Rectangular tables vs. Circular tables. What's best?

antiskeptic

Our recent reception was held in a Dublin restaurant with rectangular tables fairly closely set together. There was about 10-12 folk per table and around 100 overall. What we noticed was the stark difference in athmosphere between this set up and the reception we'd been at a few weeks before - where circular tables were used with about the same number of people at them. There was a constant buzz of conversation at our reception and a rather stifled scene at the other - even though the 'crowd' was fairly evenly mixed in both cases

What have folk here found to be the best case?

Toots

I think a lot depends on the size of the tables and the amount of people at them. I've been at weddings with average sized circular tables, usually about 10 or 12 at a table, and there's been great craic and atmosphere. Was also at a wedding where there was 10/12 people at a circular table, but they were massive, so you could only really talk to the people next to you, if you were trying to chat to those on the other side of the table you'd have been shouting.

cyning

Definately circular: at least you have some hope of being able to talk to everyone. If uts rectangle you are definately shouting to talk to the persona t the other end of the table :eek:

mariebeth

It also depends on the crowd you have at a wedding, some people just gel better together than others do.

NextSteps

At circular tables, you have only 2 people you can talk directly with. At a long table, you have the 2 on either side, plus two or three opposite you, much better I find. You can dip in and out of converstions better too.

Turbulent Bill

UB wrote: »

At circular tables, you have only 2 people you can talk directly with. At a long table, you have the 2 on either side, plus two or three opposite you, much better I find. You can dip in and out of converstions better too.

Exactly. Circular tables should in theory allow you to talk to everyone at the table, but as the 10/12 person ones are so big that you generally just chat to whoever's directly beside you. All of the table ornaments and rubbish in the centre don't help either.

Unless you're at the end of a rectangular table you'll have at least 5 people within talking distance, maybe more. That said, I think round tables look better in a room, less of a school canteen vibe.

Ultimately guests don't care - whether they chat or not isn't down to the table shape.

antiskeptic

Turbulent Bill wrote: »

Exactly. Circular tables should in theory allow you to talk to everyone at the table, but as the 10/12 person ones are so big that you generally just chat to whoever's directly beside you. All of the table ornaments and rubbish in the centre don't help either.

Now I remember! There was this problem of the distance to those opposite us at the circular table - you couldn't talk comfortably without leaning and raising your voice. But it was the central ornaments that made it not even worth the effort.

Ultimately guests don't care - whether they chat or not isn't down to the table shape.

Agreed. But I suppose the less obstacles there are to chatting the easier the chat will be made.