A month or 2 ago, I posted on this board asking about WP Seating. Before coming to this site, I had only ever known weddings to have head tables where the WP sat, and their SO's usually sat at the friends table. When I saw that this was considered impolite, I wanted to ask what people thought.
The response was basically that you should not split up the WP, or anyone for that matter, from their SO's, even just during dinner. A wedding is a celebration of love, so splitting up those with a SO just for the sake of a tradition around here, would contradict the very reason everyone is together.
I listened to the advice, but still thought I would check with some of my BM's to see what they thought, and if they would prefer a Sweet Heart table, and then 2 round tables that would accommodate our WP, plus their SO's. I was advised on here that they probably wouldn't be so up front with me to tell me what they preferred, and might just go along with my original plan to get along.
I decided I would take the advice given from posters on here and have a SH table with my MOH and her BF and the BM and his FI sitting with FI and I, and then the table to my side with my BM's and their SO's and his GM at a table on his side with the same. My FI didn't mind the idea and had also never heard of it.
When we told our WP they were surprised and really happy. They also had never heard of a SH table (maybe it's an Ontario thing?), but were pleased that the ones with a SO would be able to enjoy the night together.
Basically, I came into the WP seating planning with a mentality of "It's just the dinner they'll be separate, they can spend the rest of the night together", and because of the thoughtful advice, realized it's not just the dinner, but the ceremony and photos that they spend apart. I'm really happy I made this decision, and urge anyone who is contemplating this to remember that everyone will have a much better time if your guests are happy and comfortable with where they are.
Thanks guys!