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Since we’re having a sit-down dinner as part of wedding, we’re going to need some tables for our guests/all the glorious food/a place to put our pretty flowers. Our venue, like many other venues, uses standard tables that will be covered with tablecloths. Even standard tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
1. Round
Classic and versatile, round tables come in many sizes and can seat different numbers of people.
2. Square
They’re modern and stylish, yet they can make your seating chart harder to plan.
3. Long/banquet/royal seating
Elegant family style seating
4. Rectangular
This shape combines the angles of the square and the flexibility of round tables.
5. Mix it up!
Mix tables of different shapes and sizes for a fun, eclectic look.
Our venue gave us recommended either round or long tables, which they refer to as Royal Style seating. This was a no brainer for us and was decided on our first visit to the venue, before we had even signed the contract. I have a thing for long tables. They seem so elegant and unique (at least I’ve never been to a wedding with Royal Seating). I was secretly hoping whatever venue we picked would allow this type of seating and I am so pumped to have these tables at our wedding! I’m just not sure how we should plan the table numbers and escort cards when we only have three super long tables.
Here’s what our dining space looks like all decked out with long tables:
Yeah… it’s awesome, I’m so pumped!
BTW, it’s good a thing that I love the long tables, because depending on our final numbers, that might be the only arrangement that allows everyone to have a seat!
What kind of tables/seating are you using?
We are mixing. Two feasting style/royal tables (each will seat 16-18 people) and 6-8 8 person rounds around them and 1 sweetheart table.
I love it. We are doing with #4 because it will look awesome in the space we have.
We did round and square.
Banquet reminds me of dining hall at summer camp.
It’s going to look gorgeous! We’re using round tables because they’re the only tables our venue is providing and I’m okay with that. I’m just glad to have our venue.
We are mixing, also… I want to avoid having to seat people with strangers or at a “leftover guests” table, and mixing tables allows flexibility to sit people with whomever makes sense.
My FH’s family will sit at a long table for 11-12. Most tables will be round with 7-9 guests seated at each. (I’m shooting for 8 b/c I find 10 too many to have a comfortable conversation.)
No sweetheart table for us — we will sit at a small round table for 4, with my FH’s daughter/MOH and his cousin/BM. I’ve asked the caterer to place our table smack in the middle of the others, so everyone will be equally close to us.
By the way, you might consider doing place cards for your royal tables. I LOVE the elegance of them, but I find that they limit conversation to be with the person to your left or right, or the couple of people seated directly across from you. So I would try to group together people who know each other, and seat your more shy/quiet guests next to more outgoing guests who will engage them in the conversation.
I think this is one thing that I got the most excited about! We are doing a mixture of rectangle and round and I can’t wait to see how it turns out…although I do wish we could have done square instead of rectangle. The picture of your venue looks amazing! The royal seating will work so great there.
display a map for your escort cards since you’ll only have 3 tables!
I love the long tables…I don’t have that option with my venue, but I think it looks very elegant.
I actually really like square tables, but they’re not an option at my venue. We’ll probably do rounds to be easy, but banquet style are so nice, too. Yeah, I totally have it all figured out, huh? haha
I LOVE the way long tables look, and had almost decided to go that route, but then i started thinking about it: at a round table, everyone can talk to one another. At a square table, everyone can talk to one another. But at a long table, it’s hard to talk to the person beside you and across from you at the same time. You have about four people you can really talk to (left and right, and two or possibly three across from) without talking over someone. At a round table, you can have as many as eight–and those people can also talk to one another, unlike at long tables. I just felt like it would be easier for the people to get to know each other more easily with one or two big conversations going on, as opposed to lots of teeny tiny ones.
Round tables are also a lot easier to get in and out of….
We used rounds because that was the only way to fit all our guests into our venue, however I really wish we could have done long tables.
We are having round tables for all the guests (300) yikes! The long tables will be for the wedding party and family.
I love that you posted the “mix it up” option! I love long, elegant family-style tables, but seating EVERYONE like that may not work.
Hmmm, we may end up with a nice variety of shapes & sizes….
I think we’re going to mix up the tables, and we’re going to have some lounge seating too. We’re not having a formal sit-down dinner though.
I also LOVE the royal seating style, but (as other commented as well) decided to pass because it’s a type of seating that makes conversation and mingling more difficult for guests. I also asked some friends what they thought about it, and all stated preference for the round tables… What made you decide for it? Is it just how it looks or do you have a different take on it? Do you know other people who were at wedding with this seating that enjoyed it?
I am also using long banquet tables. I love the dramatic look of it and it reminds me of family dinners such as Thanksgiving. Its seems very inviting.
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Ms. Cheetah, Los Angeles/Palm Springs Age and Occupation: 31, Artist, Educator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 32, TV Finance Engagement Date: April 2010 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: The Viceroy About Me: I’m a silly, sassy lady with a compulsion to create. I love to sing and dance, despite the fact that I lack any talent doing either. I somehow manage to be messy and organized at the same time. I like to spend my days road tripping, watching '80s movies, reading true crime books, buying things on sale, sending postcards, playing board games, dining at food trucks, snuggling, and drinking ginger ale. I have a weak spot for all things sweet, especially Mr. Cheetah! I’m a Chicago girl and he’s a Nor Cal boy but we love living in the City of Angels. After 10 years as a couple we are planning a fun-filled semi-destination wedding in Palm Springs. Hope you enjoy the ride!
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