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Head Table Help

SoonToBeSmith0512SoonToBeSmith0512 member
Third Anniversary 25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
in Wedding Reception Forum
Hello!

I'm currently working through the seating chart and need some thoughts on how to handle the head table. My venue is an old theater with a ground level and mezzanine, both of which we will use to seat guests. The U-shaped mezzanine looks over the dance floor towards a stage, so ground-level seats will be directly under mezzanine seats. The stage is not an option for the head table since we'll have a 12-piece band playing the full reception. So the options for a head table/sweetheart table are -

1. In front of the stage on the dance floor - would need to be moved prior to the dance floor opening, but our first dance will be as soon as we walk in so we'd also lose part of the dance floor for that.
2. Somewhere among the other tables on either the ground floor, where mezzanine guests would not be able to see, or on the mezzanine, where ground-level guests would not be able to see. 

I think my preference would be to sit somewhere among the guest tables, probably the closest table to the stage on the ground-level, but I don't want the guests on the mezzanine to feel shafted that they can't see the head table. Do people even care about that?! 

If I were a guest in this situation, I probably wouldn't care that I couldn't see the head table, but I'm not sure if that's a big deal to some people.

What are everyone's thoughts?

Thanks!
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Re: Head Table Help

  • SoonToBeSmith0512SoonToBeSmith0512 member
    Third Anniversary 25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    charlotte989875 said:
    SoonToBeSmith0512 said:
    Hello!

    I'm currently working through the seating chart and need some thoughts on how to handle the head table. My venue is an old theater with a ground level and mezzanine, both of which we will use to seat guests. The U-shaped mezzanine looks over the dance floor towards a stage, so ground-level seats will be directly under mezzanine seats. The stage is not an option for the head table since we'll have a 12-piece band playing the full reception. So the options for a head table/sweetheart table are -

    1. In front of the stage on the dance floor - would need to be moved prior to the dance floor opening, but our first dance will be as soon as we walk in so we'd also lose part of the dance floor for that.
    2. Somewhere among the other tables on either the ground floor, where mezzanine guests would not be able to see, or on the mezzanine, where ground-level guests would not be able to see. 

    I think my preference would be to sit somewhere among the guest tables, probably the closest table to the stage on the ground-level, but I don't want the guests on the mezzanine to feel shafted that they can't see the head table. Do people even care about that?! 

    If I were a guest in this situation, I probably wouldn't care that I couldn't see the head table, but I'm not sure if that's a big deal to some people.

    What are everyone's thoughts?

    Thanks!
    Do you need to use both levels for seating? I think the best option would be to seat everyone on the ground floor so no one is missing out on any of the action. Then use the mezzanine for people to go up, walk around, have some cocktail tables up there if people want to hang out. But otherwise half of your guests are kind of separated from the party. 

    Its not that people feel “shafted” if they can’t see the head table, but you’re why they are there, YKWIM? Additionally if the dance floor is down they’re then they are away from that, too. 
    We do need to use both the ground level and mezzanine for seating. The ground level only seats about 100 comfortably, and we'll have close to 200 at our wedding. 
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  • flantasticflantastic member
    Knottie Warrior 2500 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    SoonToBeSmith0512 said:
    We do need to use both the ground level and mezzanine for seating. The ground level only seats about 100 comfortably, and we'll have close to 200 at our wedding.
    In that case, I'd say being able to see the head table may be a key aspect of making those guests feel like they're not literally "second tier."

    I had a similar venue, but didn't use the mezzanine area, and my preference was to sit at a normal table with my siblings/SOs among the guest tables, so I get that. But I've also been a guest in a secondary room at a multi-room venue, and being able to see what was going on with the reception would have greatly improved the experience of that wedding.

    If anything happens while you're seated, like toasts, the mezzanine guests are going to want to see both the person giving the toast and the couple reacting to it, and they'll be hurt if it seems like you didn't care about their ability to see it.

    I'd recommend a sweetheart table, since the bridal party and their SOs don't necessarily want to be on display with you, and you won't have much time to converse with them during dinner anyway. Let them sit with othe people they know. Then be sure that anyone who's offered a toast either comes up next to you or on stage with the band to give it.
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    What caused you to select this venue in the first place? 

    When we searched for venues, we went with a prepared guest count.  When we narrowed our choices, we did so by visualizing exactly how the venue would be set up for the evening. 

    I am trying to understand why you would choose a venue that already divides your guests in half for dinner, and now has the potential for half of them to be even further separated from the guests of honor.

    You need to do anything and everything to make your guests feel as welcome and included as possible.  Of the options mentioned, your only choice is option 1.  Make the upper level the dancing area. 
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  • SoonToBeSmith0512SoonToBeSmith0512 member
    Third Anniversary 25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    flantastic said:
    SoonToBeSmith0512 said:
    We do need to use both the ground level and mezzanine for seating. The ground level only seats about 100 comfortably, and we'll have close to 200 at our wedding.
    In that case, I'd say being able to see the head table may be a key aspect of making those guests feel like they're not literally "second tier."

    I had a similar venue, but didn't use the mezzanine area, and my preference was to sit at a normal table with my siblings/SOs among the guest tables, so I get that. But I've also been a guest in a secondary room at a multi-room venue, and being able to see what was going on with the reception would have greatly improved the experience of that wedding.

