Table/Seating Options - Opinions Wanted!

MichelleBee773

My fiance and I are getting married at the Webb Barn in Wethersfield. The venue comes with 42'' round tables and horribly ugly conference-type chairs. We are going to pay the $200 storage fee to have the chairs stored and rent white wooden chairs that are much more appropriate for our 'rustic' style wedding. 

Here is my current dilemma. Should we rent different tables? I love the idea of longer 'family-style' tables, or even just larger round tables. We are on a tight budget, and adding tables into the equation is going to up our spending by $100-$150. In addition to the initial increase, the florist we are working with explained that long tables tend to require more flowers so our expenses would increase again if we chose to rent long tables.

At first I hated the idea of 6 people at a table. I thought it was weird, but now I am starting to almost like it. We are going for a non-traditional wedding and perhaps the small tables will be fun and 'family-style' in their own way. There is also a voice in my head saying "who cares! A good wedding has people on their feet dancing more than they are sitting at their table!!: Let me know what you think! 

calindi

I think small tables are fine.  It's more intimate, easier for people to make conversation with all guests at the table.  I've tried shouting across the centerpiece at someone seated on the other side of an 8-10 person table before, and it doesn't work well!  If it's cheaper everything together (I was thinking more centerpieces with smaller tables, more linens?) then just stick with the smaller tables!

deanna5776

i vote for smaller....

i dont want people at the tables at all for my wedding ....i want them out on the dance floor partying with me!!!!!

so i wouldnt stress to much!!!!!

PeachesKFG

I say small tables with no additional cost! Since you are already springing for the pretty chairs, anyways - I actually think the small tables are more charming. Also, this might help ease your mind about the 6-person tables - I am having the opposite problem right now! I have tables of 10, and I'm having such a hard time coming up with groups of 10 that will fit at a table together. I've done a rough draft seating chart, and I can't tell you how many 6-person and 8-person groups I have...filling up a table of 10 is harder than it sounds! I would embrace it if I were you I also agree with the fact that: A) it's your wedding, so people should sit where you tell them to sit and be happy about it, and they should be on their feet anyways! I have been to some weddings where I am seated at a table with people I don't really know, and I always end up getting up and mingling with other people around the room. Small tables or large tables, I think people will go where they want to go anyways.

PeachesKFG

P.S. - If you guys DO decide to rent tables, and you don't have a rental place in mind yet, I know of a few that my Mom has used for various events at her house. I think they are pretty reasonable  (one of them is that place in Hamden on Route 10 that always has that crazy windsock guy out front)

MichelleBee773

Thanks for the input everyone! I think we are going to go with the small tables. It will be cheaper in the end. Our caternig quote includes linens and he told me he won't change the price for different table sizes, which is great. Even if we  use 15 small tables, we will still not need as many flowers as we would if we did larger tables or long tables because the size of the centerpieces will be much smaller. 

I am feeling much better about the decision! My fiance and I went over a preliminary seating chart and 6 people to a table actually works well. Phew. Another issue fixed. Thanks again for you help!

herb0622

We did smaller tables at our wedding, 6-8 people each. I hated the idea of jamming 10-12 adults at a table and them being uncomfortable while eating and just looking like they’re packed like sardines. The layout looked much nicer with 6-8 at a table too.