My fiance and I will be sitting at a sweetheart table (just us) at the reception. We have 10 people in our wedding party (5 groomsmen and 5 bridesmaids). The venue coordinator says we seat the wedding party with their plus ones (many are married) in the front in between our immediate family tables. But there isn’t a big enough table to seat all of them at one table. So she may split them up into two tables next to each other. Recently someone told me the wedding party isn’t supposed to sit with their plus ones. If that’s the case, we can fit them in one long table. However, I don’t really feel comfortable having the best man’s wife sit somewhere else on some other table without her husband, etc. I mean, if we were having one big table with the wedding party seated next to us, then I completely understand–that should be wedding party only. But since we’re using a sweetheart table and having everyone else sit on a separate table, it just seems a little unfair that their spouses should sit somewhere else at some random table. The venue planner wants to seat them all together too, but then there’s the issue of splitting up into two tables..
Any advice?
Brandi Hamerstone,Owner/Senior Wedding Planner All Events Planner
Since you are sitting at a sweetheart table, there is no need to seat your wedding party together at another table. If you were all sitting at a bridal “head” table, then this would make more sense. Although, I’ve seen plenty of head tables have their bridal party and still have their +1’s with them, so in the end it is really up to you.
I would do your bridal party the favor of allowing them to sit with their dates for the evening as it will make them more comfortable and allow you and your bridal party to have more fun!
Good luck!
Thank you!
Darlene Taylor, PBC
TaylorMade Weddings
I completely agree. My advice exactly – have your wedding party sit with their spouses/dates. They will really appreciate it! Besides, it’s really only for the dinner time. I rarely see any of the bridal party at the head table after dinner anyway. They are with their spouses/dates – so why not have them all together anyway? It all depends on what *you* want.
Best Wishes!
Joyce C Smith, MBC, President and owner of Weddings Unlimited, Inc. and Ohio State Coordinator for Association of Bridal Consultants
Having a sweetheart table is nice, but then you have the issue of where to seat your wedding party. Try and lay out the room to have all guests focused on you. Your wedding party and thier significant others should be at a table or two close by. Two six foot round tables should work. If you elect to have one long table, remember that the wedding party will only be there for dinner, so don’t have fancy lighting that will go to waste once they are all up and enjoying the party.
Donna, Wedding Queen
My son and his bride had a sweetheart table and their bridal party sat together at another table along with their “dates”.
It was a cute little round table. They’re not the type of people who like the limelight. 