One decision that is so personal to every wedding is whether to sit with your bridal party only, your bridal party and their plus one, or a sweetheart table with just you and your new spouse. Each has its pros and cons – it’s totally up to you with what you decide.
HEAD TABLE BENEFITS
You are surrounded by your people
Your bridesmaids and groomsmen are some of the most important people in your lives, so of course you’d want to sit closest to them during dinner. The best man and maid of honor are right there for toasts, making those that much more special when given. You’re able to make these people feel so loved by honoring them with a seat at the table. Not to mention that enjoying the conversations with your crew can help put you at ease for the rest of the evening.
It can be a focal point of the reception
How you decorate the head table can elevate the focus of the reception decor and be a great photo opportunity! This is a chance to show off some unique elements of your wedding day, such as repurposing the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces. Adding photos of you and your bridal party to the tablescape, or having different place settings and napkin colors than the guest tables is also a good idea. If the venue allows, a hanging floral or greenery piece over the head table always makes a statement, and edison bulb lights add that extra romantic feel.
At BRIK Venue, we love hanging floral arrangements and lights over the head table – it makes the space look so dreamy at night!
You are more approachable for guests
It seems like being with all your friends at one big head table will make you less approachable, but not at all! When guests see you talking and laughing with your friends and family members, it makes you seem less cut off from the rest of the guests, and actually makes you more approachable since you’re already engaged in lively conversations. Guests feel comfortable coming up to you to hug your neck and give you all the well wishes.
SWEETHEART TABLE BENEFITS
Alone time with your spouse
With everyone wanting your time throughout the wedding day, a sweetheart table gives you and your new spouse the opportunity to sit down together and have a quiet moment to relax and eat. A good wedding planner will ensure that no guests interrupt this sweet time together before the party begins. It’s a time for the two of you to take it all in – the flowers, the candles, the lighting, the cake, the guests. You can look out from your sweetheart table and see all the people who love you and came to celebrate with you.
At BRIK Venue, we have a few options that you can choose from for a sweetheart table, should you decide this option is for you.
Stand up and mingle with guests
A sweetheart table gives you a chance to be alone, but also the opportunity to get up and work the room! You’re able to chat with your guests on your terms, and it makes them feel so special when the newlyweds come up to them. One trend we’ve seen recently during receptions is the newlywed couple taking a group photo with each table of guests, that way they’ve gotten a photo with everyone at the wedding – so fun!
Bridal party can sit with their family or plus one
Head tables can get rather crowded when you have your bridal party and their plus one sitting with you. Consider letting them sit with their family or plus one at a different table, where they can mingle with other guests during the reception and still enjoy being part of the bridal party. If you start your reception with your first dance as newlyweds, have the bridal party enter first and stand around the dance floor while you dance with your new spouse. The love you’ll feel from them will radiate across the dance floor and make that time so sweet. This way they are still a part of the big moments, all while being able to sit with their families and plus ones.
When it comes to making the decision of head tables versus a sweetheart table, it’s totally up to you and what you prefer. Keep in mind that you’ll most likely only be sitting down during the dinner and toasts portion of the reception, and then hopefully tearing up the dance floor the rest of the night!
