More room space or fewer people at each table?

beachyone15

Most of our no-replys that we had to follow-up with won't be attending our wedding. So we got down to fewer attending than expected which I'm totally ok with.
For the reception, our options now are to have :

11 tables with 10 people at each table as we originally planned, or
14 tables with 8 people at each table

So my question is, would it be better to have more space in the room for people to move about, or more space at the tables for dinner?

Thanks!

lurkergirl

It depends on the size of the tables and the size of the room.  If you don't need extra space in the room, I'd go for the less crowded tables. 

beachyone15

The room is pretty large (I think it accommodates around 200 people and we will have about half of that).

blabla89

I vote fewer people at a table. I'm guessing you're using 6' rounds (correct me if I'm wrong here) and 10 people is definitely a squeeze.

climbingsingle

Do the 14 tables fit easily inside the room? If so, I'd go with that option. 

theartistformerlyknownas

Have you worked out your seating chart yet? For me, unless I started breaking up couples/families or sitting singles with people they don't know, there was only one good way of dividing the tables. It wasn't as easy as just squeezing them into fewer, and made my decision for me. 

We had 10-top tables (that do fit 10 comfortably; we've fit about 13 around them uncomfortably for Thanksgivings) but most had 8-9. It was pretty squeezy for me to get between tables in my dress once all the chairs were pulled out.

beachyone15

Good point @lolo883! I was leaning towards more tables with 8 at each, but working out the seating chart first is a good idea.

princessleia22

My sister's wedding was pretty tight between tables and it was kind of annoying. So, if your space is tight, I'd opt for less tables. But, if you have a larger space with sufficient room between tables, I'd go with less people at each table.

Alikat9614

I would agree that it would depend on the seating chart. We *could* have had one less table (and one less centerpiece and a bit more room), but because of how our family and social groupings were, it would have made no sense. Some of our tables had 8, some had 6 or 7. No reason the tables can't have odd numbers of people, either Our venue had 8 chairs at all the tables despite how many people were going to sit there, and it was nice that at about 1/2 our tables there was an open chair I could sit at during table visits!

lyndausvi

If you are using 72's then 10 is okay.  But I would just break down the groups naturally.  

We had a mix of squares and rounds of different sizes.   Our tables ranged in numbers from 12 (lg square table) to 7 (small round).      

steph861

beachyone15 said:

Most of our no-replys that we had to follow-up with won't be attending our wedding. So we got down to fewer attending than expected which I'm totally ok with.
For the reception, our options now are to have :

11 tables with 10 people at each table as we originally planned, or
14 tables with 8 people at each table

So my question is, would it be better to have more space in the room for people to move about, or more space at the tables for dinner?

Thanks!

I am having the EXACT same problem! I'm having six people per table (they're supposed to seat eight). I'm worried it will look rather sparse, but there's really nothing I can do about it. 

ETA: I have the seating chart done and it breaks down pretty well with six per table (I think there's one or two with five). As done as it can be at this point, anyway.

theartistformerlyknownas

steph861 said:

beachyone15 said:

Most of our no-replys that we had to follow-up with won't be attending our wedding. So we got down to fewer attending than expected which I'm totally ok with.
For the reception, our options now are to have :

11 tables with 10 people at each table as we originally planned, or
14 tables with 8 people at each table

So my question is, would it be better to have more space in the room for people to move about, or more space at the tables for dinner?

Thanks!

I am having the EXACT same problem! I'm having six people per table (they're supposed to seat eight). I'm worried it will look rather sparse, but there's really nothing I can do about it. 

Better start calling your B list. ;-)

steph861

lolo883 said:

steph861 said:

beachyone15 said:

Most of our no-replys that we had to follow-up with won't be attending our wedding. So we got down to fewer attending than expected which I'm totally ok with.
For the reception, our options now are to have :

11 tables with 10 people at each table as we originally planned, or
14 tables with 8 people at each table

So my question is, would it be better to have more space in the room for people to move about, or more space at the tables for dinner?

Thanks!

I am having the EXACT same problem! I'm having six people per table (they're supposed to seat eight). I'm worried it will look rather sparse, but there's really nothing I can do about it. 

Better start calling your B list. ;-)

My mom has been hinting that she could invite her friends to fill some space. Sorry, mumsy - no deal.