Sweetheart vs. Head Table vs. King's Table

I'm in a similar boat. FH and I hate the idea of a sweetheart table, know that many people think of a head table as rude, and have too big of a bridal party for a king's table. To us, there doesn't seem to be a good option. We will likely end up going with a head table.

Just a few days ago there was a pretty length thread on this. Check that out for more input! https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/not-allowing-dates-at-the-head-table/42838e32eea3db8e.html?page=1

Ugh! I understand your dilemma. My mother like DEMANDED that we have a head table, but I hated the idea of making my guests sit without their dates. So we were going to go for the sweetheart table, but then decided to go for the King's table. I have a large bridal party too, so it took some creativity to figure it out. My caterers finally nailed it. I'm not sure how your venue setup is, but for ours we are placing eight rectangular tables together to create two king tables. They will fit 16 people on each table. Not all of our bridal party will have dates, but most do. So we will need to figure out how to fill the table for the 2 or 3 in the party who will not bring dates. Here is a photo of the design. I like it because it breaks up the room from just rounds all over the place. I think it's pretty aesthetically pleasing and draws the eye to the center of the room!

I've seen weddings where B&G sit at round table with family or wedding party and other members of wedding party were seated nearby or with mutual friends. I think it worked out fine.

We did a sweetheart table and I am so glad we did that. Dinner time was beautiful, we were able to talk and enjoy the view at least for 5mins.

@AnnaMaria thats a good idea! I like that set up, I have also seen King's Tables set up in a V shape but I like yours better. I'll have to check with our venue to see what kind of tables they have to work with. I know the guest tables are circular, maybe they might have some rectangular ones too!

@FMP that sounds nice too! It silly to even worry about the where we are sitting anyways because like you said it will only be for 5 minutes anyways!

We hated sweetheart as well. We didn't want a head or kings even though it wouldn't be big, because not everyone had dates, either. Our venue was tables of 8 and we had our table of 8 with my best man and his wife, DH'S best man and his girlfriend, our close friend who served as officiant and her boyfriend. We then dispersed the other 4 wedding party members and their dates throughout the room with people they'd enjoy sitting with... including their dates.

The idea you mentioned about a table for you, FH, BM plus date, and MOH plus date seems like a good option. I've even seen this done where the bride and groom just sat at one of the round tables with the same people you mentioned as well as other family (siblings of the bride and groom plus their dates). So if you are doing 10-person round tables, maybe add parents/siblings if possible to get to 10.

@Lauren73016 Thats a good idea too!! My brother is actually supposed to be in the wedding, he is a GM but its looking like he wont be back for the wedding