Long vs. Round Tables

Long vs. Round Tables

July 31st, 2008 @ 1:43 pm by Mrs. Espresso
Share

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

Tags: big bear, decor, reception |

Share |

Latest Gallery Pics

Hot Pink and White with Zebra 36" Lighted Spandex Ostrich Feather Centerpiece

44 Responses to “Long vs. Round Tables”

1 2 3 Last

Member

slwseminole (message) 6 posts, Newbee

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!

7/31/08 @ 1:48 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Bruschetta (message) 5,565 posts, Bee Keeper

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!

7/31/08 @ 1:49 pm (reply)

Guest

Gery

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…

7/31/08 @ 1:50 pm (reply)

Member

LaborDayBride (message) 136 posts, Blushing bee

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.

7/31/08 @ 1:54 pm (reply)

Member

charmedbride (message) 358 posts, Helper bee

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!

7/31/08 @ 1:54 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Gingerbread (message) 644 posts, Busy bee

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 ;))

7/31/08 @ 1:55 pm (reply)

Guest

Megs08

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.

7/31/08 @ 1:55 pm (reply)

Guest

Linzerella

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…

7/31/08 @ 1:56 pm (reply)

Member

Brooke86 (message) 23 posts, Newbee

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:00 pm (reply)

10.

Member

MrsFroggy (message) 195 posts, Blushing bee

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:03 pm (reply)

11.

Member

rebecca (message) 1,315 posts, Bumble bee

I agree with Brooke86! We’re using 36″ wide long tables and we’re not worried at knees knocking at all.

7/31/08 @ 2:08 pm (reply)

12.

Member

swp02138 (message) 123 posts, Blushing bee

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:11 pm (reply)

13.

Guest

Tea

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:13 pm (reply)

14.

Guest

mandoo

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:13 pm (reply)

15.

Guest

mandoo

clarification: as a guest, I prefer the round tables to the long tables. Sorry!

7/31/08 @ 2:14 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

janellio

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:17 pm (reply)

17.

Guest

KMC

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!

7/31/08 @ 2:17 pm (reply)

18.

Guest

Jess

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:18 pm (reply)

19.

Hostess

suzanno (message) 2,683 posts, Sugar bee

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:19 pm (reply)

20.

Member

enmoore66 (message) 330 posts, Helper bee

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.

7/31/08 @ 2:22 pm (reply)

1 2 3 Last