Wedding Receptions: How To Set Up The Tables

Getting the wedding tables right can make a big difference to your wedding reception. Get things right, and the reception will be a great event enjoyed by all, with everyone having fun and no-one getting stressed. Get it wrong though, and people will be bored, worried and confused.

There's one common mistake that people make that often kills conversations at a reception before they can even start. It's easily avoided, but I've seen way too many receptions ruined because of this one simple mistake. But I'll discuss that later - first I need to cover the seating arrangements...

When setting the seating positions, you should start with the bride and groom. Place the bride and groom together, with the groom on the left hand-side of the bride.

From here there are 2 standard ways to set up the guests:

With the first way set the Chief Bridesmaid and Best Man to the right-handside of the bride. Then place a groomsman and a bridesmaid to the left of the groom, and then another groomsman and a bridesmaid to the right of the bride, and so-on until the bridal partly are all accounted for.

The other standard way is to just have guests arranged boy & girl around the table.

Really though, it doesn't matter how the guests are arranged. Just arrange them however you think would work. It's more important to ensure that:

• The bridal table is situated so it is in plain site of everyone at the reception.
• Everyone at the bridal table is facing the rest of the reception. It is important that no-one has their backs to the reception!
• There is ample room around the bridal table, so that guests can easily get to the table and congratulate the newly married couple.

The other thing to consider is the table decorations. Keep any table decorations small and to the center of the tables. Your guests want to be able to talk to each other and not around the centerpiece! This can't be stressed enough! Sure, you want nice looking decorations, but making sure that everyone can talk too each other easily is much more important!

If you want to have candles then keep them low. Try candle-float bowls and maybe a few roses (or any other flower heads) floating in the bowl. Candle wreaths also look good, especially when placed on a small candle holder.

The bridal table centerpiece should be something just a little more elaborate than the decorations of the other guests tables but along the same theme. Again, make sure it isn't too big! The guests need to be able to see the bride and groom!

In regards to the colors you use, try neutral colors like pink, cream or white, as these will match most color themes. The bridal table should have a white cloth, offset against a coloured table. Why not mix and match colours on the guests tables? This adds fun and makes things look happy and alive. Don't be afraid to use color!

A final tip: Try not to make the reception too formal. Relax, and have some fun!

Peta D'Silva is the webmaster of http://www.visionsofsilk.com, a website devoted to silk-bouquets, and other wedding-related subjects. Read more of her articles about weddings here

---

Choosing a Wedding Date ?- When You?re Feeling Indecisive

He ? or she ? asked, and you answered in... Read More

Florida Beach Weddings

There is nothing more romantic than a wedding by water... Read More

Anniversary Gift Guide

An anniversary gift is the opportunity to show your loved... Read More

The Perfect Wedding Budget

Creating a wedding budget is one of the first things... Read More

The Charm of Homemade Wedding Favors

Homemade wedding favors come from a centuries old tradition of... Read More

What Happens If You Dont Wear Proper Wedding Shoes?

Here comes the bride! Walking through the alley confidence holding... Read More

Creating A Prenuptial Agreement

Embarking upon a marriage is a wonderful time in life... Read More

The Bigger the Carat the Better the Wedding?

Ahh . . . sweet romance.The flowers. The chocolate. The... Read More

Ending Co-Dependence

Why does Co-dependence arise? Well because two or more individuals... Read More

Planning Weddings on a Budget

Planning as early as possible for your wedding is the... Read More

Bridal Shop Owner Reveals Insider Secrets Every Bride Should Know

Your wedding is nine months away and you decide to... Read More

Wedding Dresses ? Why They Are White and Other Wedding Lore

Brides have always worn white, right? Not so. In ancient... Read More

Your Disc Jockey Acts As A Wedding Event Planner

Give disc jockey's credit. Many of them have endured so... Read More

Why You Should Buy that Wedding Gift from the Gift Registry - OR, the Wedding Gifts from Hell!

When you come to choose a wedding gift it's no... Read More

Top Wedding Fitness Questions (and their answers)

As a Personal Trainer for brides-to-be, I often get asked... Read More

Butterfly Releases

Butterfly Releases offer the viewer the chance to see beauty... Read More

Common Format Of A Wedding Reception

The following article can be copied but you must keep... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon. Article No.2

Ah! It's the wedding night. You've cut the cake, drank... Read More

Cheap Wedding Invitations

Every couple has different priorities when it comes to budgeting... Read More

Beyond Her Grasp

I am a woman, 42, who three years ago married... Read More

Wedding Speeches Made Easy: Wedding Speech or Best Mans Speech Tips

Have you ever had to give a wedding speech? As... Read More

Can a Marital Separation Ever Save a Marriage?

As an experienced counselor, one of the questions I'm asked... Read More

Proper Etiquette for the Wedding Invitation

The invitation is the first impression of the type of... Read More

3 Steps to Marrying the Right Person

Marrying for love, financial security and/or companionship does not guarantee... Read More

How You Answer This Question Can Change Your Marriage

Imagine the following scenario. Your spouse has given you an... Read More

Caricature Entertainment: A Surefire Way to Liven Up Your Wedding Celebration

Caricature entertainment will make your wedding celebration stand out and... Read More

Anniversary Gifts that Say I Love You

Exchanging anniversary gifts is a long standing tradition. Many couples... Read More

How to Choose a Pearl Necklace for Your Wedding Day

The elegant beauty of a strand of pearls... Read More

A Wedding For All Seasons

In times gone by it wasn't uncommon for young couples... Read More

Displaying Your Wedding Bouquet

The great day has come and gone, and you are... Read More

Replacing Your Lost Wedding Ring

Imagine it's Halloween evening and you've just gone to the... Read More

Unique Beach Wedding Receptions

The most unique beach wedding reception ideas are sparked by... Read More

Cookie Wedding Favors

Cookies as wedding favors, create an unique twist on the... Read More