Help
Help!!!
My fiance' and I are in disagreement about how tables should be set up for our reception. I gave in to him when he suggested we not have a formal sit down dinner. He wants a more relaxed atmosphere with lots & lots of hors d'oeuvres set up on a buffet and feels we should use cocktail size tables instead of tables that seat 8 - 10 people! I don't agree but I want to respect his opinion and incorporate his ideas, after all, it is his wedding too! Aside from the relaxed atmosphere he is also considering our budget! Would it improper to use the large tables for the wedding party & immediate family and scatter cocktails for our guests?? Should I use placecards??
I had decided on using glass bell hurricanes & votives for centerpieces and he likes that idea but thinks we should mix it up with flowers & votives on half the tables and the hurricane and votives on the others. I don't know if this is proper! Shouldn't centerpieces be consistent throughout???
The wedding is in July and my favorite color is red. I decided (and he agreed) to use red & gold. I haven't decided which will be the primary and which will be the accent! Now that i'm thinking of it, since its a summer wedding what fabrics for the tablecloths are appropriate! As you can see we need HELP! (smile)
Barbra
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Type of tables & centerpieces at wedding reception?
#2 Guest_expertplanner_*
Posted 11 October 2025 - 08:29 AM
Dear BAK:
My recommendation is that if you can be consistent with the tables and have 60" rounds, which are the tables that seat 8 - 10 guests, for everyone then do that. The reason is because there are two problems that can happen when using cocktail tables. One, some venues don't offer chairs with them and so guests have had to stand up the entire reception. If you are lucky enough to book a venue that offers seats, then this isn't an issue. Placecards are always a good idea and especially if you are going to have a few large tables for the family only.
Two, when you have only two or three large tables and a dozen or so cocktail tables, more times than not guests can pick up on the fact that you couldn't afford, or didn't want to pay for, having the larger tables. I don't know if this is important to you but it's a thought.
You can change up reception table arrangements. All centerpieces do not have to be the same. Actually, changing up the arrangements helps to make your reception look more inviting.
As for the fabrics on the tables and your colors, typically the venue will either provide you use of black or white and both will look fine with your red and gold colors.
I hope this helps.
My recommendation is that if you can be consistent with the tables and have 60" rounds, which are the tables that seat 8 - 10 guests, for everyone then do that. The reason is because there are two problems that can happen when using cocktail tables. One, some venues don't offer chairs with them and so guests have had to stand up the entire reception. If you are lucky enough to book a venue that offers seats, then this isn't an issue. Placecards are always a good idea and especially if you are going to have a few large tables for the family only.
Two, when you have only two or three large tables and a dozen or so cocktail tables, more times than not guests can pick up on the fact that you couldn't afford, or didn't want to pay for, having the larger tables. I don't know if this is important to you but it's a thought.
You can change up reception table arrangements. All centerpieces do not have to be the same. Actually, changing up the arrangements helps to make your reception look more inviting.
As for the fabrics on the tables and your colors, typically the venue will either provide you use of black or white and both will look fine with your red and gold colors.
I hope this helps.
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