    If anything happens while you're seated, like toasts, the mezzanine guests are going to want to see both the person giving the toast and the couple reacting to it, and they'll be hurt if it seems like you didn't care about their ability to see it.

    I'd recommend a sweetheart table, since the bridal party and their SOs don't necessarily want to be on display with you, and you won't have much time to converse with them during dinner anyway. Let them sit with othe people they know. Then be sure that anyone who's offered a toast either comes up next to you or on stage with the band to give it.
    This is a very good point. I definitely do not want any of the guests to feel "second tier." 
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  • ILoveBeachMusicILoveBeachMusic member
    Tenth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    I also agree with the idea of a sweetheart table. It is annoying as a guest to not be able to see the couple when they are being toasted and/or the person(s) giving the toast. I attended a wedding like that, I it was not as enjoyable as other weddings when the toasting was going on.
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  • MRDCleMRDCle member
    500 Love Its Fourth Anniversary 100 Comments Name Dropper
    Definitely sweetheart table where all guests (or as many as possible)  can see you. 
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  • ahoyweddingahoywedding member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Second Anniversary First Answer
    edited March 2018
    Sweetheart table, in front of the stage where everyone can see you. So it has to be moved for dancing, no big deal. You won't sit much anyway during your reception, and if you need to you can always grab a seat at another table for a minute. 

    I do agree though that it's kind of crappy to put half your guests "away" from the action. Will they have to walk to that level with their food, drinks, purse, jacket, etc? 

    edit: I can't spell this morning
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  • SoonToBeSmith0512SoonToBeSmith0512 member
    Third Anniversary 25 Love Its 10 Comments Name Dropper
    edited March 2018
    ahoywedding said:
    Sweetheart table, in front of the stage where everyone can see you. So it has to be moved for dancing, no big deal. You won't sit much anyway during your reception, and if you need to you can always grab a seat at another table for a minute. 

    I do agree though that it's kind of crappy to put half your guests "away" from the action. Will they have to walk to that level with their food, drinks, purse, jacket, etc? 

    edit: I can't spell this morning
    We actually will have a second buffet and satellite bar on the second level. I’d never want my guests to have to haul a plate of food up stairs, potentially in heels! And we’re hoping that after dinner the action is on the dance floor for all! 

    Sounds like a sweetheart table is the way to go though!

    edit: typo 
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  • MandyMostMandyMost member
    Knottie Warrior 1000 Comments 500 Love Its Name Dropper
    I'd definitely do the sweetheart table on the dance floor. I don't think you have another option. You can skip the intros and postpone the first dance until after the dinner if you'd like, then you can use the whole dance floor (and no one cares about intros anyway). Make sure anyone giving toasts has to come up to the dance floor where they can be seen from everywhere also. I'd have a microphone stand on the dance floor so it's obvious where they're supposed to come stand. 

    I'd make sure your guests are not divided where all the "important guests" are on the first floor, and all the others are on the 2nd floor. Sure, keep the parents on the first floor, but maybe put the bridal party on the 2nd floor. I'd also strongly encourage table visits (even if you're doing a receiving line) and spending the bulk of that time on the 2nd floor. 

    Also, I think you need to face facts that some of your 2nd floor guests are just going to camp out at their tables for most of the night and maybe leave early because they don't feel part of the action if most people are downstairs dancing. There's always people that don't dance at wedding, and also guests who take lots of breaks between songs...if these people are sitting on the second floor they might just feel separated and ready to leave. I probably would. If I was sitting on the first floor, I'd be up and down dancing and sitting...on the second floor it would be lots of sitting and then leaving. 

    During the dancing part after dinner, you and your husband should still plan to stop dancing and visit the 2nd floor at least a few times. 
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  • MobKazMobKaz member
    Knottie Warrior 5000 Comments 500 Love Its 5 Answers
    MandyMost said:
    I'd definitely do the sweetheart table on the dance floor. I don't think you have another option. You can skip the intros and postpone the first dance until after the dinner if you'd like, then you can use the whole dance floor (and no one cares about intros anyway). Make sure anyone giving toasts has to come up to the dance floor where they can be seen from everywhere also. I'd have a microphone stand on the dance floor so it's obvious where they're supposed to come stand. 

    I'd make sure your guests are not divided where all the "important guests" are on the first floor, and all the others are on the 2nd floor. Sure, keep the parents on the first floor, but maybe put the bridal party on the 2nd floor. I'd also strongly encourage table visits (even if you're doing a receiving line) and spending the bulk of that time on the 2nd floor. 

    Also, I think you need to face facts that some of your 2nd floor guests are just going to camp out at their tables for most of the night and maybe leave early because they don't feel part of the action if most people are downstairs dancing. There's always people that don't dance at wedding, and also guests who take lots of breaks between songs...if these people are sitting on the second floor they might just feel separated and ready to leave. I probably would. If I was sitting on the first floor, I'd be up and down dancing and sitting...on the second floor it would be lots of sitting and then leaving. 

    During the dancing part after dinner, you and your husband should still plan to stop dancing and visit the 2nd floor at least a few times. 
    Agree.  I love to dance but take breaks to refresh with a drink and chat for a bit.  I am not going to run up and down the stairs every time I want a break from dancing.  My only option is to schlepp everything from my upstairs table to the main floor and "crash" someone else's table with my personal items and beverages. 
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