So you've thrashed out the guest list. You've made those tricky decisions concerning whether you should invite your mum's cousin Margaret who you haven't seen since the '80s or your colleague's partner who your fiance cannot bear. But, no sooner has the ink dried on the final list and there's another drama looming on the horizon. The table plan.
Caught the Light
Before you even thrash out who should sit next to who - and debate whether great Auntie Maud will find common ground with your potential loose canon of a uni pal - you'll need to decide on the layout of your reception space.
THE TABLE DEBATE
Round, rectangular, trestle? You might think a table's a table, but the shape of the tables you choose makes a huge impact where it comes to the issue of space, the sociability factor and enhancing your wedding theme.
Round tables: "Round tables are easier for guests to mill around and encourage conversation," advises wedding planner Ali Berry (aliberryweddings.co.uk). "They also come with the benefit of being able to comfortably share food and drinks without calling down the table." Round tables do, however, come with some implications where it comes to space and cost. "They take up a lot of space, and can be expensive to dress as they require one centrepiece and decor such as candles per table," says Ali.
Khalile Siddiqui
Rectangular/trestle tables: Rectangular tables and long rows of trestle tables are growing in popularity with couples seeking a relaxed vibe or a nostalgic country fete feel. "Rectangular tables make the table plan easier as groups can be merged along the table without separating people. You can also fit more people in as rectangular tables take up less space," says Ali. "Long rows of trestles have the feeling of a big family dinner and seem more relaxed than a formal layout of round tables," says Elle Winsor-Grime of Inspire Hire (inspire-hire.co.uk). Then there's the aesthetic factor. "The symmetry of flowers or candle arrangements on a long table creates a fantastic visual effect," says Ali.
Rectangular tables can, however, disturb the flow of guests: "They can make seating crowded and restrict conversation as you can only talk to people on either side or in front of you," says Ali.
Square tables: Square tables bring a clean and modern aesthetic to your reception. If you're having a small wedding, you might arrange a series of square tables in one big loop so that everyone sits together.
In the mix: Many fashion-forward couples are now rejecting a uniform approach in favour of a more eclectic reception. "Why not combine a combination of round, square and long trestle tables?" says Elle. "I really like this from an aesthetic point of view, and it creates a modern, relaxed and informal vibe."
Life Photographic
THE TOP TABLE
The traditional top table comprises a long table seating the starts of the show - i.e. the bride, groom, both sets of parents, best man and chief bridesmaid - who sit on one side facing the guests. However, current trends are seeing a move away from this approach. "It restricts conversation as you can only talk to the person on either side of you," says Ali. "Also, a lot of people feel 'on show', especially when they are eating." Many modern weddings now see the bride and groom seated on a round table in the centre of the reception space with the bridal party, while the parents will often sit with friends or family. Or you could even choose a private table for two and gaze lovingly into the eyes of your new spouse throughout the meal. "Some couples opt to have a sweetheart table just for them," says Ali.
Ultimately, you should make a decision based on the option you deem most comfortable and enjoyable for you and your guests. "The only key element to consider is that the top table must be visible to all tables, especially during the speeches," advises Ali.
Luna Photography
TAKE A SEAT
After the guest list, many brides cite the table plan as the second most stressful - and potentially contentious - job on the to-do list. It gets even trickier if you have the choppy waters of warring relatives, bitter divorces or guests who don't like each other to contend with.
Bear in mind a few key rules when you embark on the table plan. "Try and create balanced tables with an even number of each gender, and guests either of a similar age or who are likely to have common interests," advises Ali. "If mixing up tables, ensure enough confident chatty people are placed on each table and distributed around the table to encourage conversation."
Keep your nearest and dearest - as well as any elderly guests - close to you. "The tables nearest to the top table should be kept for your closest friends and family. Seat elderly guests closer to the top table, especially if they are hard of hearing or shortsighted," recommends Ali.
Caught the Light
What about the issue of couples and singles? "Most couples are more comfortable when they're together," says Ali. "And don't create a table made up entirely of singles. Avoid having a table of all those who didn't fit into the grouping of other tables as they end up feeling like the 'leftovers' at your party."
