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Head Table Seating Plans and Ideas

The head table at a wedding reception is where all eyes will be for most of the night.  Whilst it is ok to bend traditions, for a formal or sit down wedding reception, most contemporary couples follow the rules for head table seating.  Here are the head table seating plans to give you some ideas for how to seat your families and wedding attendants on the big day.

If you want to follow traditions, you have three options to choose from:  a traditional bridal table which is the most popular option, a table with just the bride and groom by themselves, or a family table honouring your family and special guests.

Bridal Table

At a traditional bridal table or bride's table, the bride and groom sit together in the middle.  To the other side of the groom is the Maid or Matron of Honour, and to the other side of the bride is the Best Man.  Next to the Maid of Honour is one of the groomsmen, and next to the Best Man is one of the bridesmaids.  Follow this pattern of male attendant next to female attendant to the end of the table.  The bride's table is usually a long rectangular table where all of the attendants face the wedding guests and sit side by side.  You can decorate the bridal table with swags or garlands of flowers, plenty of beautiful candles and a personalised table runner for unique personalisation.

If the bride and groom have children, they may also be seated at the bride's table at the end, which isn't traditional, but is practical.  For smaller weddings, the couple may include the partners of the wedding attendants at the table also, or seat the partners at a table nearby to the head table. 

Family Table

For smaller weddings or weddings with few or no wedding attendants, many couples are choosing to have a family table which allows them to spend special time with their family at the reception.  For a family table, the bride and groom will sit together in the middle of a circular or rectangle table, and the Maid of Honour will sit next to the groom, and Best Man next to the bride just like on a bridal table.  Next to the main attendants you would seat the grandparents, followed by the officiant and then the bride's mother and father and the groom's mother and father.  Try and seperate the married couples (apart from the bride and groom) to assist with conversation.

Couple's Table

A very modern new twist is the couple's table where the bride and groom sit together to eat.  This is a romantic choice which ensures the couple gets some time alone at the reception and also ensures they eat!  Many guests find this arrangement a little disconcerting as they don't want to interrupt the couple, but so long as the bride and groom do leave their seats after they have eaten, this seating arrangement can work well for the couple and the guests.

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