- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
Back in my pre-engaged days, I came across a wedding concept that was new to me—the sweetheart table. Admittedly, at first I thought this was quite an idiotic idea. Why would you gather all your friends and family up in one place and then proceed to seclude just yourselves in a special, almost off-limits dining zone? It just didn’t click. However, now that we’re getting closer to W-Day, I’ve definitely changed my tune. And here’s why.
We have a pretty extensive bridal party—seven on each side. With that size, I wasn’t enamored with most conventional head-table setups. If we do one long table, it will be one long table. I want our bridal-party members to have a fun reception, and plopped down at the no-man’s-land end of the long head table isn’t my idea of fun. You don’t get to see or talk to that many other people without leaving your seat; plus you’re facing the entire crowd of guests, meaning they can watch you eat. And that’s just creepy to me.
Image via Ruth Ueland Photography
Another popular option is a U-shaped head table. This helps to make the whole bridal-party crowd feel a bit more connected, since at least you can put your eyes on everyone else without craning around, but it’s not a realistic option for us. It still makes having lively conversation a bit difficult; plus a large, U-shaped table isn’t a very effective use of space in our reception venue.
Image via A Perfect Day Wedding Planning
In addition to the logistical and space issues a head table would present, it doesn’t really allow for any private time between the newlyweds. I’ve repeatedly read and heard that the day goes by in an instant and many people regret not taking some moments here and there to just be with their new spouse. I was really enchanted with the idea of having a few (relatively) private moments with Mr. Snow Cone as we enjoy our reception dinner. Between my desire for some quality time with the new hubby and my lack of dedication to a traditional head table, it was decided—we’re having a sweetheart table.
I’m really excited about this decision. We get to have the best of both worlds, as we’ll be one-on-one at our own table through the meal, but our bridal-party members will be seated at tables immediately flanking our sweetheart table. This entire setup just seems more relaxed and at ease, which sounds pretty perfect for a way to unwind after a busy beginning to our wedding day.
To whet your sweetheart-table appetite, here are a few photos to show off exactly how cute a table for two can be:
Image via Weddingbee member CaitMarae on the Weddingbee Boards
Image via Weddingbee member EvaBostonTerrier on the Weddingbee Boards / Photo by Westworks Photography
Image via Wedding Paper Divas
Image via Etsy / Photo by Orange Girl Photographs / Banner by Etsy seller FunkyShique
Image via Liberty Mountain Resort & Conference Center
Image via Wedding Window / Photo & Design by Designs by Hemingway
Image via Weddingbee member bloodgo1 on the Weddingbee Boards
See? Totally adorable!
What are your thoughts on a sweetheart table?
I loved our sweetheart table. Granted, we were only seated for 5 minutes because people decided their pictures were more important than us eating.
I like the sweetheart table. We didn’t personally do it (we did the “king and queen table” setup), but I always think it is sweet that the couple gets some down time together. Plus, I love the cute decor on some of these - that “X O X O” bunting is adorbs.
We’re doing the same - we have a 14 person wedding party, and most of them have dates that aren’t involved. Seems sad to me to isolate our loved ones from their dates! Plus, I’m sure we’ll be wanting some “private” time of our own.
I was not a fan of the main head table and the sweatheart table either. We have decided to use large square tables with rounds on the end to create an oval shape. People in the wedding part cant then sit facing eachoter and no one is left at the end with no one to talk to. Except no one will across the bride and groom. Hope I expalined it well.
I always thought this kind of set-up seemed MUCH less stuck-up (is that the right word?) than the head table set-up. I mean with a head-table it seems like you isolate your party from their +1s and you isolate yourselves from the rest of the guests. I much prefer the intimacy of the sweetheart table <3
We are also going with a sweetheart table for the same reasons. Specifically, we are using a 60″ half-round table. I didn’t want a tiny sweetheart table because I think they look like children’s tables. So with the bigger, 60″ table, my florist is going to put some mini candleabras on the sides and fancy it up a little bit. I had never heard of that option before (i.e., using a bigger sweatheart table), so I was happy my florist suggested it.
