Table plan dilemma

[pollysproggle]

We're not having a top table, it's a marquee with up to 10 round tables of 8.

Myself and DP will be on one table, we have two DC so they'll sit with us leaving 4 spaces at our table but for who??

My parents aren't together, Dad has a long term GF (18 years) and my mum is single. Mum is a bit of a bitter person against Dads GF with absolutely no reason, I don't really want them on the same table but I don't want my mum sitting on her own away from immediate family, she would be pissed! DP parents are together.

I have 3 bridesmaids and DP has his best man so they could sit with us however two bridesmaids have partners so they'd have to sit elsewhere but is that ok?

I'm really worried about where my mum sits without making her feel left out and without causing drama. Should I just put all parents and my dads GF on same table and let her deal with it?
There really is no reason for my mum not to like her, nothing happened and my mum was the one that left but there's still tension in the air on her part, I don't think anyone else gives a FF.
the alternatives are she sits with other family (cousins etc) or on our table but then I think Future MIL would be a bit miffed.
WWYD?

No answers for you I’m afraid, but I could have practically written this. No new partners involved but various combinations of people who won’t want to sit together, and combinations of people that don’t add up right without splitting obvious pairings up. Not really sure what we’re going to do but I’m watching this with interest!

Have your bridal party and kids on your table put their partners on another table it is fine I have been bridesmaid and Dh a best man and sitting on another table was fine. Can your mum sit with her family siblings or your siblings if she/you have any

When Dh was a best man I sat withdd and the grooms gran and family it was fine people chatted and it is just for dinner

Put your mum and DH parents on yours. Both mums on the table and yours has her grandchildren.

Dad and GF can be on a table next door with best man and bridesmaids and partners.Best man can go on your table if it has to be 8 exactly.

I have a similar table arrangement and we have between 6 and 8 on each . Grouped by age and things in common more than anything else.

Thanks everyone.
Mumathon it's a stressful situation isn't it?!
The reason for not having a top table in the first place was because my mum said only her and my dad should sit on it and dads GF should sit somewhere else!

I wasn't having that either.

Apart from a few cousins on my mums side there is no other family of mine coming, all estranged or dead unfortunately. My only sibling would be the ideal person for Mum to sit with but she's a bridesmaid.

Good solution Fremantle although (I know it sounds mean) but sitting with just our parents sounds like the boring table!

I think part of me thinks this is a good opportunity for DM to get over her weirdness around dads GF and just suck it up and be nice for one day. The other part knows her well enough that one of her nasty moods could ruin the whole day.

I know what you mean about the boring table but in fairness if you have the children with you it's not going to be a party table really. Who would you like on your table and which dad is more fun , yours or DH's?

How old are the children BTW? Could you not put on them on a table with your mum and sister - is she one with a partner or without? And maybe another bridesmaids .You two get a either dad plus partner, best man and spare bridesmaid plus partner?

I wouldon't put your mum on a table that she won't get on with someone just because it's your " parents" though.

I would have your bridesmaids and the best man. That "looks" normal because they're all part of the wedding party, and your parents and the bridesmaids' dps can go elsewhere

DC are 2,11.

I think I've decided to have the bridal party on our table and sit my mum with my cousins and an older friend of mine she knows.
Having my mum on our table will just make me anxious.
I forgot about my dads only sister who is coming solo and won't know anyone so she has to sit with my dad and his GF.
As some have said it's only for dinner and my mum is likely to be better behaved among others!

Thanks for all your advice, I'll get there in the end!