Head table

pinkdocmartens

Who do you have sitting at your head table?

Was originally thinking parents...but my FI's parents have said they would like to sit with their close friends

We have a small bridal party..but two of my bridesmaids have small kids (1yr - 4yrs)...BUT the kids grandparents will also be there...

Not sure what to do...and my FI and I are shy as it is..don't want to sit up there alone!

GoodLuckBear14

Don't do a head table.  Sit at a sweetheart table and seat your bridal parties with the guests.  If it helps, Head Tables went out of fashion more than a decade ago.

MyNameIsNot

We did a sweetheart table.  They are very popular and we were really happy with our decision, but it's not the only option.  

It's fine to put the kids with their parents that are in the WP at a large head or captain table.  With kids that age, they need to be seated with their parents, not grandparents, one way or the other. 

If you don't want the kids at the head table, there are other options.  You could just sit with siblings or honor attendants and their dates.

littleluckypenny

I'm having a sweetheart table and my WP will be among the rest of our guests.

If you DO decide you want the head table, make sure to seat the WP with their SOs.  It's rude to split them up.

OliveOilsMom

We went with a sweetheart table and we don't regret it at all!  We were able to sit together and chat about all that was going on around us.  It was great to sit with new H and gaze at all of our loved ones there for us.  It also allowed us to eat and make table visits throughout the entire meal, so we got to all the tables around the room before dinner was over.  So we didn't miss out on the dancing and we got to see all our guests because the dancing hadn't started yet since every was still seated for dinner.

If you are worried about being stared at, don't be.  Usually sweetheart tables aren't put on platforms, like some head tables are.  Our parents' tables flanked either side of the sweetheart table and we let them host the people of their choosing at their table.

aragx6

I second a sweetheart table. or just sit at a normal round table with your wedding party, their dates and any other friends/family you want.

Magdala9

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_head-table-10?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d5fc7b0d-13a5-40ee-aace-262c952672f1Post:9480d244-b0c1-400c-b6b4-dadab12bb247">Head table</a>:
[QUOTE]Who do you have sitting at your head table? Was originally thinking parents...but my FI's parents have said they would like to sit with their close friends We have a small bridal party..but two of my bridesmaids have small kids (1yr - 4yrs)...BUT the kids grandparents will also be there... Not sure what to do...and my FI and I are shy as it is..don't want to sit up there alone!
Posted by pinkdocmartens[/QUOTE]<div>
 I hear you.  We didn't want a sweetheart table and our bridal party with their spouses and kids would have been 29 people.  So we just sat a round table with the best man and his wife and the MOH and her husband and kids.  </div>

kimandjosh22

we're very excited about our sweetheart table, any wedding we've been in or one of us has been in we've been split-up and it sucks. in reality you probably won't spend much time sitting at your table. I've been warned the often the bride and groom don't really get to eat at the reception, we're working on plans to get meals sent to our room later in the night.

melb2013

I second not having a traditional head table, but you could just sit at a regular table.  You could sit with your immediate families and put your bridal party with their families.  We're having a super small wedding party, so we'll be sitting at a regular size table with: both our parents, FSIL who will be a bridesmaid, FSIL's fiance, and our one groomsman.

jennipea382

I know it's not a popular opinion but we'll probably do a head table (not 100% sure but it's "the norm" around here and is the best option for us). If we do, it will probably just be the BP. Only two members of the BP have kids (together). We're going to have someone there watching their kids anyways, so they might just sit with their grandparents and/or whatever friend of theirs we invite (my idea, not theirs btw). I'm not opposed to them sitting at the head table though. It's totally up to you and the parents of the kids. I'd ask them if they'd rather sit with their kids or have them sit with someone else.

HobokensFury

Honestly I think head tables are becoming more and more uncommon.  Do a sweetheart table.  You'll enjoy they few minutes alone.

amberr110

If your bridal party is small, have a long wide table and let their SOs (and kids if necessary) sit there too.  This is what we did and lots of people commented on what a great idea it was.  Here's a pic of ours - H and I sat at the head in front of the fireplace, then our BP and their SOs sat down the sides, and nobody sat at the foot so we kept it open.

Avion22

The sweatheart table was awesome.  Honestly, we only sat there for maybe 15-20 minutes out of the whole night?  We sat while we ate (everyone else was getting their food from the buffet, so nobody started at us), then we circulated the tables, then we sat at our table again for a few toasts (more people were looking across the room at the person giving the toast than at us), then after that we were up and dancing.  If we'd done a head table, there would have been a huge Bride & Groom sized gap for most of the evening.

lilames79

Wow.. I'm sooo out of the loop.. I've never heard of a sweetheart table?
We only want a best man and maid of honor.. (family and friends are spread out) so this is a relief!!!!  We were just talking about how awkward our head table is going to look lol

cdmc3

Wow, this is great advice.  I too have never heard of a sweetheart table.  For our wedding we are not having a bridal party.  Our mothers will sign the as witness' but it will be FI and I standing together before all (moms will be in the front rows, but not standing with us).  So I have been wondering about sitting at reception too.

pinkdocmartens

im glad i asked..never even heard of a sweetheart table..
not really sure what it is, but i will google it!