Kings table

From what you're describing, I think this is the same thing I'm doing, but I've always called it (and other people in my area) a "Head Table."

But to actually answer your question, I'm going to have 10 people of our 16 bridal party up top (which includes us), and the other 6 people in front of the risers we will be on. Plus ones for our single members and significant others of other members of the bridal party will all be at their own table. With how big my family and bridal party is, we do not have the space to include everyone's significant other at the head table, but will still be close by.

If you want your entire bridal party, plus dates, at your table, keep that in mind going into a venue. I had to split my head table into two sections because of space limitations of the room I picked out.

I didn’t do this (we went sweetheart), but I would definitely say all or nothing — if you’re seating the whole bridal party together certainly don’t exclude any of them from the table, I don’t know how anyone would feel any way other than bad about that

A friend of ours did a huge rectangular table in the center of the room with all the guest round tables around them it was a really neat way to seat their whole party together and keep them the center of attention.

As long as you seat people in your BP with their dates, a head or king's table is fine. I have been in lots of weddings where most members of the WP all have known each other a long time, and this works to have them at one or 2 tables next to them. But when most of WP do not know each other, head tables can be isolating. Your young sister might rather sit with immediate family or close in age others, school friends with other school friends, work friends with people they know, other family with family and family friends. You did not mention if your WP all know each other, or are strangers from different areas or times in your life. Guest seats, extra chairs with no place settings for people who drop by to talk are always nice, near bride and groom. And nicer venues will allow extra chairs at many tables where you sit less than the maximum number. You and other guests will appreciate it when visiting others at their tables later on, without taking the seats of people up dancing or getting drinks. . You are definitely being thoughtful to have people seated with their SO, and have some extra visitor chairs, however you do it.

View Quoted Comment A Kings table is when the bridal part and ones sit at one table. So they don’t have to split couples up.

A head table is just bridal party with bride and groom.

A sweetheart table is just the couple. So the bridal party couples and family can sit together.

View Quoted Comment Oh cool! Thanks for explaining! It was a new concept for sure! And I've heard of sweetheart tables thanks to WW and Four Weddings on TLC.

Unfortunately I don't have a good picture, but what you're looking to do is EXACTLY what we did, down to the number of people in the wedding party. We placed three 8ft banquet tables end-to-end along one wall of the venue. My husband and I sat in the two middle seats facing out toward the crowd, and kept the spot right in front of us blank. Our wedding party members all sat on the same side as us and their SOs/dates sat across from them facing the wall. Everybody fit at the table! I think the only reason you should consider having some not be at the table is if they also brought their kids or something. Otherwise they'd probably feel left out...

Our party expressed their gratitude at not being separated from their dates, and liked that having someone across from them made it less awkward as they weren't staring into the sea of faces. The layout also made conversation very easy. We would not go back and do it any other way!!!