Sit with your newly married beloved or with family and friends?
A detail often overlooked when planning a wedding is the placement of the just-married couple during the reception. There are typically two options: a head table setup or a sweetheart table setup. The head table is larger and includes the bridal party and/or close family members along with the newly married couple. The sweetheart table is much smaller – seating only the honored couple. Each has their own benefits you may not have considered, so the experts at Walter Knoll Florist break it down for you so can decide which is best for you.
Benefits of Sitting at a Head Table
You’re surrounded by your “crew”
The people who are some of the most important in your life, family and close friends, are around you to share their love and enthusiasm for you. Also, they can be great stress-relievers and provide a lot of comfort on a day that can be particularly nerve-wracking. The love and enjoyment of good friends and family can help settle you down and prepare you for an evening of fun, laughter, and celebration.
It’s a great way to honor those who are closest to you
When a friend or family member accepts the role of being a member of the bridal party, they are electing to also stand up with you as your commit your love to another person. A simple way to return the favor and honor them for being there for you is to seat them at the wedding head table to make them feel special.
Guests won’t feel so separated from you
You and your hubby will be engaged in lively and fun conversations amongst friends and family members, making you seem less cut off from all the guests in general. Being at a large head table makes you more approachable to all of the other people in the room.
Benefits of Sitting at a Sweetheart Table
Quality alone time with your beloved
Weddings can be hectic events with guests wanting a piece of your time and before you know it, the day has flown by. A sweetheart table allows you and your special person to have a quiet moment together amongst the celebration to relax and enjoy your newly married-ness together without interruption.
Opportunity for the bridal party to mingle and relax
Without a head table, which is typically reserved for the bridal party and family only, bridesmaids and groomsmen can sit with their dates and mingle with others besides each other. This setup means they won’t have to be separated from their special person, too.
You’ll be able to get away more easily to converse with other guests
While being surrounded by friends and family at a head table, you might get a little too complacent and stay within their company all night. A sweetheart table, on the other hand, encourages you to leave your seat and mingle with others at their table. Guests love and appreciate the special attention they receive from the bride and groom.
Both the sweetheart table and head table setups are perfectly acceptable and they both have their advantages over each other. In summary, the head table allows you to honor your bridal party and close family members making them feel special to be included in the spotlight with you, while sweetheart tables allow you to more easily mingle with every guest at your wedding, for bridal party participants to sit with their loved ones, and have a moment of togetherness without interruption. Once you’ve decided between the two, the rest of the planning can be completed!
For additional wedding tips and inspiration, read our wedding blogs and contact us directly for any of your wedding floral needs.