Seating Arrangements

SarahNLeon

Hi there! So, I have a question,

my fiance wants to have us sit with our parents at the reception instead of the bridal party. (Like, have the head table be a circle, and have us sit with the parents) I'm ok with this as long as we can come up with a "proper" way to seat everyone.... if we do this, do we have the bridal party sit dispersed with thier familes? Or have another "head" table with the bridal party nad thier "spouse"? What if all the bridal party doesnt have a spouse? He wants them to be able to sit with thier families instead of just with the rest of the birdal party.... but I don't want them disperesed everywhere because then it feels awkward.... And then what do we do when we have the toasts?


Any feedback is appreciated. I feel like he doesn't really input any opinon into any of the planning, and he feels so passionate about this, I really want to find a way to accomodate it.

sklink0486

I was totally reading your message intently until I got to "He wants them to be able to sit with their families instead of just with the rest of the birdal party" Lol. It's too early in the morning and I'm tired at work. Anyways, to answer your questions, I've seen it both ways. I wouldn't have a "head" table for them as well though. If you are having round tables, just assign them to one or two round tables together. A separate "head" table for them would be awkward. As for his way, I don't really think there's a problem with that either unless someone would be left out and sitting in a random place. For toasts- when DJ or whoever announces toasts, have the people giving toasts gather next to the bride and groom either on the dance floor or in a visible area. It doesn't have to be given from a "head" table. Honestly, as long as their table is close to yours, I don't see any problem with them standing to make toasts from their seats.

jessicabessica

I went to a wedding last summer where the bride and groom sat with their parents, and then there was a nearby table of bridesmaids and their dates and a nearby table of groomsmen and their dates (all round tables).  I thought it worked out well (I was the best man's date).  

I don't see how your FI's idea could work unless all the people in the wedding party had family there to sit with.  I wouldn't want to have one bridesmaid or groomsman who got stuck at a random table because there was no where else and no wedding party table.  

shortee426

J and I are doing a sweetheart table.  Our BP will be seated with the family and/or friends.

trix1223

I like that your FI is thinking of the WP and having them sit with dates.  But what I'd recommend is to let them sit with those with whom they'd be most comfortable.

At DD and SIL's wedding, DD's sister and SIL sat with their cousins and dates.  Her FSIL sat with her friends.  And her college friends who were the rest of the WP sat with each other and their dates.

As for having your WP sit "dispersed"-that's really fine.  Once the ceremony is over, they are "off duty", and from then on they're just like the rest of your guests.  There's really no need for them to all sit together, particularly if they don't know one another.

Again, referring to DD and SIL's wedding:  6 WP members:  3 from college, 2 sisters, 1 FSIL.  None of the three groups knew the people in the other groups before the wedding, and they don't keep in touch now.  A WP doesn't become a new social unit, so I'd recommend letting them sit with the people they'll have the most fun with.

Good luck.

SarahNLeon

Thanks everyone- sorry for my awful spelling the first time around... it was late. Haha. I really appreciate your input, I'm going to propose these ideas to my FI and see what he says.

Thanks so much!