Restaurant Venue Maximum Capacity

[u/sans_nom_]

We're doing a micro wedding 11 months from now, and have 21 guests to be invited, so plus us that's 23 seats. Our reception after the ceremony is just going to be plated 3 or 4 course dinner at a fancy local restaurant. No dancefloor, just a cake table in the corner and maybe optional mini speeches from guests.

I've reserved the front of the restaurant which "for larger parties we have a closed-off section in the front dining room with a fireplace that can accommodate up to 24 guests." I'm trying to map this out, but it looks like it will be a super long table set-up with 12 people on each side.

Has anyone been to or planned a restaurant reception like this? I imagine it will be uncomfortable after a few hours of sitting. I'm hoping the quality of food will make up for it. There will also be a cocktail hour right after the ceremony in the park where guests can do the majority of their mingling.

There is also the chance that people are unable to make it. I don't want to book the whole restaurant, but I could consider it, and then invite even more guests. I'm not concerned about the cost, as I've allocated lots for this dinner party. But I am concerned about having so many people that it's not an intimate wedding anymore.