Not having a Head Table

Shleigh02

I've decided not to have a head table for my reception for several reasons including: limited space - only a small sweetheart table will need to be broken down before dancing and everyone but the bride/groom will already have seats to return to during dancing, and most of my attendants are married so I would like them to sit w/their partners. Usually,when the bridal party enters the reception they are introduced and then go sit at the head table as they are recognized. It would seem strange for the attendants to be introduced and then just split to go sit at some table in the crowd. Has anyone forgone the head table for a sweetheart table and figured out the etiquette of what attendants are supposed to do? Should we all stand on the dance floor and break into the first dance before dinner? Or should the groomsmen walk the ladies to their tables and then head off to their own?

mbcdefg

I don't think anyone is really going to notice or care. So do what works best for you. That being said - FI was a groomsman in a wedding where the couple had a sweetheart table and the two of us sat at a regular table with some other young couples (not wedding party members). The wedding party members were introduced in pairs, and then they lined up on the dance floor - guys in one line, girls in another line parallel to them. When they were all introduced and lined up, the girls raised their bouquets and the guys joined hands with them to form a "tunnel" for the bride and groom to walk through. Or you could just introcude them, have them stand by the dance floor, and you and FI can come in and go right into your first dance. If you want, invite other couples to join you - the WP members' dates can join them for the rest of the dance, and then when it's over you could play a fast song and keep dancing, and people who've had enough can sit down.

trix1223

I've most often seen when the WP is introduced and they come into the reception room, followed by the B&G.  Often the WP forms a "tunnel" or sorts for the B&G to walk through.  Then WP moves to the sides of the dance floor and the newlyweds have their first dance.  When dance is over, all move to their various tables for dinner.

Leah&Christian09

We did a sweetheart table and introduced the WP. We introduced them, then us. Everyone was sort of standing around near the door, watching the introductions. We immediately went to the dance floor and did our first dance, and people walked around and found their seats.

faith194

We did a sweethearts table with the attendants sitting with their SO's/family/etc at scattered tables. They lined up in front of the sweethearts table, and then joined us in the first dance. After that, they went to their seats.

tenofcups4me

I agree with Retread that bridal party intros are silly, but that's what's done in my ex-H's crowd so we did them. We also did parent intros because that's what I'm used to. They all entered, walked to the edge of the dancefloor, then we entered and did our first dance. Everyone was supposed to join us on the dancefloor midway through our dance (all guests), but the bandleader goofed and just invited the bridal party up so they and our parents joined us on the dancefloor and then we all took our seats.

danieliza1127

It's fine for them to break off after being introduced and go to their own tables.  Just be sure to tell them ahead of time where their table is so they don't feel goofy looking around for their date.

fchan1

I went to a wedding once where they had a head table. My FI was part of the wedding party and honestly, it was a little wierd for him to be sitting up there with everyone else while I was at a reuglar table with our other friends. It was also awkward logistically cuz he always wanted to come to me whenever he had a chance so he had to make his way down from the table, across the ballroom, check on or hang out with me for a bit, and then head all the way back. Two of my friends had sweetheart tables. I was part of one wedding; after being introduced, I walked in and just sat straight away with my FI at a table with other guests. My other friend had her party stand with them at the beginning and then they sat down with their dates.I think that arrangement works out better - if people in your wedding party have a sig other who is also invited to the wedding, you wouldn't want to split them up. It'll also allow your bridal party some time to socialize with other guests and friends at dinner. Plus, with a sweetheart table, the focus can be on you two instead of an entire slew of people.