Top Table?

[RavenLG]

So, DP and I are thinking about our seating plan for the wedding. We have an uneven bridal party so we have the following options:

1. Sweetheart Table - think parents might be upset with this idea.
2. Have just parents and myself and DP.
3. Just have the table as uneven (2 bridesmaids, my mum and dad, myself and DP, DPs mum and dad and the best man) which is fine, but (and I love them dearly) my mum and fil are a bit quiet and awkward to talk to (thinking for best man and bridesmaid sat beside them). And, our venue states 8 to a table and this would be 9.
4. Were having long rows of tables so floated the idea of the “top table” being in the middle of one of the rows. I love this idea as it feels more intimate and social, lets everyone sit with partners and no one gets left out. The only downside I can see is during speeches it might get a bit cramped but if we space the tables out it should be ok? And depending on the layout one parent from each side wouldn’t be on “table 1” as they are numbered but would be directly next to us obviously. DP isn’t 100 % on this but is happy to do anything.

How would you work it? If there any other options I’d be happy to hear

Out top table was our was just our parents. We had the bridal Party on a table directly in front with there partners and family worked really well for us and ment no body was sat on there own. Good luck table plans are good fun to do you will she multiple versions before you finish.

I can imagine. DPs family are buggars and often falling out with each other so who knows what it will end up like by the time the wedding roles around!

No idea what we will do. Both my parents are divorced and remarried. Don’t agreee with bridesmaids and bestman being separated from their partners. We have two kids aswell.

I don’t like sweetheart tables though. Find them weird

Oh god Mummy I can imagine that’s a difficult situation. Yeah I agree re: sweetheart tables. Could you do a table just with you, husband and kids? That could be quite nice x

Not sure our wedding breakfast would btime very relaxed with a Just turned 2 and nearly 6yr old boys 😂😂😂

We have time to think, wedding isn’t until April 2020

I would do the long tables in your situation.

I have two bridesmaids and a brides-man, and my OH has two best men and a best woman. Together with their plus ones that brings us to 12, so we're having them all on the top table and putting our parents with their own friends.

We had a round table in the middle of our guests with 9 people, so it didn't feel unbalanced.

We didn't have a top table. Sat with our friends as we didn't wanna miss out on the party and no one wanted to sit with my dad. We had 2/3 ushers and bridesmaids with their partners and the other usher/bridesmaid sat on other tables with people they were more friendly with. Parents sat with their friends (admittedly my mum and dad were on different tables).

I agree with PP, sweetheart tables are weird.

Thanks for the opinions, I'm leaning more towards just mingling with everyone in a long row. Our venue doesn't have round tables but I don't really like them anyway (not sure why I feel like they're so big it's hard to talk across them)

Not sure our wedding breakfast would btime very relaxed with a Just turned 2 and nearly 6yr old boys Haha oh god, no it wouldn't be at all!

We had a nearly traditional top table of us, my parents, his parents and our 2 children (aged 4&6 - they were separated with one at each end of top table).

We then had round tables for everyone else, with bridal party all seated at one table. Made it easy as our best men and bridesmaids were already married so didn’t want to split them.

I’d definitely go for a long table and put people who they are comfortable with together or nearby. Don’t split couples up if you can help it, they will generally assume they are going to be sat together (and therefore able to share/swap food - I don’t like mushrooms so DH will always take mine).