Cocktail reception/head table?

Do a sweetheart table! We did and loved it. Plus, our bridal party was able to sit at tables with their friends and families and they really enjoyed being able to do so.

Hey there! Welcome to the WeddingWire Community! A sweetheart table, where you and your future spouse sit together, is a great alternative to the traditional head table. It allows you the chance to have a special ounce of intimacy, which is perfect for your special day! I would consider doing it since you aren't too fond of head tables!

We are doing long tables for our reception, I don't like the sweetheart tables, so we have decided to include ourselves in a very long head table (both sides seated) with bridal party & their SO's -minus FSIL who will sit with the parents with her H and her daughter & my brother who will sit with my family and his children.

Thank you all for the ideas! They are a big help! Something so simple shouldn't be so perplexing! :-)

If its a cocktail reception - are you even assigning tables? I thought the whole point was to be mixing and mingling with guests and not sitting at seats?

Will other guests have assigned seats? If not, I don't think anyone needs them even the wedding party.

We are doing the same type of cocktail reception and will not have assigned seating for anyone. Since, it is cocktail seating, the place I rented from typically doesn't provide a seat for everyone, but a mix of high and low tables, etc. I did request that everyone be provided a seat though.

We had thought about setting up lounge seating around the dance floor for the wedding party for the beginning of the reception for speeches and what-not.... but no, we are not planning on assigning seating to everyone else attending.

Let me first say... NEW ORLEANS!!!!

Since it's more of a cocktail style reception how about a mix of cocktail tables and seating areas? Here are a few lounge examples (might not be your style but you can find a rental place with cool furniture):

That's actually the Seance Room at Muriel's Jackson Square...in New Orleans! Never been there. Just Googled images for you. Wow, their appetizers look divine and what a cool place. Did you book your venue already????

Daaang, The House of Blues in New Orleans has some very moody red rooms too.