Every Reception needs a Head Table. It is the place where the Wedding party sits and eats whether you serve a full course meal or just appetizers. You and your new mate also need a designated place to sit and relax, if just for a few moments.
You must decide how many will sit at the table with you. Usually it contains the Bride, Groom, Maid of Honor, and Best Man (with or without a partner), the “Immediate Wedding Party”.
It then can be extended to include Bridesmaids, Groomsmen (with or without partners), Parents and Grandparents. Normally, the Parents, Grandparents and other close Family have their own tables directly near the Head Table-marked with a Reserved sign. Other tables closest to the Head Table may also seat the partners of Wedding party, Flower Girls and their Parents, Ring Bearer and their Parents. The size and shape of the Head Table will depend on amount of people in Wedding Party, Reception site constraints, and budgets.
You must decide how many will sit at the table with you. Usually it contains the Bride, Groom, Maid of Honor, and Best Man (with or without a partner), the “Immediate Wedding Party”.
It then can be extended to include Bridesmaids, Groomsmen (with or without partners), Parents and Grandparents. Normally, the Parents, Grandparents and other close Family have their own tables directly near the Head Table-marked with a Reserved sign. Other tables closest to the Head Table may also seat the partners of Wedding party, Flower Girls and their Parents, Ring Bearer and their Parents. The size and shape of the Head Table will depend on amount of people in Wedding Party, Reception site constraints, and budgets.
When considering seating a large Wedding party (eight or more) at the Head Table you have special decorating considerations. These large table or tables will require more decoration. The size of the Reception site can influence then shape of Head Table. Also, the table sizes (rectangle or round) available to you for use. Most Rental agencies, hotels, halls and churches have collapsible banquet and round tables in various sizes and shapes.
Banquet Tables: Round Tables
36” x 36”: card table- seats 2-4 36 inch- seats 2-4
30” x 4 ft seats 4-6 48 inch- seats 6-8
30” x 6 ft seats 8 60 inch- seats 8-10
30” x 8 ft seats 10 66 inch-seats 10
72 inch- seats 10-12
Other tables that are frequently used at the Reception are the Umbrella Table, a 42 inch round which seats 6, used out of doors with a umbrella for shade.
The Crescent or Serpentine, 30” x 30” used in pairs or 4 to make an open circle or a ring, each can seat about 3 people. Half rounds in 60 inch and 72 inch, used for Sweet Heart and Cake tables. And the Cap or 1/4 round, 30” x 30”, for the end of a table.
A Very Romantic touch is to seat the Bride and Groom at a small round, half round or heart shaped table alone, known as the Sweet Heart Table. With the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen seated in tables either behind or near them.
Also, consider placing one or two chairs in front of the Bride and Groom to encourage friends and family to stop for a few minutes and chat with the New Couple. Find signs and ideas on Pinterest and other internet sites.
Popular at today's Wedding Reception is to place the Cake Table in front of the Head Table, on a 36 inch round or half round.
Banquet Tables: Round Tables
36” x 36”: card table- seats 2-4 36 inch- seats 2-4
30” x 4 ft seats 4-6 48 inch- seats 6-8
30” x 6 ft seats 8 60 inch- seats 8-10
30” x 8 ft seats 10 66 inch-seats 10
72 inch- seats 10-12
Other tables that are frequently used at the Reception are the Umbrella Table, a 42 inch round which seats 6, used out of doors with a umbrella for shade.
The Crescent or Serpentine, 30” x 30” used in pairs or 4 to make an open circle or a ring, each can seat about 3 people. Half rounds in 60 inch and 72 inch, used for Sweet Heart and Cake tables. And the Cap or 1/4 round, 30” x 30”, for the end of a table.
A Very Romantic touch is to seat the Bride and Groom at a small round, half round or heart shaped table alone, known as the Sweet Heart Table. With the Bridesmaids and Groomsmen seated in tables either behind or near them.
Also, consider placing one or two chairs in front of the Bride and Groom to encourage friends and family to stop for a few minutes and chat with the New Couple. Find signs and ideas on Pinterest and other internet sites.
Popular at today's Wedding Reception is to place the Cake Table in front of the Head Table, on a 36 inch round or half round.
Seating people on the ends of the Head Table may sometimes be necessary, but it is more visual attractive to increase the Head Table size or decrease the amount of those seated so that the entire Wedding party faces the Guests. An exception exists with round tables.
Always be sure to have the table or tables skirted. Table cloths can also be used but the skirting on the Head Table gives it a special polished look. White is your safest color, but many rental stores, hotels and some halls offer other colors to chose from to fit Your Wedding color needs. Bring in more color with table cloths and napkins.
Always be sure to have the table or tables skirted. Table cloths can also be used but the skirting on the Head Table gives it a special polished look. White is your safest color, but many rental stores, hotels and some halls offer other colors to chose from to fit Your Wedding color needs. Bring in more color with table cloths and napkins.
Not all Brides wish the standard long Head Table, which can dominate the room. They wish a less grand setup. This can be achieved by abandoning the long banquet table setup and using a round table to seat the Wedding party. Serpentine tables can add an imaginative touch by curving the Head Table, or create a ring.
