Head Table Etiquette

This is why I'm having a sweetheart table. The bridal party will sit with their s/o at separate tables. If you REALLY want a head table, I like the idea of allowing their s/o to sit with them as well.

Have a sweetheart table and then have a table of wedding party members and their dates!

We're having the head table as us and our parents (or at least my mum and step dad, my dad will be sat elsewhere). With our combination there was just no other logistical option.

That's the reason I am having a sweetheart table. If you do still want the head table, I think your bridal party would appreciate you having their significant others at the table as well.

Our plan is to have the bridal party and their significant others at the head table. That way everyone can sit with their partners, and we don't have to feel like we have a spotlight on just the two of us at our table.

I would seat the SO's with the BP at the head table - you have a small enough BP to pull it off.

Personally I am not into sweetheart tables at weddings. You can have dinners alone for the rest of your marriage- you invited others so you could socialize with them! I went to a wedding where the bridal party was at one long table, and I was stuck at the table where all the party's SO's were, and it was miserable. One person was texting their man the whole night, and the other people kept leaving the table to find their partner, and everyone was unhappy with that setup, even if they never told the bride and groom. Alternately, was in a wedding where the bride, groom, and bridal party and their SOs were all at the same table- I thought it gave a community feeling and made the SOs feel included. If you really aren't into the idea of a huge table, I think your idea of having yourself and your MOH/best man at the table would be fine too- a little different, but its your wedding!

We have two tables reserved for bridal party and their significant others. We have decided to sit with our parents and FH's grandparents, we figured we really aren't going to be doing much sitting anyway!

@Briana -- we had the opposite of the problem you are describing. People felt much more comfortable talking to us at our sweetheart table than they would have at a long head table. it was great, and honestly having a few minutes alone with my H on our wedding was AWESOME. we socialized the whole rest of the night, but the sweetheart table really let us take it all in

In the end, it's really not that big of a deal, although people will argue otherwise. I went to a wedding last June with FH who was in the WP and he sat at the head table. My dinner date for the night was FH's BIL since sis was in the WP too. We survived. LOL

We are going to sit at a table with our MOH and Best Man and their spouses (we would have invited our parents but mine are divorced and I'm concerned about them being in the same room together, let alone at the same table).

I agree with mizangi, that its not that big of a deal. Dinner lasts maybe 30 mins to 45 mins. I don't think they will mind if you do a head table with no significant others. I was in a wedding and they had a head table with only the bridal party and my FH was at another table and he survived! We are doing a sweetheart table and then two tables of our bridal party with their significant others.

You have three options -

1. Head table - Sit only the WP with you, dates elsewhere. Be kind enough to sit the dates with people they know (other WP dates) or will get along with.

2. Sweetheart table - doing this frees the rest of the wedding party up to sit with their dates, and they don't even all have to sit together.

3. Kings table - its big, its bulky, but you can have everyone seated together - WP, their dates, and you.

Its your decision, but before doing option 1, I would talk to your WP. While its perfectly acceptable, I would still ask them if they are ok with it. I mean, they are doing a lot for you, do a little something for them.

We are doing a King's table in the centre of the room with us, wedding party + spouses, and siblings + spouses. It's gong to be beautiful with amazing florals and crystal candlesticks down the middle. The cake will be directly in front of the table. It's going to be a focal point of the room and will be great for socializing. We're happy that SO's will feel included. Can't wait.

Here are examples of King's tables. Significant others can be included because people are sitting along both sides rather than a typical head table where people only sit on one side. The bride and groom can sit at the head of the table.

They are also much more conducive to socializing and conversation than a typical head table.

I decided to go unconventional and have our bridal party to sit with their families and have myself, FH, son, and both our parents sit at the head table.

We're having a fun laid back atmosphere and just want everyone to be comfortable.

I've been a bridesmaid in another wedding and even though I didn't bring a date I still felt a little odd being at a head table.

I would either seat couples together at the head table with you, or seat couples together elsewhere and sit at a sweetheart table. On a day celebrating your love and your relationship, it's really hypocritical to split up other couples.

We did a traditional head table, with bridesmaids, bride, groom, and groomsmen. We sat all of the significant others of the bridal party at a table together near the headtable. It worked out just fine, and I had a couple of the significant others come up to me and tell me (unsolicited) that they had a lot of fun during dinner. They had all met each other at the rehearsal, but they talked a lot more during dinner at the wedding and got to know each other. At the end of the day, do whatever works best for you.

We are doing a sweetheart table because even though most of the bridesmaids are married to groomsmen they have kids that they need to sit with. They are already having to have someone sit with the kids during the ceremony I could not ask them to do this for the reception.

I think the idea of a head table with just the wedding party is fine.

the last time my groom was in a wedding a ring was already exchanged between us and we were there together.

he assumed that I would be seated at the head table with him, but I then explained to him that I probably wouldn't be since I wasn't in the wedding party.

this was no fault of the couples, my groom just didn't understand that often that's how it works. my groom had a lot of responsibilities as the best man so I didn't see him until for most of the evening as it turned out. he was worried about me not having fun since I didn't know anyone all that well.

couple sat me at a table with relatives we rode in with. seemed like the logical choice.

in truth, I had just sat in a truck with them for about 12 hours and was dying to get away from them. So me and my grooms young step brother(about 12) spent the evening dancing once we were done eating. and he was done sneaking the Godiva chocolate favors from unattended seats it was all fine, I had a great time.

one of those times when I personally wish there had been no seating chart since if I wanted to sit I had to go back to the table and listed to said relatives complain about their ex spouses who were at wedding. lol

Thanks all! You've given me much to think about. I'm going to talk to my wedding party and see what they would prefer.

Personally I think having SO at the head table would be too much. I'd rather do just the wedding party, or just us + MOH & Best Man, or just us. I'll see what works best for my wedding party.