Creative Head Table Ideas

My friend had a large BP and she did 2 levels. It looked better than one really long table

I’ve seen a setup like this also. It incorporates a sweetheart table and the BP

Alright so I was in this same situation! I thought over and over that I HAD to go with the traditional table. My mom hated the idea of a sweetheart table (so do I) and she hated the idea of dates being included (which I wanted).

After much debate I finally decided that we were going to do two big kings tables and then a traditional head table up on risers for bride, groom, BM x 2, MOH, and GOH. This way we still had the traditional part, let the bridal party have a special big table with dates, and we weren't alone at our own sweetheart table.

For reference we have a very very large bridal party which is how this all came about to begin with. Here is a pic of the layout. Ignore the fact people are already placed in seats. We were messing around with how we wanted them to sit the other day even though the wedding isn't for a long time hahah If you have enough you could probably do something similar.

I didn't want to do the two levels because I felt like the bride and groom got lost in the back. Could just be the venues I have witnessed this in though. Also, I really wanted my bridal party to be comfortable letting them all sit together with dates.

Head Tables

* The middle one is on risers. The ones on each side are extra wide tables. The two circles are our parent's tables. I cut the rest of the room out of the picture obviously but they are all round as well.

Personally, I don't really think there isn't any reason for your bridal party to be on display. Having seen it done both ways, it's awkward for the party, especially if their not sitting with their SO's, so if you haven't counted them, it'll be even larger.

Are your parents paying for the wedding, or contributing? Either way, I'd let them know that you can still have the bridal party sit together, just at a normal table.

ETA: Adding on, you can still have a head table, if you want one, maybe just have your MOH/BM and their SO's sitting with you.

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Thank you for the visual, this is really helpful and seems like a nice compromise. I really would like to include SO's as well !

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Yes, they are paying for the reception which is why they feel it should be their way. They claim that if you can't see the bridal party, you might as well not come to the wedding.... per feedback from all their other 50+ aged friends.

Well, my mother and aunts are all in their 40s and 50s and they loved the idea of a sweetheart table. They said no one cares about seeing the wedding party, only the bride and groom. Your mom just wants to get her way and will say whatever she can think of to do so.

You really need to include the dates/spouses of the wedding party at the table.

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HAHAHAHA thats crazy. No one cares about the bridal party, not one bit! Or maybe that a 20/30 something mentality. I've come to see my dear friends, the bride and groom, and we are just talking about an hour, and after that everyone is up and moving about. What ever you decide to do PLEASE have their dates with them, it is imperative.

This summer I was in a wedding and sat on stage in a U shape facing the crowd. My fiancé was in the rear of the room, seated on a balcony with all of my friends. It was awful, did we live? Yes, but it wasn't fun, even though it was just an hour or so.

, understood, but it may be a good compromise if you just do your MOH/BM then? Then have the bridal party table close by, so they're all still there, but a little more comfortable. At the end of the day, even though they're paying for the reception, your and your FH's opinion should still be final say. Wishing you luck OP, I hope it works out for you.

Just do a sweetheart. That sounds awful to have 16 people at a table , esp if it is without their dates.

I’m in the same boat! We are doing one long table and letting our BP dates sit across from them so then FH and I are not blocked and everyone can see us, but our BP also gets to sit with their dates! It’s a bit crazy but oh well!

View Quoted Comment Where did you make this?? I want to play around haha but I have the same issue - huge bridal party!

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I don't understand what the parents contributing has to do with how you and your bridal party sit at the reception? My parents are paying for a good chunk of our wedding but we are deciding how we are sitting with the bridal party.

We plan to do a sweetheart table and possibly have the bridal party at tables closest to us. We aren't entirely sure just yet.

We did a table with my husband and both sets of parents we did the GM and their guests at a table next to ours (GM facing the rest of the wedding guests) and BM on the other side same thing BM facing rest of the guests. The wedding party tables were all farm tables and the rest of the guest tables were round. I thought it worked out nicely and it insured we got to spend a little time with our parents (mine live on the other side of the country)

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It's the phrase, no pay no say, but if people pay for something, it is only right to consider their wishes as well. I'm of the mind that they get a say, but not final say. It's up to OP to decide what she and her FH are okay with though,

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But usually the say is in terms of things like guests invited, food served, etc. Not how you and your bridal party sit...

I have a bridal party off 22 plus us 2 is 24 so we are doing 2 tier

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I agree, not everyone sees it that way though... I have definitely seen parents take complete control and not even let the Bride and Groom decide on decor or anything, but those are more extreme cases.

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That is insane! At that point, if your parents are that controlling, I'd find a way to do it on my own. No point in stressing over things that should not be stressed over.

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That makes no sense (I know it's not you...). I'm 57 (so I'm probably older than your parents) and even the weddings I was in the bridal party for in the 80s didn't do that. That set-up is very outdated. I also think it's inconsiderate not to sit people with their significant others. It also doesn't give your bridal party a chance to socialize with others during dinner as they can really only talk with the people sitting next to them. I know they are paying for the reception but this is something I might push back on.