AIBU to use name cards?

[Hadsuchahardday]

Have an upcoming celebration and have invited friends to a restaurant from friendship/work groups. No-one in the different groups know each other (about 20 people in total across the groups). I am thinking of writing place name cards and so dictating where people sit. This is not to mix people up but quite the opposite and to make sure people are sat by others they know. I have 2 people who won’t know anyone except me so was thinking of putting them together. I know from personal experience how awkward it is turning up to a meal and having to sit next to people I don’t know no where near the host and then not having a good time. So, is this a bit old fashioned? Would you feel annoyed if you went to a meal and had to sit in a designated place?
AIBU to use place cards?

I think that would be a good idea

I think it's silly. These are adults we're talking about. They can manage to find a seat and socialise with those around them.

You could do a funny thing with them to open conversation, like Fabulous Fanny From Work, Or Dubious Dave from the gym. Might break the ice a bit too.

Good idea. In theory adults can sort themselves out, but in practice there's a scramble to be seated and one of the singletons can easily find themselves on the end of the table with the 3 people nearest deep in conversation with each other and not including them.

Sounds like a sensible idea.

Aqua Some adults would hate being stuck amidst people they don’t know, particularly if those people know each other well. And more so if people they do know are just up the table. Lovely that you would have the confidence to do so, but not everybody would have.

Good idea. Sit with people they know. Then maybe shift everyone round after the main course so they can talk to someone different.

Depends on the personalities of the individuals and groups. Particularly the two who know nobody else, are they naturally sociable? If not careful seating can be really beneficial. This would be my worst nightmare as I'm not naturally sociable and suffer terribly with anxiety (youd struggle to get me through the door in fairness) so some social planning with someone who would naturally be more outgoing and 'make the first move' is the difference between a nice evening and hell on earth.

I much prefer a name card and being with someone I know. I always feel relieved when I see them out on the table.

Good idea. I turned up at my friends' birthday do and my friends were at one end of the table. Only the people I didn't know had then filled up from that end so I ended up stuck at the other end. Cards would avoid it without the awkwardness. I like the changing places idea too, we did it at big family Christmas lunch this year.

Thanks everyone. I feel reassured to use them.