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Traditional wedding, does widowed MoG's new partner sit at top table?

106 replies

Blueslip · 22/06/2025 18:27

I'm the MoG, I don't know the answer and not sure what "feels" right. B&G have said the decision is mine and they're happy with whatever makes the day best for me.

DH died when DC had just become adults. Over the years I've often thought their weddings will be tough on all of us because their father would be absent, and whilst I'm thrilled for DS, I expect to find the day difficult. I have been seeing a new man for about a year and in many ways have moved on, but I still find the loss of my DC's dad very difficult.

New man is lovely, well liked by DC and makes a good effort with them, but it's in a relaxed uncle or friend of the family, who you don't see very often kind of way. He's not a material part of their lives, has never lived with them, doesn't live with me.

If he sits at the top table it will be as company for me/to balance the seating arrangements, rather than because he's significant in DS's life iyswim.

Fwiw, NM has much better social skills than me and can keep any conversation going, whereas I struggle with that at the best of times.

Otoh, I've no idea if this relationship is going to last (it's great atm, but I have no ambition to remarry, for example) and it doesn't seem quite right to give such significance to someone who's small part in DS's life could well be transient.

WWYD?

OP posts:
MidnightPatrol · 22/06/2025 19:34

IMO a partner of a year being in family group photos is probably a bit strange, as it’s pretty early days yet…

I don’t think his being at the top table really matters, unless he’s sitting next to the bride or something (which would then be v odd).

McCartneyOnTheHeath · 22/06/2025 19:35

If you've only been together for a year, how many times has he even met your son and his partner? IMO it's not appropriate for him to even attend the wedding. Problem solved!

Sofiewoo · 22/06/2025 19:36

Wadadli · 22/06/2025 19:31

For those saying you’ve only been together for a year: my husband and I married 363 days after our first date. According to some, if one of his children were getting married within that first year, I’d have been banished to the equivalent of Siberia - except in our case, it wouldn’t have been an issue

Have a round table as the top table instead of the traditional type, but at the top end of the room: you and he could sit opposite each other with your dad to your left

Not sitting in the groom’s fathers seat when they have probably only interacted a handful of times and the man is probably a near stranger to the couple hardly makes him banished!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/06/2025 19:37

People really get their knickers in a twist about weddings. In this day and age, surely people should just do what feels right?

For what it's worth, I think your son should either get rid of the 'top table' as others have suggested, or that the new man should be on it. And people saying make sure there are some photos without him seems a bit daft. If he stays in your life or not, he's in your life right now. Him being left out of photos doesn't erase that. Everybody will only really care about pictures of the bride and groom or pictures of themselves, anyway.

Blueslip · 22/06/2025 19:38

McCartneyOnTheHeath · 22/06/2025 19:35

If you've only been together for a year, how many times has he even met your son and his partner? IMO it's not appropriate for him to even attend the wedding. Problem solved!

Wow, well thankfully DS doesn't see it like that. He absolutely recognises I'll need someone to lean on that day.

OP posts:
tarheelbaby · 22/06/2025 19:38

I'd definitely have my current man by my side/in easy reach at top table, especially if he's good socially, but not in all the photos b/c who knows how things will roll.

Have him in a lovely photo with you and and another with you and the happy couple. That way you're covered: he's not in ALL the photos but you do have two nice ones of the day so that if he goes the distance you won't feel sad that he's not in any photos.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 22/06/2025 19:38

McCartneyOnTheHeath · 22/06/2025 19:35

If you've only been together for a year, how many times has he even met your son and his partner? IMO it's not appropriate for him to even attend the wedding. Problem solved!

This is ridiculous. He's her partner - she's the groom's mum. Of course he should attend.

ClaredeBear · 22/06/2025 19:38

You‘ve clearly done a lovely job with your children, which is evident as they want you to be comfortable. My family is full of second marriages and step parents, new partners, etc. I think the top table arrangement with your partner sounds absolutely fine. As others have said , there are no rules except the ones the bride and groom set. I think it’s ideal because you won’t be sat apart, which could be even more awkward. Everyone knows he’s there to support you anyway. I hope you have a beautiful day.

Coconutter24 · 22/06/2025 19:40

MyLov · 22/06/2025 19:09

Of course that is fine, he is just company for you. You shouldn’t have to sit on your own. Top table doesn’t really matter that much. I wouldn’t have him in the close family photos though. That’s not appropriate at this stage and it’s too early doors in the relationship - you don’t know that it’s going to last yet.

