Removing tables to accommodate dancing?

heylady87

The reception venue my fiance and I booked accommodates only a certain amount of guests at dinner tables -- we did this on purpose to stay within our budget. When we met with the "event coordinator," she said most brides simply remove a couple of tables from the room to give the dance floor adequate room. At the time, I thought nothing of it, and was just like, "Of course, makes perfect sense." Many people will be up dancing the night away, and some people will leave the reception shortly after dinner.

Well, my mother, I've just found out, totally disagrees. She thinks it's incredibly rude to remove a couple of the tables (but to keep the chairs, in a line against a wall, or nestled at other tables) because people may want to continue sitting at their table. 

So, what do you think? Do I need to get creative and come up with a different table layout to force-fit a dedicated dance floor, or is the event coordinator's solution OK?

MayberryAfterMidnight

I don't mean to sound like a fuddy-duddy either, but I think I agree that having to move tables may not be the best idea. If you think about it, it might be kind of awkward for everyone to have to watch them moving the tables and chairs and then the pressure's really on for everyone to start dancing! Could you possibly place tables closer together so that none of them have to be moved? (Or is that a fire hazard/against the venues rules?) Can you possibly get smaller tables? I'm not sure what the venue's rules and set-up is, but I definitely think it's worth exploring other options so that you don't have to move tables half-way through. Good luck!

MayberryAfterMidnight

Sorry! Just thought of something - I think you could maybe stick with the coordinator's plan if you discussed it with the people sitting at those tables beforehand. Maybe those tables could be your close friends (the ones who would understand having the table taken away and could more happily arrange to keep their sweathers/cameras, etc. elsewhere ahead of time. Definitely would not recommend sitting the grandparents or old-fashioned guests at those tables!

SunshineShades

We're removing tables at our venue. The caterer says they usually move the family tables. We may have them move them up onto the stage (it's an old theatre) for dancing if they will agree. I think as long as people have a chair to sit at, it is NBD. They can move their camera, sweater etc to another table.
I have been to many weddings that do this. I have never seen it as a big deal.

You can get the DJ/MC to announce they are going to move some tables for the dance floor and suggest guests take the time to stretch their legs, get a drink or sign your guest book.
You could also use this time to cut your cake (if you are having one) as this tends to be somethign people want to see and some can gather around for that.

heylady87

Excellent advice, SunshineShades et. al! Thanks so much. I'll have to talk to the venue's event coordinator, and work on some assigned seating, but I think this will make my mom much happier.

heylady87

Good idea, Avion22. If I did banquet tables, I would have to rent them and the linens, and I'm on a tight budget. As is, the reception hall provides the round tables and linens at no extra cost.

HobokensFury

I don't like the idea of removing tables for reasons in PP.  Is it possible to do tables of 10 instead of 8 to cut down on the number of tables needed?

vantilka

Maybe you can move the head table instead of tables for the guests?  Most of the bridal party will be up and dancing or socializing anyway.

alithebride

LOL i agree with your mother. removing tables and lining the chairs against the wall is a bad idea.

QueerFemme

I have been to lots of weddings where they move the tables after the food is served.  I don't see anything wrong with it. But, I guess most of the weddings I've been to have also been pretty "friendly"... where most people know each other or know someone that knows someone... so, there is a lot of milling around/socializing happening.  Half of the tables are empty throughout the reception because of that.