Sweetheart, head, or king’s table…who knew there were so many options for wedding dinner seating?! Well, when it comes to the newlyweds, THERE ARE…and each one of them has their own pros and cons. Before you choose between a sweetheart, head, or king’s table, make sure you know the difference. This breakdown will make selecting the perfect scenario for your reception a whole lot easier.
Sweetheart Table
Table for two, please! This scenario involves a private table for the married couple only. Personally, this is our favorite option. Surprisingly, you may not get to spend much of your wedding day with your new spouse. Especially at the reception, you will feel like you are being pulled in a million different directions – so many people to talk to, so many pictures to take, so many moves to bust on the dance floor. A sweetheart table allows you to set aside some private time with your better half, even if that time is only spent sharing a meal. You can chat about the day, hold hands under the table, and feel as if you’re the only two people in the room, even if for only a short time.
Some cons? Guests may want to come and talk to you but might feel intimidated or like they are interrupting. If you see this, wave them over to let them know it’s A-OK. Also, if alone time with your partner during dinner isn’t a priority, you could feel disconnected from the rest of your party.
Head Table
What you’re probably used to seeing at a wedding, a head table includes the newlyweds, plus their entire wedding party. Bridesmaids on the left, groomsmen on the right, or seating by couple, this scenario allows all of your wedding party members to feel just a little bit special. You can celebrate with your besties close by and it makes toasting pretty easy.
There is one down side to this option though…significant others. The plus-ones of wedding party members are left to sit with the rest of the wedding guests. This can be fine if they know a lot of people, but it could be awkward for someone who is fairly new to your circle of friends. That’s where a king’s table can help.
King’s Table
Take the newlyweds, add their wedding party, and throw in all of their dates too. Voila! You’ve got yourself a king’s table. It allows your wedding party to keep those dates close by and it saves those plus-ones from feeling awkward at a table with folks they barely know. You could even throw in or swap out wedding party members for parents or close family members. Either way, you’re surrounded by your nearest and dearest. Conversations are easy since there are so many people to talk to.
One con to a king’s table is sheer size. It will take multiple tables to make one very large table. There may not be space in your venue to accommodate this. And, of course, there is the whole intimacy thing. Sitting with this number of people won’t make for a very romantic dinner with your new spouse. You just need to decide what is most important to you!
We did a sweetheart table for the two of us. We had two rounds of 8 on either side for our bridal party and their dates. The combination worked really well for us and everyone loved it!
That’s great, Barbara! I didn’t think too many brides knew what a king’s table was but I’m so glad to hear that some have used (and loved) it!
The wedding I shot with Cara this weekend had the bride, groom and all of their family members at one table. Mom, dad, siblings and grandparents. That was the first time I had ever seen that.
ahhhh super cool! i haven’t heard of that either but i love it!