I just went to a wedding with round seating..I think you're making a mistake to assign any seating besides the head table (which in our case was the middle of the room of round tables). A 60" round is a cavern with only 5 people at it. It dosen't hurt people to meet new people :)

I agree with igloochic! While you didn't ask whether or not to assign seats, I think it'd be much more festive and fun to forego the assignments (except for the head table) and just allow people to "mix and match", so to speak.

I didn't do assigned seating at my wedding - mostly because of what you're going through right now! But, I do admit, as a guest it's nice to have a table already reserved so you don't have to go and find a place to sit.

I would put at least two couples who know each other at each table and put them side by side to other tables of people they know. Really, at a wedding you only sit down to eat, and then everyone is up and about dancing and visiting.

I think you need to put at least 7 people at each table if possible. Unfortunately, 103 is a hard number to divide evenly!! Maybe you need to invite a few more until you get a number divisible by 8!!

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have one other solution ad that is to rent 3 tables of 54 inch round for the two tables of 6 and the table of 5.
Would that be any better.

That's a good option. The only other thing to think about is having an extra overflow table in case someone unexpected shows up!

The tables of 5 & 6 will look out of place, regardless of the size table. I would ask for another 72" and combine those for a second table of 11.

Skip the large table. Eleven at any single table is, IMO, just too many people to have a good conversation.

I'd only use the ones that seat 8 comfortably and set them for either 7 or 8. Try working an arrangement with 5 tables of 8 guests (=40) and 9 tables of 7 (=63). This strategy leaves ample space for surprise guests (noooooo!), extra elbow room for those at the 7-person tables, and odd numbers for single/divorced guests. Anyway, it's a wedding, not a slumber party. Hopefully people can be comfortable enough sitting where you put them for the hour or so they need to eat.

I am a real traditionalist (and a math teacher). I like assigned seats. Did I mention I am a teacher? As long as I can sit with my DH, I don't care who else is at my table :)

Alternately, you could get all-out-medieval and go with only 13 tables. This gives you 12 full tables of 8 and one table of 7. Frankly, I think I *might* like this option too, since there WILL be a person or 2 who will not be able to come last minute. More room for dancing!!!

When is the wedding?

I dislike math, am not a teacher, but do agree that seating at a formal wedding reception should be mapped out in advance. I think that seating 11 guests at one table is just too many and will look very odd with tables seating only 7 guests. I just went through a seating arrangement for an anniversary party I hosted for my parents this summer. What an ordeal. We did have tables of 8 that we seated 9 or 7, but that was the limit for the over/under.

No seating plan for a wedding reception to me, gives the impression that you really didn't give it much thought. People can get up and mix at other tables during the reception, but for dinner service purposes, it helps the venue greatly if you have a seating plan. I guess I just can't picture going to a formal wedding reception where it is a sit where you want type thing. However, if you are hosting a very informalaffair, I guess it would work?

Best of luck with the seating, it is one of the most difficult tasks of planning a party.

Another vote for a seating plan....the only weddings I have been to without one were of the keg of beer and the barbecue buffet sort...very informal.
a 54 inch round is commonly called "an 8 top" while a 60 inch is called a 10 top....at least by my Country Club.
8 at a 54 inch table is "cozy", 7 is better....but a 60 inch round has a huge amount of dead space in the middle and is almost impossible to talk across....and don't even think about the 72 inch table...that's 6 feet across....you can't even see across!!
I would go with 13 tables of 8...mix it up....a couple of tables will be only 7 but that's OK.
And it's nice to give people a number as they enter the room and have each table numbered, or named or something to let people know where they will sit.
I trust it's a sit down meal?
Linda C

The wait staff will also be prepared to all carry an equal number of plates for service. I too would try to do tables of 7 & 8.

Will you have enough single guests to accoomodate odd numbers at many tables>

Your option to rent 3 more 54 inch tables seems like the ideal solution.

As the meal progresses, the conversations go up in sound level, I would not worry too much that people can't speak to the ones across them, no matter what size.

So, if you have a table of 7 and two people don't show at the last minute, you will have a table of five?. End of the world? No. Last time that happened to us, I had planned the seating very carefully and the five that were at that table had a marvelous time, even with two goners (who never even called to cancel or apologize after the fact. Very poor form.)

If it were me, I would work hard to get it to sevens and eights. I would also work hard to break up the standard groupings and maybe that is how you can get your proper multiples. Rather than keeping all the friends together, I like to think about who might enjoy getting to know each other. At family events, we always get seated in what I call the "cousins ghetto" and it is largely why I don't look forward to those events.

At the party I mentioned above, we mixed family and friends and threw in a few ringers here and there (usually singles with great social skills) and I can't tell you how many people spoke to me afterward to tell me how much they enjoyed the people they sat with, most of whom were new to them.

It is more work for you, but I believe a well thought out and creative seating arrangement is central to being a good host and can make a big difference in your guests' experience of the event.