Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?

misocute

Groom and I are going to sit at a large bridal table w/ our groomsmen and bridesmaids..but my question is do their dates sit with us too?

fallbride1109

Yes, they should be allowed to sit with their dates at the table.

Summer2011Bride

Yes, it's the nice thing to do. They should be allowed to sit with their dates. If the table can't accommodate that, you could do a sweetheart table, or just sit amongst your WP and other guests at regular banquet tables and forego the head table altogether.

HobokensFury

Yes. This is the reason why sweetheart tables are so popular.

JoanE2012

Yes!  I attended a wedding once with my FI and he was in the WP and sat at the WP table.  I was stuck at a table with a bunch of people I didn't know.  The dinner really sucked.

[Deleted User]

Yes this is what my FI and I are doing. He wants to do a head table, I want the WP's significant others or +1's to be seated with them so we're compromising and doing a King's Table. It will be pretty big but I want everyone comfortable.

[Deleted User]

I'm not having people's +1 sit at the head table with them. But luckily for me, the +1 know enough people that are being invited that they will actually end up sitting with friends. I've also been able to arrange the seating so that after dinner, there will be empty spots at each table so the bridal party can go join their spouses/dates for the rest of the evenig.

HobokensFury

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:8b513c62-d5ef-4dc7-888d-cb3d957d0a72">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not having people's +1 sit at the head table with them. But luckily for me, the +1 know enough people that are being invited that they will actually end up sitting with friends. I've also been able to arrange the seating so that after dinner, there will be empty spots at each table so the bridal party can go join their spouses/dates for the rest of the evenig.
Posted by Erikan73[/QUOTE]

Sorry but it's still rude to your WP.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:412fd942-dbd5-4440-acc9-64b7105559e2">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too? : Sorry but it's still rude to your WP.
Posted by HobokenBride2012[/QUOTE]

I do understand where you are coming from with that it's rude. But one problem I run into is that one of the GM his significant other was going to eat at a table w/his kids to keep an eye on them during dinner. I also have a GM who is coming alone, another GM & a BM who are just bringing casual friends. For the GM that has the kids, do I let the kids join us at the head table or tell her because you have kids you can't sit at the head table while everyone else has their date? I thought that seemed rude

rsanna

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:88673fdc-f5d1-4178-9c50-829923f6efb1">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too? : I do understand where you are coming from with that it's rude. But one problem I run into is that one of the GM his significant other was going to eat at a table w/his kids to keep an eye on them during dinner. I also have a GM who is coming alone, another GM & a BM who are just bringing casual friends. For the GM that has the kids, do I let the kids join us at the head table or tell her because you have kids you can't sit at the head table while everyone else has their date? I thought that seemed rude
Posted by Erikan73[/QUOTE]

You can do a head table with just the two of you and your parents and siblings (and SOs).  You could do a head table with parents, and MOH & BM (and SOs).  You can also just do a sweetheart table or sit at a normal table with your guests.  There is also the option of a king's table, but I don't know if that would work for you.

I know it seems like it is just dinner, but they will be separated from their SOs (and in this case children) for most of the day before that (getting ready, pictures, ceremony).   Personally, I have only seen a head table once and it was super awkward because they were really separated from everyone else (on a stage where you had to go all the way around, or awkwardly climb up/jump down to get there).

cwaggoner07

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:8bdf53ab-e834-41ba-b687-72c93d744284">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]Yes!  I attended a wedding once with my FI and he was in the WP and sat at the WP table.  I was stuck at a table with a bunch of people I didn't know.  The dinner really sucked.
Posted by JoanE2012[/QUOTE]

This happened to me at an OOT wedding and it suuuuuucked because I knew no one.

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:88673fdc-f5d1-4178-9c50-829923f6efb1">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too? : I do understand where you are coming from with that it's rude. But one problem I run into is that one of the GM his significant other was going to eat at a table w/his kids to keep an eye on them during dinner. I also have a GM who is coming alone, another GM & a BM who are just bringing casual friends. For the GM that has the kids, do I let the kids join us at the head table or tell her because you have kids you can't sit at the head table while everyone else has their date? I thought that seemed rude
Posted by Erikan73[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I would scrap the head table.  I think they're outdated, anyway, but in this case, it especially does not make sense.  Have a sweetheart table, or sit with your family or your MOH and best man and their dates.  Sit the rest of the bridal party at tables together or at multiple tables with people they know and like.  
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cma212

