Head Table Dilemma

We have a similar problem. Its mostly our kids in the WP and then a BM and MOH who is my sister. It would only be 2 other SO i need to sit up with us but that would make it 13 people.

I think this is totally acceptable. I’m a bridesmaid in a wedding this summer where the head table will be like this. If you aren’t having a professional photographer, I see no issue with it. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

I once saw a wedding party so big they had two tiers of head table. Like you know how the head tables are higher up than the rest of the guests, they had another level of tables behind that to accommodate everyone. Does that make sense, I don’t feel like I described it well. But that’s very dependent on venue of course. Or you could have the excess people at long tables set in front of you on the regular floor instead. So there’s just two lines/levels of head tables.

Like this is what I was trying to explain lol

Thanks for the input, everyone. I think we'll talk to the wedding party and see if they have a preference. If they want to be up by us we'll probably just keep the set up I was thinking of, since it will be most conducive to conversation. Otherwise it will be a sweetheart table!

I think We’re going to do something similar to what you are describing with a Kings table.(we’ll have 32 people) FH don’t want to be ‘on display’ at a sweetheart table and would rather sit with our friends for a few minutes. We’re also considering eating dinner alone for 15 minutes in another room. My friend did that and she said it was such a great memory of the day to have a few minutes alone.

On a side note - I dont understand the argument that long tables are less fun than round tables. I find long and round tables both hard to see and hear people on the other side and usually leave the table as soon as possible to mingle and dance.

We are doing a long table for bride + groom + wedding party (6 BM and 6 GM). The plus ones of the bridal party will be at a round table right next to us. It’s just for dinner and this is how many weddings are. The head table would be way too big if it was bridal party + plus ones. I seem to be going against the common sentiment of most people here as I’m “splitting up” SOs.

Hi! We did the theee banquet tables and did not do chairs on the other side in front of us

This is just my opinion but head tables for the wedding party is so 1980s.

Keep it simple. Either have a sweetheart table for you and SO, or just sit with your closest family.

Im doing a sweetheart table and seating wedding party with their closest family/friends.

View Quoted Comment This seems like a neat idea but i can foresee someone tripping and causing a domino effect on the arrangement

View Quoted Comment Ha! That’d be a memorable dinner lol!!!

Unless your having dinner catered to each person I would worry about it. A wedding I was a MOH in had just the bridal party and SOs sat elsewhere. But there was never a time where everyone sat down all together so some of the party ate up front and some ate with the guest and it wasn’t a big deal at all. I hope that helps!

View Quoted Comment Haha true true!!!

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This is exactly what I was picturing! Thank you for the visual!

Haha, that's so funny! We have the same issue! 5 on my side, 6 on his, and some SOs! We definitely want to seat everyone together and do not want a sweetheart table. We are doing the exact same setting with long farm house tables (see attached picture). At first I didn't like that both sides weren't equal but at the end of the day everyone will be sitting next to people they love (who cares if some aren't facing the crowd).

(The tables will be pushed together w/ no gaps) but this is the only thing I could come up with so if you have something better please share!!

Leah & Dan's Head Table

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YUP this is almost exactly what my seating arrangement looks like (except I did it in MS Paint 😂). Only difference is the number of SOs balanced things out so both sides are actually equal, by pure luck. I think you're right that it doesn't need to be balanced though--as long as they're by the right people.

I have been having the same problem. We have 6 groomsmen and 6 bridesmaids and we want everyone’s significant other to sit with them. I have been to weddings where I am in the wedding and I can’t sit with my SO and it is not fun. We didn’t want a huge head table because that would take up most of the guest at our weddings. We have about a 100 people coming and if we did a head table with SO it would look ridiculous. But we didn’t want to just sit just us at a sweetheart table. So we will be doing us, MOH and SO and BM and his SO. I think it is the best of both worlds! For the most part you won’t even be sitting down! So no need to worry what ever you decide will work out just great!

This is exactly what we are doing. The 6 of us (moh, man of honor, bride, groom, two best men) on risers facing outward. Then the other 30 around two kings tables on either side of us. I think they will feel more comfortable not being on display. Plus we will have rounds for the rest of the tables so they will still stand out. We got full sequins table cloths and slightly different centerpieces. I think your idea is great!

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Perfect idea!!! It puts focus on the bride and groom yet allows them to have the whole party and SO with them. A specialty table cloth could be put just at the couple's place and spill over the front. For some people like me, a sweetheart table sounds awkward, cringey and screams...LOOK AT ME!!! For other personality types, it is perfect.

View Quoted Comment I've seen a few people say they have uneven wedding party. I'm obsessive compulsive and that would bother me to have uneven people. Why did you guys choose to do it that way?