Has anyone removed tables after dinner for dancing?

I'm not crazy about removing tables. I think everyone should have a seat throughout the evening where they can enjoy dinner, dessert later on, leave their purses, etc. I'm not much of a dancer though, so having a seat for the evening is important to me.

If you do choose to remove tables, let your guests know so that they can gather any belongings they may have there. Not sure how it would work either if people are sitting at the tables. Would they be made to get up and move?

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I have the same concerns. I am having a hard time picturing how it would work without making guests feeling like they are being kicked out of their spot. Someone told me that they have been to several weddings where this has been done and it's been fine, but I haven't. There is a very small amount of space we could use for dancing, it might be enough. Another option might be just shifting the tables closer together or against the walls.

How would you decide who has to lose their table/seats?

Well, I would nix my table first, as it will be the bridal party and hopefully they all plan on dancing. I am thinking perhaps we would only need to remove one table to make more room. I would also still have chairs so everyone had a place to sit down.

I’ve seen it done before. It’s not a big deal, especially if you’re moving 1-2 tables only. Just make sure you leave the chairs, so everybody has a place to sit or leave their stuff.
I’ve also been to a wedding where they only had 2 tables for older guests / family & cocktail tables without any chairs for everybody else, for the WHOLE night! That was a bit insane haha. But if you’re just removing 1-2 tables after dinner is done, you’re fine.

I have been to several weddings where they have done this and actually been at the tables that were moved. Typically the ones that are moved are the tables closest to the dance floor. I am normally never at my table after dinner (at bar, dancefloor, etc.) so there have been times I didn't notice this happened until I came back to a missing table and my heels relocated to the next closest table. It wasn't a big deal, but it does stink that all you have to keep your purse or jacket on a table that isn't "yours" with people you may not know. Avoid doing this if possible.

If you are doing open seating and you HAVE to do this, I would maybe put a little FYI sign on those tables....

"This table will be removed after the bride and groom's first dance to open the dance floor for everyone. If you would like a seat for the remainder of the evening, please select another table."

If you are assigning tables, perhaps talk to some family members ahead of time about whether they would mind losing a seat - Hey Cousin Jeff, since you and your wife will be at the bar and dancefloor all night will it be okay if I seat you at a table that will be removed? Removing/consolidating bridal party or reserved family tables might be your easiest bet.

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Thanks so much for commenting! I feel better knowing it's been done and wasn't a big deal.

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Thanks so much! This is great advice. The note on the table is a great idea. We are doing assigned seating, and I was only planning on moving tables for people that I know won't be bothered by it. But I think I will still use the note idea.

View Quoted Comment You’re welcome! Happy if it helps.
My logic would be to remove table where your younger, more relaxed guests sit & not the tables with older people, obviously. I would also add those chairs to the next closest table, because people don’t need as much space at the table after dinner, so you can fit more chairs. This way nobody has to feel “left out” 🙂

We removed the head table for dancing, and it wasn't a big deal at all.

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Sounds great! Thanks again

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You could either have a coordinator go and quietly tell guests when it is time to break the tables down or have the DJ announce that it is a great time to stretch legs, sign guest book, get a drink while the dance floor is converted.

One last idea - are your tables large enough to do 9 or 10 guests instead of 8 so you can eliminate tables? I am not normally for cramming people, but if your tables are on the larger side guests might prefer this option to losing a table entirely.

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They are 60" rounds, so 8 comfortably, 9 is probably the most I would put at one, although I used to work events and I have seen 10 put at tables that size. I have kids at three of the tables so I am definitely putting at least 9 people at those. If we end up having 55 or less I am going to try and cram everyone into six tables but any more than that and I definitely have to go with seven.

My FBIL did this for his wedding. It was distracting to me because at that time I'd never seen it done before and I felt like we were being rushed to eat. It all worked out though, and they literally took like half of the tables down to make room for dancing.

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I wasn't planning on taking any time away from dinner or rushing people, so I don't see that being a problem. Also, we would make sure the people whose tables would be taken away went to the buffet first to make sure that doesn't happen. I feel like announcing that "this would be a good time to stretch your legs, get a drink, etc" as someone suggested is the best way to handle this.

Yes and it wasn't distracting. The chairs were left so seats weren't missing and no one missed the tables since no one was still eating. Drinks were left on the remaining tables while people danced, socialized. Wasn't a big deal.

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Awesome, thanks so much for your input! I feel so much better about this now.