Welcome to Thursday Q+A!
“I have 9 bridesmaids, 9 groomsmen, 2 ushers, 2 flower girls and a ring bearer. How on earth do I arrange my head table”?
Today’s question has become a far more common one than in previous years. The size of most wedding parties is growing by leaps and bounds but the real dilemma comes when it is time to decide on the reception floorplan and the seating arrangements for a huge wedding party!
Never fear, there are a number of options available to you.
Firstly, we can cut down on your numbers immediately. Seat your ushers elsewhere and have your flower girls and ring bearer sit with their own families. While there are exceptions, it is most common to follow this protocol.
That leaves a mere 20 people to seat! Given that each guest should have 2 feet of space that mean you need to find 40 linear feet of space for your entire party.
This is what a table for 20 would look like and I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t recommend a 40′ long head table to anyone, let alone someone I cared about. So what DO you do?
Option #1 – Two Sided Traditional Head Table with a Twist
I’m going give you options along with the pros and cons to make you decision making a little easier.
There are couples who just want to see the traditional long table situated at the front of the room. The only way to accomplish this with such a large wedding party is by creating a 24′ long table (still huge!) with seating on both sides.
Pros: Couple still visible to the majority of guests. Wedding Party will have a more sociable experience. Takes up less linear space. Can be quite dramatic!
Cons: Some of the wedding party has their backs to guests. (Note: most guests only want to see the couple anyway!) It’s still a large table.
Option #2 – Tiered Head Table
First off I’m showing you a tiered table with all of the bridal party facing forward.
Pros: Bridal party facing forward. Can be quite dramatic. Couple is very visible to all guests placed on stage platform.
Cons: Still a huge table of about 41 feet. Requires a lot of space. Needs great natural backdrop or created one.
Option #3 – Tiered Table #2
Pros: Less space required. Couple highly visible. Dramatic presentation. Very sociable.
Cons: Bridal party has backs to guests. Still takes up 25′ of space.
Stayed tuned for Part II next week where we discuss additional options for your humongous bridal party!
If you had to choose, which setting would you select? I’d love to hear your feedback in the comment box below!