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It’s dorky, and even a tad snobby. Since mister and I fancy ourselves foodies, when we’re dining out, we usually order two dishes we’d both like to try. Our meals arrive, and we taste our own first — but quickly load a fork with a bite for each other to sample. We often end up passing our bread plates back and forth, filling and refilling them — or we just swap entree dishes halfway through the meal. And if we’re really enjoying the cuisine, we’ll trade notes and attempt to guess any secret ingredients.
We never really even discussed the possibility of not having a sweetheart table. Mr. Bruschetta and I will attend most (hopefully all!) of our cocktail hour, and during this time, we’ll make the rounds and greet our guests — so we can spend our first married meal savoring each other’s company, and the delicious dishes!
What about everyone else? Well, way back at the start of our planning, we found the F.U.E.L. House. And we realized we could go a bit crazy with the other tables! Since the second floor (where we’ll serve dinner) overlooks the entry and dance floor below, we opted to rent a variety of shapes, so everyone will encircle the wraparound balcony. (Floor plan courtesy of the F.U.E.L. House.)
We’re mixing it up, combining 60″ rounds with two banquet tables, each seating 12 people — long-ish, but still small enough to maintain and intimate feel. Two family tables will sit closest to our sweetheart table; the banquet tables will run along the left and right sides of the space surrounding the atrium; and the remaining rounds will complete the circle. Each of these three “groups” of tables will have its own distinct centerpiece — floral arrangements following along with our quaternary color scheme. I can’t wait to see how it all comes together!
Do you prefer circular or long tables at a wedding reception? Which did (or will) you use?
I love long tables! Our venue is a long and skinny room: perfectly suited for long tables—if there are 100 or fewer guests. We’ll have about 120. Enter sad face. Round tables it is!
I love long tables but with 175 guests, it doesn’t make much sense with our tented venue, so we’ll be using round tables…oh well, can’t have everything! We’re also not doing a sweetheart table, I find it sort of uncomfortable to be on display all night, I’d prefer to sit with a bunch of our friends….but my cousin did a sweetheart table and loved it, i think it just depends on personality of hte couple…
OMG - That is one of my good friends’ wedding picture! When she mentioned she and her soon-to-be husband were having dinner before the reception, alone, I thought it was a great idea. You hear so often that the happy couple never gets a chance to eat on their big day. That, and I know that they shared a very special dinner as newlyweds.
we’ll have both at our reception! I fell in love with long tables way before I was engaged, and we were lucky enough to find a venue we love that offers that option!
Ooh, I love that you’re combining round and long tables. Which end will your sweetheart table be on?
i prefer round tables only because then it’s easier to be a part of the conversation at a table. if you don’t sit in the middle then you’re stuck missing have of the dinner talk!
I like round table, and I think that is all our venue offers anyway. We are also planning to do a sweetheart table. We actually felt like the headtable would be putting us on display more than the sweetheart table. Plus almost all of our bridal party have children, so we wanted them to be able to sit together as a family. Sounds like a great plan you have there. Best wishes!
I loved our sweetheart table. We did a bunch of rounds. But I really think the big long table is really en vogue now and is pretty stylish, I think! Your set up is very cool and I like that it’s a mixture of both rounds and longs!!!
We always switch plates at restaurants! So fun to try two dishes.
Your plan of mixing tables sounds great. It’s always easy to talk to the person across from you at the rectangular tables.
I’m not sure which I prefer, but I’m planning on using 72′ round tables inside our hall and 36′ round high tables throughout the foyer and patio. We are having a bridal table where the FI, I, and bridal party will sit. But I really like the idea of mixing the long and round tables….maybe…okay now, I have rethink my plan!
I love the idea of a sweetheart table; so romantic. Though they say the round tables work better for conversation but when they are large or the reception is loud the round are actual more difficult to talk across. The long tables are en vogue and you can easily talk to 5 others.
We’re using both! We are sitting at a sweetheart table, our much too large immediate families are sitting at 8 foot rectangles, the kiddies get their own picnic table, and the rest of the guests will be at rounds. 
our venue offers the round tables without additional cost so that’s what we’ll be going with.
I like round tables because I feel like they’re more intimate and less formal. But you’re combination sounds awesome!
mixing up your tables is going to give your wedding such an intimate, family-style feel - which sounds like it will suit you and your mister perfectly! will you be assigning just tables and letting guests choose their seating, or will you have assigned seating, too?
p.s. can’t help but notice that your wedding is this month, and since this will be the last weekend of august, it looks like someone is getting married in five days! how exciting!
What a great idea to go around the balcony!
We’re using both round & rectangle tables… and a sweetheart tale for us - I think it will be fun to mix it up a bit!
We’re at the mercy of our resort as far as what tables will be used. I’ve seen both round and rectangle in pictures on their site. Since we only anticpate about 30 guests, I’m hoping we can use long tables with my FI and I right in the middle of all the action!
Oh, that’s a really cool idea to mix the table shapes up! We’re having rectangular ones!
I’ve always been a fan of round tables. For some reason they just seem more intimate to me, like you can see and talk to more people at once.
I prefer round tables because they make for easier conversation.
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Mrs. Bruschetta, Philadelphia Age and Occupation: 25, Communication Professional Fiance's Age and Occupation: 25, Physical Therapy Graduate Student Engagement Date: November 30, 2007 Wedding Date: August 2009 Venue: St. Thomas of Villanova Church & the F.U.E.L. House About Me: I’m a self-proclaimed grammar geek who loves singing (like, really belting it) in the car. My mister and I are planning a vibrant summer soiree celebrating our passions – including food and Philly – and when we make it official, we’ll have been together for eight years! Being super competitive is in my nature, and talking excessively is in my genes. I’ve got a terrible sense of direction, but can always easily find my way into Mr. Bruschetta’s arms.
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