Inviting young children? Then ensure you seat them with their parents. "Parents with very young children should be seated towards the edge of the room to minimise the potential for disruption and allow them to make a quick exit," advises Ali.
It might seem obvious but don't put people who don't get on well together on the same table; there might be a lot of love in the room but don't use your wedding as an opportunity to address tensions - particularly when there's alcohol involved.
Similarly, if you have divorced parents with a less than amicable relationship, avoid seating them close together. "Round tables make it difficult to separate feuding relatives without it seeming obvious," says Ali. "If you're having round tables, a fab way to deal with divorced parents is to let each parent host their own table. This way you are ensuring that everyone is having a good time and not being forced to be nice for the sake of your wedding." Long tables make this issue easier to handle. "You can separate guests without them feeling singled out as you can space them along the table," suggests Ali.
Don't stress out attempting to keep everyone happy. "You should arrange your guests in a way that works best for you and offers your guests the opportunity to mingle," says Ali. "You can only help encourage a good atmosphere - the rest is up to your guests!
Caught the Light
TABLE CENTREPIECES
Before you get carried away with visions of flamboyant table centrepieces, there are a few practicalities to consider. "Think about the height - can your guests see each other over or around the table centrepiece?" says Elle. "Consider the diameter - is there room on the table for all the other items such as wine, butter, salt and pepper? Then there's the positioning - if you're having long trestle tables, try and position your table centrepieces in between guests rather than directly in front."
Flowers are obviously a classic, versatile and endlessly beautiful choice for your table centrepieces. Whether it's wild flowers in mismatched glassware for a vintage mood or elaborate blooms frosted with sparkle for a glamorous aesthetic, you can tailor the style to your wedding theme.
Don't fancy flowers? There's an endless array of alternative options. Think storm lanterns filled with sand, driftwood, shells and candles, paper flowers or a stack of your favourite books. "Candelabras can be used to create a timeless, elegant mood or a modern sleek image. You can dress them with the likes of strands of crystals and pearls, ivy and fruit," says Elle. "Fruit makes an exciting alternative to flowers - in Italy table centrepieces are often made entirely from lemons, limes and sprigs of bay. And how about vases filled with fruit, feathers, butterflies, sweets or baubles at Christmas?"
"Consider individual pot plants with assorted flowers and herbs, which guests can take home at the end of the night, doubling up as favours," suggests Ali. "If you have a sweet tooth, consider having a macaroon tower or candy bar in the middle of each table."
Or you might go for a highly personal option, designing your centrepieces based on your hobbies or experiences. "One couple have asked me to tailor their table centrepieces to tell a story about themselves and their life together," says Elle. "One table will be about their travels, with maps, travel books, vintage tickets and postcards; one will reflect the bride's love of horses containing a horseshoe, vintage riding hat, stirrup and boot, rosettes; and so on."
There are further ways to bring a splash of colour to the table. "Think about different coloured table runners, tablecloths and napkins, which can be decorated with ribbons or fresh flowers," suggests Elle.
Jilly Good Wedding / Sarah Lauren
Creative ideas for top tables
Base your table names on things that mean something to you, for example, places you've visited together, your favourite musicians or songs, family surnames or names of loved ones who have passed on and were really special to you, like grandparents or pets.
If you love to read, place a stack of hardback books on the table to create a stand for your flowers.
Tuck handwritten notes into the napkins for your guests with a special memory that you have of them.
If you're printing the menus, give the dishes names inspired by your relationship or experiences together.
Vintage photo frames with pictures of you growing up or your journey as a couple, mixed with frames holding your favourite poems, set around candles makes a romantic centrepiece.
Grow your own flowers or, if you're creative, hand paint ceramic vases.
Be creative with your table plan. It might be a stepladder entwined with flowers, a suitcase strung with vintage tags or a window adorned with wild flowers. Guest tags are also growing in popularity.
Jolly Good Wedding / Sarah Lauren
words Rebecca Matthews
Copyright WED Magazine 2012
