Tips For Choosing Your Head Table Style & Design
Today’s Blog is all about choosing where you will be spending your first few moments as a married couple - the head table! Not only can you have fun tailoring your head table layout to your preferred style, but there are so many stunningly unique ways to design the head table!
As we dive into todays blog, we are going to breakdown the four most popular head tables we see, and give you some inspirations on how to decorate them. Let’s get into it!
01. Harvest Table
This involves seating the couple at the end, and the wedding party all along the sides. This is becoming more popular, and we’ve seen a variety of layouts that we love. This way you can converse with people across the table, see one another, and minimize the spotlight on the couple if they’re more shy. If you have a smaller wedding party but still want to do this, consider having their plus ones at the table too! You can distinguish the couple sitting on a settee, armchairs, couch, etc. We just worked a wedding where the harvest table was only for immediate family, rather than the wedding party, which was really cool! It gives you a chance to talk with your family, and your wedding party can sit with their plus ones.
02. Sweetheart Table
This is just a special table for the happy couple! The wedding party is dispersed throughout the tables, and they get to sit with their plus one’s. The sweetheart table is such a wonderful options for couples who want some time to themselves, and it provides a great vantage point for photography/videography, and speeches. You also gain some flexibility with where you want the table placed since its much smaller. You can find a spot your venue that offers a great background, reuse your ceremony arch, or add a fun backdrop - the options are endless!
03. Traditional Table
The Traditional head table is one you’ve likely seen a time or two. One sided, commonly on a riser or set up with a backdrop to make the table pop. This layout provides a great vantage point for photography/videography, speeches, and is by far the most popular set up. It puts the couple and the wedding party in the spotlight, and if you’re all about that then we suggest looking at this set up! If you want to add visual interest, bend the sides of the table in to make a C shape.
04. Family Style
Rather than distinguishing the couple at their own table or with their friends, a family style reception blends them in with their guests. They could be seated next to their family, grandparents, etc. and feel like they spent more time with guests. This is almost getting rid of the head table, but you can still distinguish the couple by sitting at the head of the table on a loveseat, armchairs, or other fun seating options.
Now let’s jump into how to design these tables!
01. Harvest Table
Harvest tables are very fun to decorate and make as lush as possible. This is a great space to repurpose the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets on the head table and give them a second use, as well as a ceremony backdrop/aisle piece. We’ve decorated harvest tables with candles (pillars, votives, candlesticks), lush greens, statement fabrics, simple bud vases - anything your heart desires! Think about how you’d like the table to look, and remember that it’ll be the most photographed table. One fun trend we’ve seen is to place disposable cameras on the head table so you all can take fun photos to remember for years to come.
02. Sweetheart Table
Sweetheart tables are becoming some of our favorites to decorate and really pour our creativity into. You can choose to keep them simple with just a bouquet and some candles, or you can really dress them up and make a statement. Again, this is a great space to repurpose the bridal bouquets and give it a second use, as well as a ceremony backdrop/aisle piece. Think about renting a settee or small couch to sit on with your partner - or check to see if your venue has one onsite! It’s nice to be able to snuggle up as the evening progresses and as you listen to speeches!
03. Traditional Table
Traditional Head Tables can be thought of similarly to the harvest tables, but it’s all just one sided and longer. Depending on where in the reception space the table will be, if you’re backed up against a wall you could look into renting a fun backdrop to make the table pop more, or repurpose your ceremony backdrop and add a neon sign.
04. Family Style
Family Style tables give an interesting opportunity to lean into the decorations more and really beef up every table. Greens running along the tables, bridesmaid vases repurposed, centerpiece arrangements, etc. Or, you could go with simple bud vases and votives, and really let the people and their joy shine. If you'd like the couple to be set apart, reuse their ceremony backdrop, or consider renting a small backdrop for a pop, or just consider renting a settee.
There are many layouts and styles you can decide between when choosing your head table - but the most important thing is making sure you’re choosing to create a design that reflects your ideal way to spend your first moments as a married couple! Whether you envision yourself spending devoted time with your spouse at a sweetheart table, continuing the party with your bridal party at a traditional or harvest style table, or mingling with your closest guests family style, there is sure to be the perfect head table for you!
Remember to get creative and have fun as you design your table, and be sure to look for those opportunities to repurpose floral arrangements, bouquets, and ceremony backdrops. It will help save some money and offer a great visual transition from the ceremony to reception space!