Those of you who are NOT doing a sweet heart table

ginabean82

My Fi and I really didn't want to sit at a sweet heart table.  Instead we want to sit at a table with our bridal party.  However, I'm not sure how that works.  Where do we sit our bridal party's dates?  We only have 3 bm and 3 gm, and all of them are either married or dating someone.  That would be wayy to many people to sit at one table.  Not only that, (and I dont mean to come off b*tchy so please dont bash me), but we aren't that friendly with everyone's significant other's so it would also be a little weird having those people sitting with us at our head table.  I hope this makes sense.  What did you guys do about seating?  

mbcdefg

We had a small bridal party, so we had everyone and their dates (one didn't bring a date) sitting at one large head table. 9 people in total.

PLEASE don't split up the dates. I get your reasoning about not wanting a huge head table, but don't make the dates sit elsewhere because of it. Would you really want to sit apart from your FI at someone else's wedding? I get that people can make it through one night without their date, but there's really no point in doing so in the first place.

Sit with the Best Man and MOH and their dates, or both sets of parents, or your siblings and their dates. And seat the other BP members and their dates with other guests that they know. They won't need to be right next to you for the whole party ... if there's a toast or something that they need to be front-and-center for, they can easily get up from their seats and come forward.

And don't worry about not knowing the dates very well. You won't have a lot of time to talk to everyone anyway, even the people you're really close to. You'll be dancing or taking pictures or walking around and talking to the guests. We only really sat at the head table for the toasts (when you won't be having a conversation with anyone anyway) and dinner (where the conversation was mainly, "How does the chicken taste?"). The bridal party and dates were only really seated during those times, too ... otherwise they were dancing, hanging out at the bar or visiting with their own friends scattered across the room.

jcg98

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_those-of-you-who-are-not-doing-a-sweet-heart-table?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:e2dd08a6-52c6-4b67-a663-68ddccba9cf5Post:c828387f-1f6e-4a4f-a785-777d6c3d0e82">Re: Those of you who are NOT doing a sweet heart table</a>:
[QUOTE]
<strong>Sit with the Best Man and MOH and their dates</strong>, or both sets of parents, or your siblings and their dates. And seat the other BP members and their dates with other guests that they know. They won't need to be right next to you for the whole party
Posted by mbcdefg[/QUOTE]

This is what we did, at a rectangular table on one side of the dance floor facing the DJ, with round tables for guests on either side. The rest of the BP and their dates sat at a round table right next to us.  I agree that you should try to avoid splitting the BP from their dates.  Put yourself in their shoes and think about what you would want if the positions were reversed.

Like PP said, you really won't be sitting much at all, except for toasts and to eat some dinner (although I was anxious to get up and visit some tables at that point.)

ETA: clarification

niolani21

I've seen it done where the couple sat with the entire bridal party and their dates (I think there were 4 BM and 4 GM so a bit larger).  But they didn't sit at a round table, it was a straight long table like on a dais.  It must've made conversation difficult, but it looked nice.

sgdc2011

Don't split up the dates, they won't be happy.

They may be able to accomodate 14 at a table if all 6 have dates plus the two of you.
Ask if they have any tables to do that, I know ours had 2 14 person tables, but they had to be situated in a certain spot.  Honestly, your not sitting long enough to make a difference.

Giaspo

We did this. The venue put two tables together to make one long table. It was us, the BP and their dates, for a total of 14 (two didn't bring dates). DH and I sat in the middle with me next to my sister and boyfriend, and best man and wife on other side of H. The rest of the party sat around the table. I LOVED it as I wanted to share the night with those closest to me. And sgdc2011 is right....we didn't sit very long but enjoyed it when we did. I didn't know 2 of the wives but it was fine. EDIT: oh if you do this be sure to use low centerpieces on your table so they don't obstruct everyone's view during speeches, etc. We just did 3 sets of low bushy flowers in low vases with candles.

shoebie

I think its rude to split them up from their s/o's especially if you guys are not buddy buddy with them I am sure they already will feel uncomfortable at your reception to begin with then being split from their wife/husband/bf/gf etc just does not seem right and will probably make your wp un comfortable too. 

ginabean82

Thanks for the suggestions girls.  I am not going to split up dates.  I will call my venue to see if they have a larger table and fit everyone on it.  If not, we will just do a sweet heart table.  Thanks again!