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

Thanks everyone!

I am leaning more towards assigned seats, bc as others said, I dont want random seats empty and ppl who get here last cant sit together.

Now how to do the assigned seats? just like a wedding?

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements

absolutely.

I hate when I go to a party and there are 14 people squeezed at one table and then 4 people at the table next to it.

It's better for everyone involved.

Re: Restaurant birthday party--seating arrangements