Venue flexibility with social distancing?

I would tell your venue how many households you need to seat and see what their suggestions are.

I have been to a couple of well done ones now. And the key seems to be seating small groupings at small rectangular or square tables. Not if rounds. So you do not waste all the space between people who can get closer. But instead have a few at a small table, facing a few 10-12 feet away. No one with backs turned. People can talk table to table. And background music low or off when people are talking. I was bringing things ( not staying) to a friend's rehearsal dinner where it was apparent the place had not thought things through. 2 on one side of a banquet table, 1 on the other side. Tables 14-16 feet apart for staff walking through to have distance. You could see the mess. They delayed opening up about half an hour. And changed out their set up to small tables from storage, banished big ones. So much control that way. Extra space for staff walking with orders not locked up in the center of pods. Also, the two weddings talked with the caterer. Renegotiated meal. So few being served, they went to limited menu, 8- 10 choices within pro e range, like regular restaurant. No need to limit to 2-3 choices, as for a huge number of things at once. One we got limited menus in the mail, to call in our orders. The other, with ceremony on the lawn of club, reception on patio, everyone went to a little lobby table to check in and do their meal ordering , then wash up, before the ceremony. 90 minutes, all with meals of our choosing. Nicer than any choice mass produced.

I fit 15 people under a 20x20 tent. What does the venue space look like? We did rectangular tables to help

I think it's completely reasonable to ask for a tent. I would just ask directly at first, and only bring up the governor's order if they're hesitating.

View Quoted Comment We have three 8' x 4' farmhouse tables rented already. Here are the tables (minus the giant flower centerpieces- the tables are supposed to be placed in a U shape), the venue room, and then the courtyard..

According to our venue's website, our reserved room can seat up to 80 people, and hold up to 150 (with many standing, I'm assuming), but those are pre-covid numbers.