Wedding Blog
For as long as I’ve been thinking about them, I’ve wanted long instead of round tables. I like them. I think they’re different, and I like the family style eating associated with them. But now I’m unsure. Our caterer said she thinks our guests’ knees will be hitting each other with the long tables. I don’t want that… but then what if she’s wrong? I’ve never been to a wedding with long tables, but I’ve seen plenty of pictures of ones that have. I also have never heard anyone complain of about this problem.
This would be my ideal look. But we can’t afford to purchase 160 different types of chairs, nor do we have the room for them. I like the simplicity and overall look of these tables and chairs though.
This next table setup is so glamorous. I love how there are regular chairs on one side and ottomans on the other. If we have long tables, we’ll be going with a U-shaped layout such as this.
And a mix between the two: pure outdoor elegance
Here are some pictures of a wedding at our reception location with round tables. 
I think the round tables look good, but the long tables are still my first choice.
Have any of you been to a wedding with long tables? Did your knees hit the stranger’s across from you? And which of the two do you all prefer?
Sources from top to bottom: Absolutely Beautiful Things via Domino Magazine, Martha Stewart, The Bride’s Cafe, and last three courtesy of Alpenhorn Bed & Breakfast
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Share this post: Long vs. Round Tables
I wanted long tables too! But people still seem to be slow to the long table phenom…our venue comes with round table for free, and we will have to rent long ones…and we are worried that the caterers (who bring linens) might not have the right size linens for long tables…so I think we are going for round tops. Although I am obviously still stuck on the long tables, because all of the centerpieces I like are much more suited for a long table!
Long tables are different, and give it an old Italian-style dining feel, in my opinion. But, I can’t decide which I prefer, so we’re having both!
Mr. MagPie and I will be sitting at a square sweetheart table (set like a diamond so no guests see either of our backs), our parents will host round tables, our bridal party (with their guests and some other close friends) will dine at long tables (two sets of two six foot tables — so we don’t have to pay for custom-made linens!), and our remaining guests will eat a smaller six- or eight-person rounds. Phew!
To answer your question, no, I don’t anticipate anyone’s legs knocking beneath the table. None of our friends are Yao Ming tall!
Well, yes not only your knees hit with the other also your shoulders(@dinner time), to me it is really uncomfortable, I rather the round ones besides it looks really nice at you venue…
OMG! That is ridiculous! I have been to a wedding with long tables and no one hit each others knees… Definitely go with long tables! Please! Do it for me… I can’t have them because of the shape of my venue and nothing saddens me more. They look soooo much better.
I personally haven’t been to a wedding with long tables either but I also feel strongly about using them over the rounds! I had to convince my reception venue coordinator that I wanted the long…she had never done a wedding without rounds and just couldn’t envision it looking good, even though I think the longs will look much better in their space than the rounds ever could! Thankfully I was able to win her over to my side 
I think the knee problem would be dependent on how wide your tables are. Banquets (which is what we’re using) are typically 8′ long, 30″ across. I’ve sat at these sized tables at non wedding functions before with no issue. But I do know there are long tables at some rental companies that are narrower. Just make sure about the width of your tables and I’m pretty sure there will be no issues!
We had long tables and while I can’t speak for the other guests’ knees, mine were not bumped by anyone. I hadn’t actually given much thought to the table layout until the event coordinator at the restaurant suggested long tables. It turned out gorgeous and really gave it a family style feel. Highly recommended! (And yes, I will post photos soon ;))
I really wanted long tables as well but they would have been an additional cost. I didn’t want a head table but considered having one if we could have seating on both sides “old Italian-style dining feel”, as MagPie518 mentioned. I thought it would be nice to interact with our family, bridal party and their dates but was vetoed by DH. We ended up with all round tables and no head table.
I think round (or square) tables are more conducive to conversation than long, rectangular ones - you are able to talk to everyone at your table, rather than the ones immediately around you.
Then again, I’m sure I’d be going with square or rectangular if they were offered by my venue. But like slwseminole, it’s too much of a hassle to rent long ones and deal with the linens…
At my wedding we had rectangular tables, the kind you would stack together to make them long if you wish. Dimensions were 72″ long and 36″ wide. We did not have a problem with anybody “knocking knees”, but space on the table got a smidget cramped. Mostly because we had dinner sized place settings, water glasses, carafes, the centerpiece, and two trays of h’ors doeuvres. So, if you’re sticking with place settings and centerpieces, you should be fine.
I’ve been to a wedding with long tables and our knees never touched. It’s great to create a family feel where everyone is next to each other. I love the feel it gives. Not to mention it takes less room and it’s easier to place a lot of people per table and create conversation opportunities.
I thought about it for ours, but I think there are more rounds tables than long rectangle ones, and the rectangle ones would be more practical to set up the buffet.
I agree with Brooke86! We’re using 36″ wide long tables and we’re not worried at knees knocking at all.
