Who sits at the head table?

Who ever you want it to be. I've been to weddings where it's the bride and groom and bridal party, some have been just the bride and groom, at my wedding it was my husband and I and our immediate families (moms, dads, siblings). The people who are most important to you. Think of it as an honor. Who do you want to honor by seating at the head table?

Generally, a "head table" seats the couple and the BP, not their dates which is why they are becoming less popular. A kings table, seats the couple, the BP and their dates. But honestly, you can have whoever you want sitting at your table. Although, I do recommend that wherever you seat you BP, you keep them with their dates.

Alyson F. Personally I want my dad to sit there, but my step mom's argument to him was he's gonna want to walk around and be with his friends. My dad made some comment "well I'm paying for it so I thought I should be able to sit there" it made me feel bad for him. If we're adding our groomsmen and some bridesmaid's dates I definitely feel my dad should be up there too.

@BeachDreams yes I definitely want to keep them with their dates because the dates who are coming literally don't know anyone else and I don't want them to uncomfortable.

Maybe instead of a head table, have a sweetheart table and allow the bridal party to sit with there dates.

We are doing a sweet hearts table (just me and FH) then 3 reserved tables for parents, BP, and BP dates.

We are doing a family table for lack of better description. Fh, myself and our 2 boys. BP will sitting with other guests. Both sets of parents and Godparents will be at the same table

A sweetheart table really is the way to go. That way, no hard feelings about who is or is not at the head table.

FH and I and our two daughters for our "head table".

So what exactly is a sweet heart table?

Sweetheart table is just the new husband and wife.

@Lopotter I like you. You're concerned about your father and about the dates of your bridal party. Good for you! You'd be surprised how many brides don't.

Anyway, to answer your question, you can have whoever you want, but a traditional head table was bride, groom, and bridal party without dates, which is concerned by some of us to be very rude. A king's table is bride groom, bridal party and their dates. Sweetheart table is just bride and groom. What some do is have the bride and groom sit with their families, which it sounds like is what you want. I would go with that option in your case.

I beg you to allow SO's to sit with the groomsmen/bridesmaids!

It's awkward enough not knowing anyone at a wedding and being separated from them, I couldn't imagine not being able to sit and eat with them after the ceremony, too.

I went to a wedding the head table was the couple the maid of honor her kid n husband n brides parents

The couple and bridal party (sans date)

If we had gone with the formal reception, I would have done the Sweet-Family table. It would have been my DH and I, and my three kids, along with my eldest's bf. This way my sister could sit with her family. My eldest daughter (20) was my MOH, and my two BMs were my sister and my other daughter (12).

I haven't seen a table beyond the couple in years. And this is why....separating couples, including dates you may not even know.

I'm all for the bridal party sitting among the rest of their guests and dates. I didn't realize head tables with the whole bridal party was still a thing.

We're doing sweethearts table. I can't stand the idea of people not sitting with their dates and with people they don't know.

Honestly, FH was best man is a wedding last year and they had the dates sit with the BP at the head table. I found it super awkward to be at the front and center of the reception when I wasnt in the bridal party.

As a member of the bridal party, I would prefer to sit at a normal table with my date. I am very pro-sweetheart table.

Maybe you can do a modified sweetheart table with you and your parents.