I never even thought of using a big head table. I always wanted our own private space in the sweetheart or bridal table.
the wedding party will seat at regular tables, just like the rest of the guests. The head table looks too much la a Quinceañera to me rather than a wedding.
We’re doing a first look and probably will spend a little time immediately after the ceremony to be together on our own. My idea of a perfect reception is to party it up with all of our closest and finest. We have our whole lives to be on our own and will probably never ever ever have all of those people in the same room again. So no private table for us!
We will be having a table where both of our parents will be there. The wedding party will be seated with their own respective dates and families.
I felt the exact same way you did the first time I saw a sweetheart table! Then, I entered WeddingBlogLand and now, I understand.
I love the idea of a sweetheart table 
So cute! We’re not doing one, but I doubt we’ll be spending much time at the table anyway. HA!
SWEETHEART TABLE FTW!!! That’s what we’re planning to go with too. I love the idea
Yay! We’re doing a sweetheart table. I just felt really bad separately our wedding party from their significant others. Plus it will be nice to have some time to our selves during dinner.
BEAUTIFUL! Exactly what I’m going to be doing too! I need some TLC with my new Hubby, and It’d be nice to have my people mingle more… our families tend to segregate, so putting my peeps out there to stir things up will help with that!!
We are doing a sweetheart table. Most of our party is married with kinder, and we aren’t into pulling them all apart.
Plus we are getting up right after stuffing our faces with food (I AM eating darnit!) to say hi to everyone, so it’s a moot point. Plus I’ve always thought it was sad after the dancing started to see this big huge table facing everyone totally empty. It just feels like a waste of space to me.
I love the sweetheart table, that way our friends can be seated with their dates and don’t have to awkwardly face the crowd as they eat.
Miss SC you are right on here…the whole people watching me eat is kinda creepy. All our attendents have SO and some have kids who are invited. I am not sure what we are going to do yet, but I want to sit with my friends and allow them to sit with their families too. We are thinking of a huge square set up, a version of the U and then the restround tables. I have no idea how that will work out yet…It sounded better in my head.
I think I’m with Miss High Wire on this one. The sweetheart table just doesn’t really appeal to me. But we’re going to have a fairly large wedding party, and I want them all to sit with their dates, so I’m not sure what the ultimate arrangement will be. With a smaller wedding party, you can have the dates sit at the head table as well.
I wasn’t a fan of the head table (didn’t want people watching me eat….didn’t want to seperate dates) but wasn’t totally sold on the sweetheart table. I wanted to be with our nearest and dearest throughout the meal.
Then I found the King’s Table option and it was absolutely perfect! We are going to have one larrrrgeee table in the middle of the room, with all bridal party and dates. My fiance and I will sit at the end. This way, everyone can see us but we aren’t “on display”.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Snow Cone, Pittsburgh/Johnstown, PA Age and Occupation: 23, Public Health Graduate Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 23, Engineer Engagement Date: April 9, 2010 Wedding Date: August 2011 Venue: OMOS Church ceremony/Sunnehanna Country Club reception About Me: I’m one of the lucky ones---I met my future husband at the ripe old age of 13, started dating him as a mature woman of 15, and have been enjoying the ride ever since. Here we are, 8 years later, living in Pittsburgh, planning a "homestination" wedding in the place our school romance began---Johnstown, PA. I thrive on talking a mile a minute, eating my weight in chocolate, and internet shopping. I love a lengthy to-do list almost as much as I love a healthy amount of chaos in my life. Mr. Snow Cone and I watch countless episodes of Friends and The West Wing on repeat, root for rival college sports teams, and make each other laugh each and every day. We’re putting together a small-town wedding with a big personality and a classically modern (or modernly classic?) look for 250 of our closest family and friends. It’s been 8+ years in the making, and sometimes I still can’t believe I’m finally getting to marry my high school sweetheart!
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics