Wedding Planning Tips: Head Table Ideas | Saphire Event Group

When you begin wedding planning, there are many details to consider. From selecting the perfect venue to choosing between fondant or buttercream, you will certainly have some decisions to make. One of the toughest and perhaps most complicated part of planning is the wedding seating. Before you dive into the ultimate chess game of family and friends, you should first decide where you, the guests of honor, would like to sit.

There are so many amazing options for choosing the right head table. You can choose to sit with your bridal party, family or just enjoy a sweetheart table to yourselves. Keep reading to see which table option is best for you and your fiancé.

Traditional Head Table:

A traditional head table is characteristically a long table where the new couple sits alongside their bridal party. Depending on the size of the bridal party, it may or may not include their dates.  This table is usually the focal point of the room and is customarily situated at one end of the dance floor.

head table wedding planning bharat parmar
bharat parmar- 617 Weddings

Pro: You choose your bridal party members for a reason, to be by your side on your big day. What better people to have surround you for your first meal as a married couple?

Con: Sitting in a straight line makes it difficult to have a conversation with anyone other than those on either side of you. Also, consider the size of your wedding party. If you have a large bridal party, their dates might have to be seated elsewhere which might create an uncomfortable situation for those guests.

Sweetheart Table:

Perhaps the most popular choice among couples, a sweetheart table is a smaller scale table, either circular or crescent shaped, that is reserved just for the newly married couple.

sweetheart table newbury photography 1
newbury photography

Pro: In a ballroom filled with all of your loved ones, a separate sweetheart table allows you to take in a few quiet moments together and soak in your surroundings as you enjoy your carefully selected meal. Yes, we know how much time goes into selecting the menu options, we highly encourage you to take the time to sit and enjoy it!

Con: Normally centered in the room as the focal point, all eyes will be on you! If being the center of attention is not your thing, this might not be the best option for you.

 

VIP Table:

This table is a variation of both the traditional head table and the sweetheart table. This set up is for the bride, groom, best man and maid of honor or as we call them, the wedding VIPs. It allows the rest of your bridal party to sit among the guests without you having to being all on your own. This table may or may not include their dates, it’s up to you.

wedding planning head table bella wang photography
bella wang photography

 

Pro: The VIP Table offers the best of both worlds, company to chat with while maintaining an intimate feel.

Con: Depending on the size tables your venue offers, you might run into the options being either too large or too small for this arrangement.

 

Guest Table:

A third option would be to sit among your friends and family at a regular round or rectangular guest table. This seating arrangement not only enables you to join your wedding guests, it also helps create a more spacious floorplan which is especially helpful in a smaller ballroom.

head table wedding planning hoffer photography
hoffer photography

 

Pro: Don’t love the spotlight? This is the perfect choice to mix in during the dinner portion of the evening and enjoy conversing with your guests.

Con: The location of the table might make it difficult for some of the reception formalities such as the best man and maid of honor speeches.

Deciding on the bride and groom table can be as tough a decision as wedding planning itself. We hope some of the Pros and Cons listed above will help you choose the right head table for your big day.

By: Dana Bates

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