Someone once pointed out to me that long tables are better for conversation since you can talk to the people across from you as well as the ones next to you. With round tables, it’s more difficult to talk to the people on the other side of the table so conversation options are more limited.
i went to two weddings with long tables and we didn’t have any problem hitting knees with the person across. then again, we were all friends who grabbed one table so it wouldn’t have mattered much if we were all up in each other’s spaces, so to speak. if your heart longs for long tables then go for it.
we still managed to carry a great conversation over dinner and no one felt left out. we were also the rowdy tables so that probably helped.
As a guest, I prefer the long tables to the round tables. Why? I don’t like trying to find my seat at a long table, having to climb over people (if there’s a narrow aisle) and just generally the table feels more cramped (no open space in the middle for misc things like bread, etc).
As a former-bride-in-the-planning, I would definitely go with the long tables for the “look” ~ although we did round because that was our only option.
I’ve been to quite a few weddings in my lifetime and only one of them had round tables. I don’t ever remember hitting anyone else’s knees.
What about doing a mix. I went to a wedding where the head table was long (but people sat on both sides) and then there were round tables surrounding it. It was a fun set-up!
we had long tables at our wedding last month and it was great! much more conducive to conversation, and centerpieces can be smaller and easier.
I agree that it depends on the width of your tables. Our RD was at a restaurant that had long tables - as a lot of restaurants do - and there was no problem (for me, anyway. DH is 6′6″ and will always sit at the end at a long table or he doesn’t have room for his legs.)
We had a long table for our head table at the wedding, and it was much narrower than the long tables in the restaurant had been. Luckily the way they set it up we sat on only one side of it - or I don’t think it would have worked at all - from the knee-knocking perspective, as well as having enough room for the table settings and the decorations.
We are using 8′ x 40″ tables. Our wedding venue is outdoors, in a grove of trees, and looks a lot like yours. Our caterer was pushing us to do tables of varying shapes and heights so it would be “random like nature.” He’s probably right; it would probably look fantastic. But I wanted long tables, and luckily my coordinator is obsessed with them too. I was shocked when the coordinator and rental person asked me how wide I wanted them - I thought there was just one size - but there were SOOOO many options. Like 5 different options. I could do the really narrow ones, but with two tables so it actually is extra wide (then you can’t talk across the table as easily), or the 40 or the 36… I told them they were giving me too many options. I told them that I wanted people to be able to talk across the table, and I showed them what I wanted for our centerpieces and then told them to figure it out - and they went with the 40″. I am so visually-spatially challenged. Things we did to make guests more comfortable - only 2 glasses per place setting (water and wine). We chose a wine glass that can be for red or white. Waiters will be walking around with flutes of champagne in case people want some - but we were told 50% of guests don’t drink the champagne - so why clutter the place setting with an unused glass. And finally (I’m bad at writing short comments) - at round tables, I’m usually only able to talk to the two people next to me… I’m hoping with the long tables I can talk to 5 (two next to me and three across). Oh - I’m doing very low centerpieces (but lots of them) for this reason. I think it is time to stop writing!! sorry for the long post.
I love the idea of long tables! I have always thought the family style was a great way to interact compared to the round tables. Go with the long ones!!
i wouldn’t be worried about knocking knees, but I WOULD be worried about your guests’ conversations.. the reason why round tables have been used for so long is not only that venues stock them BUT that round tables promote conversation throughout the entire table. at a rectangular table you can only really speak to the 2 or 3 people in your vicinity, know what i mean? anyway, just something to think about
i second the long tables, they really do look chic and modern with the right table setting. Plus, I think it’s easier to get linens for them.
I would definitely pick long tables with your venue. I think it would look so perfect. I was just at a wedding with long tables and nobody’s knees or elbows bumped. I would just recommend spacing people out a little instead of cramming them in tight. I’m jealous of your venue.
i agree with Linzerella and rhodeygirl. with long tables you can only talk to the people directly across from you or next to you, especially if there’s a lot of noise. we just went to a wedding with long tables and i think everyone was much less likely to stay in their seat (our group was at least, since we couldn’t all see each other!) if you do it, try to get tables as wide as you can, and spend a lot of time with the seating plan!
My venue doesn’t offer any rentals so we’ll be renting either way- and I think the longer tables will actually be cheaper so yay! I’m going to have to look into the width as many of you have said (I didn’t I’d have so many choices)
@MagPie518: I love that you’re having both! You must tell me how you liked it afterwards
@Gery: I never even thought about shoulders touching….hhhmmmm…
@charmedbride: Good idea to ask about the widths@Mrs. Gingerbread: yay photos! And I’m glad you, @janellio:, @Tea:, @Jess: and@MrsFroggy: had first hand experience with no knees touching
@enmoore66: No worries about the length in your comment because all the information you gave is so valuable
“knees will bump”?!? that’s the stupidest notion I’ve ever heard. seriously. it should be mocked. The tables are not that narrow.
I had long tables at my wedding lunch, and so did my cousin at hers. it really is lovely and better for intimate conversation, contrary to #22’s argument. I’m an introvert, so at a round table, it’s very easy for me to just hang back and just listen or just talk with my SO, but at long table, you’re closely facing about 3 people so it really encourages you to talk even if you’d never met before. You’re not going to escape getting to know them when they’re sitting that close. I really liked chatting with my cousin’s aunt-in-law and her new nephews and nieces at her wedding!