Head Table arrangements can be found in four basic designs; 1. The Long and Low- 20” to 36” of Bridal flowers and greens, keeping to the edge of the table with a few greens to hang over edge. Bride and Bridesmaids may lay their bouquets along each side facing the Guests. 2. The Cascade-same dimensions as the long and low except that the center area spills out over the edge to cascades over toward the floor. 3. Scattered Flowers-in this design cut flowers, petals and greens are layered in a random pattern along the edge of the table, with out floral foam or water. This design can be used in conjunction with both long and low, and cascade arrangements. 4. Bridal Bouquet Arrangement-this arrangement is specially designed to accept the Bridal bouquet. It can be shaped like a long and low or cascade. Done in greens alone or with Wedding flowers. The arrangement is made around the Bridal Bouquet, and is completed when the Bride puts her bouquet in to the arrangement. The only flaw is the fact that when you arrive at the Reception the arrangement has a dark area in it until the Bouquet is added. A fine place to place Throw Bouquet. Bridesmaids can line their Bouquets along the edge of the table with votive candles between. Some Weddings which feature a candle/ altar piece can reuse it as a Head Table piece for Brides Bouquet. Holders for Bridesmaids Bouquets can also be used, although not as large, on Head Table or for use on Family tables. Presentation and Hand Tied Bouquets present a challenge when designing this type of Head Table piece. As they will lay on to the arrangement rather than slip in to it. Another way to reuse Bouquets at the Head Table is with Bouquet Clamps. These ingenious devices clap over the skirting and the edge of table. The Bouquet slips into a small metal cylinder attached to the clamp. Although made for Bouquet holders, they can be modified to hold Hand Tied Bouquets as well. You can combine the Bridal Bouquet arrangement and the clamps together on the same table for outstanding affects. Garlands are a favorite for Head Tables and Sweet Heart Tables. They add to the festive atmosphere, working well in any of the Wedding Themes. Two designs emerge: the Table Wrap, in which the garland or tulle is kept to the top edge of table or wrapped around the front. And the Drop Loop or Swag, in which the garland loops down the length of the table. The drop loop will use twice as much materials than the table wrap. Tulle, ribbon or fabrics, draped across the Head Table can be a finishing touch on the Table. The lacy appearance softens the hard lines and spills gracefully down the front of the table. For tulle or lace garland swag use, try placing rose petals, flower heads, short lengths of miniature ivy or other greens used in the Wedding, in the folds of the loops. When done in a ivory or white tulle it can be an inexpensive addition of color to the Head Table. Different types of garlands can be used. Fresh flowers and greens are very popular. However, silk flowers or silk greens like ivy, may be more budget conscious. Both can be enhanced with the addition of tulle or ribbons. Silk garlands can be hand-wired with fresh flowers like gardenias or another Wedding flower placed in to them once put in place. Use large focal flowers for best effect. The Bride and Bridesmaids Bouquets can be placed along the table length at the gathered points, either in clamps, arrangements or laid directly on to the table. Stagger the Bouquets between votive candles to fill the length of the table. If Bouquets are used elsewhere, flower clusters with ribbons can be used. A Special Touch of printed ribbons or confetti cards mixed in with the other ribbons make an unique addition or keepsake. Another item to be used at the Head Table can be the Pew bows, Pew Decorations or Arrangements brought from the Ceremony. Be sure to have corsage pins handy for attachment to skirting or table cloths. A Ribbon Wrap is a low-cost way to enhance the Head Table or any table at the Reception. Using a skirted table, a #40 ribbon (see Pew Bows) can be any color or texture, is pinned on to the table in wrap fashion over the gatherings of the table skirt, secured with corsage pins to skirting. A lace of the same size, a metallic ribbon, or a second ribbon (a #9) in another Wedding color can be used for more color and effect. The ribbon does not extend over the table so Bouquets and arrangements will sit flat or over lap the edge of table. The Ribbon Wrap can be combined with garlands or tulle drape. This ribbon wrap can be used on round tables as well. For Parents and Family tables it is a special touch to make the table stand out. If no skirting is used, the ribbon can be laid over the tablecloth extending down sides and cut to length of table cloth or longer if desired. Large ribbons, #40 and up, metallic mesh and laces can be used as runners down the length of rectangle or round tables. As can 6 to 9 inch metallic accent tulle. Be sure to secure ribbons at table ends with pins or tape when using indoors or outdoors. |
Candles and votive candles for late afternoon and evening Weddings adds a subdued glow to the tables. Be sure they donʼt interfere with arrangements or decorations. You will need to check with Reception site for any restrictions on candles and an open flame. Battery operated, flame less candles are now available in variety of sizes and can be programed to work with a remote control.
Either in candelabras or in arrangements taper candles can also provide height to the table, in sizes of 6” up to 25”.
Votive candles and holders lined along the Head Table in white, ivory or a Wedding color will bring attention to the Head Table. When working with candles decide on one, possibly two, colors and use it through out the Reception area.
Lighted fountains for large Head Tables can help fill the area and add dramatic effect.
A very popular addition to any table is Confetti. This includes rose petals, fresh or silk. In today's craft conscious world there are hundreds of choices to pick from with unlimited combinations. Be careful, many Reception sites have strict rules on confetti use. It can be very difficult to clean up. Although, it is more effective visually on the Guest Tables, it is a nice touch to include the Head Table. Remember to put extra Wedding Favors on the Head Table for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. And of course for Yourself. |