I cannot decide wether to do a head table or just a sweetheart table.  I have been to a few weddings where they did a sweetheart table, but still had their wedding party sit together.  I've also participated in a wedding where I sat at the headtable and my FI has sat at a random table.  I feel this way, if you want a head table its your day no one elses.  All you have to do is eat dinner there.  After dinner is offer you can move around and do whatever you want.  I live in Pennsylvania and have been to plenty of weddings with headtables.

rsanna

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:d277a5bf-967a-4c29-b3b5-1ffc940d39d5">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I cannot decide wether to do a head table or just a sweetheart table.  I have been to a few weddings where they did a sweetheart table, but still had their wedding party sit together.  I've also participated in a wedding where I sat at the headtable and my FI has sat at a random table.  I feel this way, if you want a head table its your day no one elses.  All you have to do is eat dinner there.  After dinner is offer you can move around and do whatever you want.  I live in Pennsylvania and have been to plenty of weddings with headtables.
Posted by cma212[/QUOTE]

Yeah except for the, I dunno, severeal hours before the dinner even starts that someone would be separated from their date. People have to get ready, and may be getting ready with you.  Pictures will take a few hours, even if you don't do them all before the ceremony, there is still the cocktail hour that people will be separated for each other. So even before dinner you are still looking at at least 4 hours where the most important to you are separated from the most important people to them.

The party line is as soon as you invite other people it stops being just about you.  But I don't even care about that.  It is treating your guests with respect.  Sitting someone away from someone they love on a day that is supposed to be all about love is one of the rudest and dumbest ideas. 

gurrlballa10

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:d277a5bf-967a-4c29-b3b5-1ffc940d39d5">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I cannot decide wether to do a head table or just a sweetheart table.  I have been to a few weddings where they did a sweetheart table, but still had their wedding party sit together.  I've also participated in a wedding where I sat at the headtable and my FI has sat at a random table.  I feel this way, if you want a head table its your day no one elses.  All you have to do is eat dinner there.  After dinner is offer you can move around and do whatever you want.  I live in Pennsylvania and have been to plenty of weddings with headtables.
Posted by cma212[/QUOTE]

It's not JUST dinner.  It's the multiple hours before dinner that everyone is not with their SO. 

holidaytiltomorrow

I think that they can sit elsewhere. I have never seen a wedding table where everyone's dates where up there too. They should have all met at least at your rehearsal, so they could all sit together if they don't know other people that are at your wedding. This is my plan.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:98dcdee2-ac79-4cce-b648-15445ecb0087">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I think that they can sit elsewhere. I have never seen a wedding table where everyone's dates where up there too. They should have all met at least at your rehearsal, so they could all sit together if they don't know other people that are at your wedding. This is my plan.
Posted by holidaytiltomorrow[/QUOTE]

<div>And it's rude. Just because you've never seen a wedding without a head table does not make it right. The only thing that will come of this is offended WP and their significant others/+1's.</div>

TLC1983

I have been to three weddings where either I, or my SO were in the wedding and we were split up. I had no idea anyone allowed +1's at the head table but I think it's a MUCH more considerate idea.
I was in a wedding once where I had to travel across the country for a childhood friend. My current best friend was nice enough to go on the trip with me and she had to be seated with people neither of us had ever met in our lives. I ended up pulling up a chair for her at the end of the head table during mealtime and we wandered around together most of the night, but I felt aweful.

mabapunta

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_bridal-or-escort-table-do-their-dates-sit-with-you-too?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:d810ee75-0d1e-4c10-b0ea-7ddbbdb86469Post:8b513c62-d5ef-4dc7-888d-cb3d957d0a72">Re: Bridal or escort table.. do their dates sit with you too?</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm not having people's +1 sit at the head table with them. But luckily for me, the +1 know enough people that are being invited that they will actually end up sitting with friends. I've also been able to arrange the seating so that after dinner, there will be empty spots at each table so the bridal party can go join their spouses/dates for the rest of the evenig.
Posted by Erikan73[/QUOTE]

Ditto. The WP are college or work friends of ours for the most part. Their significant others know other friends of ours and will be seated with them. Plus not all of our WP has significant others, so it would be pretty lopsided. And I don't think I've ever been to a wedding where non-WP members sat at the head table.

bridalmarch

Yes, please. I was MOH for my best friend's wedding and she had a WP table without plus ones. FI sat with BFF's 90 year old grandmother for three hours.