I absolutely endorse it.
Wow - I guess I’m in the minority here. I feel long tables can be incredibly awkward for conversation and personal space. I’ve never been to a wedding with the long tables, but even just at restaurants at tables that seat 8-10; if its a long table, very often end up with 2 groups of conversation at each end of the table and no communication between them, while the people in the middle are really too far away from either end to join in.
While they do look nice, are long tables an option at your venue? Those pictures make it seem like the ground isnt quite flat. You wouldnt want peoples food sliding away from them.
We are doing long tables. I love the Italian family dinner feel (just like out holidays) and it also evokes a big Picnic since it will be outside, all good with our nautical theme. As long as your tables aren’t extra narrow you should be fine. If there is room for two placemats and and you don’t try to squish people at the table there shouldn’t be any shoulders or knee issues. (There never are at family dinners and my Grandmother has a long narrow table to fit everyone. The only instance where you may have issues are the rude or very tall people who stretcht here legs way out when they eat. Most people are polite enough not to do that and the ones that arn’t are a problem with round tables because they stretcha t an angle to avoid the support mechanism in the middle.
i went to a wedding held in a camp mess hall once, and the tables were long (and the chairs not lovely but they fit the hall, since they were the hall’s). they did a series of u’s, interconnecting, and it worked really well. it can have an uber-elegant, modern feel, or a homey, family-style feel–both great for any wedding, i’d say!
go for it.
We’re going with a mix of round and long for our wedding. But for long you have to keep in mind a couple of things…
1. Standard longs come in 30″ widths. This is very limiting for centerpieces and may cause bumps under the table for the long legged guests. So, try to rent wider tables - many rental companies offer these.
2. Service can be a challenge. It’s proper for guests to wait until everyone at their table has been served before starting to eat. When at a long table, this becomes tough to guage. So, you have 2 options. Either visually separate tables using flowers or decor or serve your food family style (i.e. shared platters).
Hope this helps!
I love the look of long tables and that’s what we’re doing. We’re doing one long table for 40. We’re all friends, so we’ll be fine…touching knees or not. I’ve never had an issue with space either. I would put the minimum at each table just to make sure.
You all are slamming me with some Good Advice and Great Personal examples! I love it!!
Hi Miss Espresso, I don’t know if this advice will be repeated or not, but I have been to a wedding with long tables and I loved it. I am now also planning to do the long table look! We were comfortable and my knees did not touch anyone else. The food was served family style, like you are considering. I thought it gave the wedding a special touch and was something I definitely had not seen before. This wedding was in 2005, and I still think it is a fairly new idea. I think your venue would look great with a long table! 
good luck!
We had long tables at our wedding. It was different and people really liked it. Don’t worry about lionens not fitting. Each table will get it’s own linen, not one long linen to cover multiple tables. If you go that route suggest to your caterer that they cover each table before butting them up together (instead of matching up uncovered tables and then overlaping the tablecloths on top) This way when a guest accadentally steps on the tablecloth, the whole tablescape won’t move.
As a long legged person I’ll state that I’ve had as many problems “playing footsie” (accidentally, that is) with people at round tables as I have at long. (Save for the round tables which are supported by a single pole in the center - then I can just rest my feet on the pole.) Needing more room for the legs is a part of being tall, and its just one of those things that one becomes accustomed to.
As for the “shoulder rubbing” problem - isn’t that a result of having too many people placed too closely together?
I’ve found at long tables I talk two people to my left, two people to my right, and to three people across. That’s about the same as a table of eight. The only difficulty is that if I want to speak to the person two people to my right - the person in the middle must join in the conversation as well.
I’ve never been to a wedding with long tables, but just look at the tables your venue offers and do a test.
I’m doing long tables. No ifs ands or butts. For the same reason you discussed, long tables foster better conversation and put less pressure on guests to talk with a table of 8 or 10, where they may have to sit with strangers. I’ve sat at many round tables and I just don’t prefer it.
Go with your gut
The only reason your guests would knock knees would be if the tables weren’t deep enough. As long as the tables are big enough, it’ll be fine. Go for what you want and don’t let people put you off, I say!
we are having our ‘head table’ as a long table (instead of the traditional one-sided extremely long-table/theatre, lol). And then using round tables for all the guests! just an idea!
[...] too many centerpieces, people’s knees would touch, and on and on the reasons went. So I wrote a post about it and asked your opinion. I’m so glad you all encouraged me to follow my heart and go with [...]
you can also put two long tables together to make a square. We do this in our showroom all the time to give brides new idea. This way you have more room for centerpieces AND you don’t have to worry about knees touching.
I love long tables. Round allow only a certain number of peope to be seated together. Long are so much more condusive to conversation with everyone… I used long in a u shape for my son’s rehearsal dinner and rolled out a bolt of burlap for table the cloths. (It was a fall wedding) Then we had fall leaves and candles dancing along the length. It was magical.
I think it is an awesome idea! We were thinking the same thing but I am also having a hard time convincing the family(s). Does anyone have photos? We will be having about 150 guests so I was thinking of a large horseshoe shaped arraignment. Thank you!
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Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear
Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake
About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
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