He isn’t company for OP because she said he will sit with moB so he won’t be sitting with her

Wadadli · 22/06/2025 19:41

Sofiewoo · 22/06/2025 19:36

Not sitting in the groom’s fathers seat when they have probably only interacted a handful of times and the man is probably a near stranger to the couple hardly makes him banished!

i suggest you read what I wrote again. You have conflated my two comments!

Allseeingallknowing · 22/06/2025 19:41

Last year we went to a wedding, and the bride and groom sat at their own table, and everyone else was mixed on other tables. One way to stop any offence!

Coconutter24 · 22/06/2025 19:42

Blueslip · 22/06/2025 19:05

Yes, but that leaves no one to sit with the MoB? We're only a small family. There's no one left from DH's side and the only male relative of any significance is my Dad, but then one GP at the top table but none of the others...?

Does it have to be a male that is of significance because your partner isn’t that is he? What about a sibling?

minnienono · 22/06/2025 19:45

For family group photos I would suggest you have them without him (you can have an additional one with but main ones without) i didn’t include partners in mine as there’s no guarantees

anon12345anon · 22/06/2025 19:47

Op, in my humble opinion, a wedding (+ the photos) are a snapshot of the B & G 's life, right there and then......

Take your partner, both sit at the top table, and have an absolutely fantastic day with the people who love you xx

ASongbirdAndAOldHat · 22/06/2025 19:47

Top table is a lot less significant than the photos.

If no one else would want the place and B&G are happy then definitely at the table- it is a big occasion for you as well.

Photos, I agree with a pp. One with him in and the rest without/ on the end (easy to crop out then)

Sofiewoo · 22/06/2025 19:47

Wadadli · 22/06/2025 19:41

i suggest you read what I wrote again. You have conflated my two comments!

Nope I responded to one single comment which was the one I quoted.

theresbeautyinwindysun · 22/06/2025 19:49

No way should some old-fashioned etiquette that clearly isn’t unduly significant to the bride and groom stop you choosing an option you have been given. Your son wants you to enjoy his wedding as much as possible because he loves you. Your new partner is a nice man everyone has positive feelings towards. If you would like him seated by you, please do that and enjoy your day.

Nanny0gg · 22/06/2025 19:50

Blueslip · 22/06/2025 18:45

Why not? I ask becuase I tend to agree with you, but I'm not sure why, and that leaves me (and him) sitting alone which doesn't feel right either.

Because it doesn't feel long enough.

Do you think this will go the distance? Be full partners/marry again? Do you think you will live together?

NewsdeskJC · 22/06/2025 19:50

Sit him with you.
Photos, he ducks out of/ you take one with both of you and b and g.

CopperWhite · 22/06/2025 19:50

If your son doesn’t mind and it would make the day easier for you then you have no reason to question it. Your late DH can still be acknowledged and respected in the speeches.

Livelovebehappy · 22/06/2025 19:51

It's about the bride and groom so I'd be tempted to not have him on the top table. Only because if it doesn't last or ends badly, it would always be a reminder when talking about the wedding that he was a significant person there. For the same reason I wouldn't include him in the photos. A 1 year relationship is so new.

ForFunGoose · 22/06/2025 19:52

I would absolutely have him sit with you at the top table. Swapping with in-laws is awkward and outdated I didn’t do it 30 years ago.

For photos I would let the photographer know the family dynamics and the bride and groom will probably decide with them the format of the photos.

Relax and enjoy the day OP
life is full of polarities, it is possible to include the living and the dead respectfully.

Wadadli · 22/06/2025 19:52

Sofiewoo · 22/06/2025 19:47

Nope I responded to one single comment which was the one I quoted.

Why did you tag me? I didn’t mention anyone being banished??

PowerStruggles · 22/06/2025 19:52

It’s only a year so I think it’s just not long enough.

mindutopia · 22/06/2025 19:53

As far as sitting at the top table, it’s just for you having someone to sit with, so yes that seems fine.

Family photos, no. General photos, yes. A photo of you as a couple, yes. But a guy you’ve been dating a year isn’t family. If he cheats on you in 6 months time and you have a horrible break up, you won’t want him in your DD’s wedding photos. My mum’s partner was in my wedding family photos (relationship of probably 8 years at that point). I definitely would prefer he wasn’t now.