Wedding Reception Dilemma! How can we keep everyone happy?

I just read this feed on another site where someone was talking about how rude it was that they attended their niece's wedding reception and they were seated in a separate room from the banquet room. After reading everyone's comments I am very worried now. my wedding is coming up on October 4, and our reception is in a restaurant that is 4 rooms including a banquet room. the rooms are not closed off from eachother, but they wind around to the opposite side of the restaurant from the banquet room. Hindsight is 20/20 and I have never planned a wedding before, so I know now that this is not an ideal location for a guestlist of 400. It was only 200 when we booked the location and then -- in order not to offend anyone, we ended up having to double our guestlist. (I should state for the record that this location was NOT our #1 choice and that we actually didn't make the ultimate final decision but that's a long story for another time and what's done is done.) we are now just trying to make this situation functional and work it out the best we can. we are planning to assign tables to the guests because we want to make sure everyone gets to sit with the people they are most comfortable with. we are also planning to have a station buffet with different stations in the different rooms. we are not having a head table, and we planned on seating us (bride and groom) and our wedding party in the back area of the restaurant where we could be around most of the guests. we are also having a camera set up that will stream a live-feed of the banquet room to the back rooms of the restaurant so those who are seated back there can watch what is going on without having to leave their seats (of course, they are also more than welcome to come into the banquet room at any time -- there will be bistro tables and chairs for anyone who wants to go in there.) the DJ will also be piped through the entire restaurant so everyone can hear what is going on. we also plan to put an itinerary of the reception's events at every seat so everyone knows when and what is happening at any given time. we also plan to go table-to-table and greet everyone and thank them for coming. I really don't want people to consider us rude. does anyone have any suggestions or ideas that might make this work out better for everyone? if anyone has any ideas of what they think might work or how to make this as comfortable as possible for everyone involved, I'd love to hear them.

Wow...I think you have planned for every contingency...and have made the best of the upcoming situation...I think you have gone out-of-your-way to be as accommodating as possible, and you have thought well ahead....
For the record, I HATE "head" tables for the Bride and Groom...I know it's your day (I'm married myself) but I think it's kind of ostentatious.
You've really done all you can...now, site back and start to enjoy your upcoming nuptials...and congrats!

I think everything you are doing is fabulous and going above and beyond. Bless your heart! as long as you make sure to greet every guest, as you said you would, it will be fine! Don't worry about other posts, worry about your wedding style and how things work for YOU!

Even though my advice might not be the best or the most helpful... I just had to write you! my wedding date is also Oct. 4th and we share the same first name!! Crazy huh? Anyway, in an attempt to set you at ease... (or as least stressed as possible) take a deep breath. you are having a VERY large wedding. you don't have the option of a reception site that would accommodate every person comfortably, intimately, and realistically in one large room. It isn't gonna happen. It sounds like you are making the best of your location. Video feed, DJ piped in to each room, different buffets in each location... That is a LOT! Your guests will see that you have made an effort to allow each room an equally wonderful experience. they will see that in the location you have chosen, you have made every effort to appease your guests. It isn't rude to put "Uncle Bob" in another room with family and friends as long as that is the case (that there are other family members with him). Don't stress. You've worked very hard for this day and everything will go smoothly and wonderflully! Your guests will be ecstatic for you!

Breathe... and don't worry, it will work out fine.

What you're doing is completely understandable considering your guest list. you are taking all kinds of precautions to include everyone and to make the barrier of space and room seem like not such a big deal.

If I went to a wedding like this I wouldn't find the bride and groom rude at all.

Congratulations! You've done the best you could do out of a challenging situation and have gone completely out your way to be as accomodating as possible. Everything you've chosen to do will make the day wonderful and memorable, you are ensuring everyone is sat with people they like, and that everyone is properly entertained!

You should feel proud of yourself, it's a very big achievement to be able to keep 400 people happy!

The only thing I might add is to have your immediate family in the same room with you, as many as you can fit in. That way your friends won't feel excluded by order of preference, family won't complain for being brushed under the carpet, and since you're going around greeting everyone, nobody should have any complaints!

At my half-brother's wedding, he had a top table. my mum was sat on there, as was my eldest brother (the best man), and the bride's mother and father. I was one of the bridesmaids, as were 3 of the bride's sisters.

However what annoyed me is that the bride's sisters had a table all to themselves and their boyfriends, and I was sat on a separate table with my younger brother, my father and 2 people I'm still unclear as to who they are. I thought that was bad planning, but it didn't matter because it wasn't my day in the end!

Since you're not having a top table, that should eliminate the problem. Try and group people by relationship, so families should keep together as far as they can, and you should have a great day.

Congratulations and best wishes for your big day!

Well no matter what seating for 400 there will always be someone that's going to complain. if that's all they worry about then you did a good job! Its a minor thing and some people are just never happy! dont worry about it.

And good luck! Its my bday so I"ll be thinking fo your wedding that day!

I think all your ideas are great, except possibly one.

My only criticism is about the assigned tables & seats. I have found that at a buffet reception especially, people don't enjoy this. they would rather just choose their own seats. It's been my experience that they will change tables even if you do assign them! so, instead, I suggest what some others already eluded to: Reserve tables in the main room, near you and the action, for immediate family & wedding party. just use "reserved for family" signs.

Otherwise, you are doing great, don't stress! AND remember, there is always gonna be a complainer in every group; pay them no mind & do your best!

Your plan is perfect! if I attended I wouldn't feel the least bit offended. my cousins wedding was the same way. Taking the time to greet your guests and thank them for attending is good. if you watch the guests at a wedding how much time do they spend watching the bride and grooms every move? You're fine! Have a good day!

Wedding Reception Dilemma! How can we keep everyone happy?