Because we got such great feedback on our Great Cake Debate post, we’ve decided to make our wedding debates an ongoing topic! Today’s debate is regarding tables: Head vs. Sweetheart table. Head table being that you and your wedding party share a table, sweetheart table being that only you and your groom share one. In my career in the wedding industry I have seen many great uses of both tables! Each contains pros and cons, but at the end of the day it’s up to the bride and groom to decide what suites them best. Take a look at the expert opinions below and let us know which table option you prefer!
Carlie Renee of Gabriel Ryan Photography: Gabriel and i didn’t have either! we had our bridal party sit with their spouses or families and we sat with our family. If I think about some of my favorite weddings, most of them had a head table… but a no fuss head table!! Just something simple – nothing high off the ground or overly decorated. 🙂
Antonia Christianson of Antonia Christianson Events: To be honest, I’m not a super big fan of either. But if I had to choose one, I’d say sweetheart table. At a sweetheart table you have the ability to enjoy your spouse while still having the capability to get up, move around and greet guests without having to move around a large bridal party. Guests also have the opportunity to come up and speak to you one on one without blocking the view of your guests that are sitting at the head table with you.
Kathryn of Snippet and Ink: I prefer a head table, but only if it’s discreet – no tables on a raised stage, with people just on one side of the table like an expert panel. Just a table that’s like all the other tables, with the bridal party seated there.
Photo by Ryan Ray
Photo by Alison Conklin
Photo by Hugh Forte Photography
Photo by Erin Hearts Court
Photo by Jessica Johnston
Photo by Erin Hearts Court
im sooo a sweetheart person. I like knowing that you can be with your new husband all by yourself for those brief moments of time between speeches, dances, etc…
I actually really geekily get into table shapes when we’re picking Real Weddings! The different options can make for a variety of visually appealing options and editorial points. I think the long family-style tables visually are so romantic, though honestly, as a guest… you better like who you’re sitting with, because you’re stuck talking to them! Couples that mix and match the tables can make the room a little less predictable.
But in all honesty, stepping outside of my job as a photo editor for a moment, and remembering that it is actually your wedding day(!), I have to say the sweetheart table is a lovely option. It’s probably one of the only ways you can actually take some time to yourselves as newlyweds.
Thank goodness I’m not planning my own wedding! I’d be overwhelmed between what looks prettier in images vs. the reality!
I’m not a fan of either–at my wedding we all sat at one long table! Of course, depending on numbers, this can’t always be done. If I had to pick, though, I’d choose the head table vs. the Sweetheart table. I agree with the others in that I think it should be like every other table and not on a stage, etc. I also think it should be the same shape as every other table and not where the bridal party sits just on one side facing out. My last thought on this is, I hate it when it’s bridal party only and the guests/spouses of the bridal party sit at a different table.
Omg, I love that Kathryn called the long, one-sided head table an “expert panel”. That is SO true! Those drive me craaazy, especially when you make it worse by sticking it on a riser. *sigh*
I’m a fan of the head table…of sorts. I can see the sentiment in a sweetheart table, but I feel like a wedding isn’t just for the couple getting married, it is for the two families and the friends that are also being joined by the marriage. I like the togetherness created by table shared with family.
We did a slightly non-traditional head table that included my parents and his parents along with maid of honor and best man. We wanted to be able to have our first meal together with them. We had the table set sort of in the middle of everyone else, we weren’t isolated from the rest of the guests either.
No matter what though, seating is so tricky!
I had a sweetheart table just because I didn’t want to split up the wedding party from their dates. If everyone would’ve sat at that table it would’ve been HUGE! I like the idea of a hybrid table (like what Ring Finger Studio did), wish I would’ve thought of that for mine! Live and learn 🙂
Heat table ALLLL the way! i hate being split up from my fiance when one of us is in a wedding! Its so annoying when we cant sit together.
We are going with about 3 really long tables for the entire wedding party. The bridal party and dates will dine with us at the middle table for our family style meal. I get the idea of the sweetheart table but I love being able to sit with our friends and loved ones for our first meal. I’m hoping the end result will result in lots of intimate conversation and partying. 🙂
I am not a fan of sweetheart tables, I prefer family style seating as it’s more inclusive. I agree Ring Finger Studio, weddings are about the entire village. Plus I’ve noticed family style seating provides a more festive mood for the reception.
If I had to pick, I’d go with sweatheart. I like to keep couples together, that way my bridal party members can enjoy their night with their significant other and not leave them stranded at a table of unknowns.
I chose family style seating at my wedding. My husband an I sat with his European friends that were visiting the states for our wedding. My bridal party members were able to sit with their husbands and fiancees and everyone had a blast!
I went to a wedding where they did a “kings” table and it was very dramatic and it had about 30 people at it. It was the bride and groom’s way of including everyone in the wedding party and their guests.
wow!! honored that you would post my feedback!!! i love that you posted about this. so fun to see what people think!!