Moving seats between courses

fjon

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of a wedding where the bride and groom moved seats between meal courses?

A suggestion I've had is that it might be a good way to mingle with guests if two places were set at 3 tables, and the bride and groom move between them.

I'm not sure about this, and was wondering if anyone has done it, or what your thoughts are.

jlm29

fjon wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone has any experience of a wedding where the bride and groom moved seats between meal courses?

A suggestion I've had is that it might be a good way to mingle with guests if two places were set at 3 tables, and the bride and groom move between them.

I'm not sure about this, and was wondering if anyone has done it, or what your thoughts are.

My cousin and his wife did it. I wasn't there, but my mother, who was, thought it was a great idea, and a lovely way to include lots of people. Nice alternative to a top table!

Valentina

If I was the bride I wouldn't like it. The meal is probably the only point of the day where you have a bit of time to just sit and relax-ish when it's all going on! Plenty of time to mingle afterwards.

I'm not the most social though so maybe it's just me

Tarzana2

I think it's a lovely idea if the couple are up for it.

But other couple would prefer just to chill, as Valentina said.

Either way is good!

Faith

I don't think it's a great idea, because you have empty seats at tables then. Also, I think it marks out 3 tables as 'special' and other tables might feel put out that they weren't deemed important enough.

We got up between courses and visited a few different tables each time, stopping and chatting for 5 or 10 minutes per table. It was a nice way to get to talk to everyone.

umop apisdn

If its a large wedding, you could have a bite at each table

Tarzana2

Faith wrote: »

I don't think it's a great idea, because you have empty seats at tables then. Also, I think it marks out 3 tables as 'special' and other tables might feel put out that they weren't deemed important enough.

It's a couple of seats per table, that would be barely noticeable. Tables will often have empty seats at weddings, with people not being able to make it at the last minute for whatever reason.

The three tables could be the bridal party, his parents and whoever else is that table and her parents and whoever else is at that table. I doubt anyone would take offence at that. The parents and bridal are the most important guests, in a way!

uck51js9zml2yt

We just took a walk among the tables between courses to chat to people.

Faith

Tarzana2 wrote: »

The three tables could be the bridal party, his parents and whoever else is that table and her parents and whoever else is at that table. I doubt anyone would take offence at that. The parents and bridal are the most important guests, in a way!

They're the people you see most of on the day, and the people that would mostly be at a top table. So all you'd be doing in that instance is swapping one big top table for 3 smaller ones, which wouldn't increase mingling at all. I took it that the OP wants to increase mingling with guests they might not spend a lot of time with.

amdublin

Valentina wrote: »

If I was the bride I wouldn't like it. The meal is probably the only point of the day where you have a bit of time to just sit and relax-ish when it's all going on! Plenty of time to mingle afterwards.

I really can't imagine doing it tbh.


Does it sound like something you want to be doing op?

Tarzana2

Faith wrote: »

They're the people you see most of on the day, and the people that would mostly be at a top table. So all you'd be doing in that instance is swapping one big top table for 3 smaller ones, which wouldn't increase mingling at all. I took it that the OP wants to increase mingling with guests they might not spend a lot of time with.

Aye, but for anyone who dislikes the top table idea (and I'd be one of those people), it's a good plan. There'd also be a bit more mingling as there'd be more people at the three tables combined than the top table. You'd just have to ensure that there was another allotted time to get around to chat to all the other guests.

This would just be a very individual thing really, many couples wouldn't like the faff of moving tables between courses, while others would enjoy. But honestly, any guest that would take offence at this would be a bit precious, especially if the couple do get around to talk to everyone at some stage!

PhoenixParker

I hate top tables and for language barrier reasons didn't really like any of the alternatives so we went with the sweetheart table which we had in the centre of the room.

It might work for you?

I know it sounds a bit lonely but it was so lovely. The few quiet minutes we had by ourselves were wonderful and then we pottered around tables between courses and people stopped by to chat.

amdublin

PhoenixParker wrote: »

I hate top tables and for language barrier reasons didn't really like any of the alternatives so we went with the sweetheart table which we had in the centre of the room.

It might work for you?

I know it sounds a bit lonely but it was so lovely. The few quiet minutes we had by ourselves were wonderful and then we pottered around tables between courses and people stopped by to chat.

I like the sweetheart table idea!

What were the alternatives you didn't like?

PhoenixParker

Option 1 was a long normal table with everyone facing each other. Rectangular as opposed to round to fit everyone in. Option 2 was the same as above but with a semi circular table at the top where myself and himself would sit, then all the guest tables in a U around us.

We could've made option 2 work but we had a tiny ceremony the day before with dinner afterwards for all the top table people. Then at the Saturday reception my sisters boyfriends were meeting the family for the first time, husband's aunt and cousin were over and rarely see his mom. His mom doesn't speak English and two of her friends from home were over and also didn't speak English. So my parents hosted a table with their friends and siblings. My sisters sat with their favourite cousins. Husband's family and friends sat together and we had the loveliest time taking in the day just the two of us with a little mingling between courses.

EnigmaFish

Interesting, I was thinking of doing something similar. It appears that most posters who aren't in favour of moving tables are thinking of large weddings. I'm having a small wedding. There's going to be maximum fifty people and they'll be sitting at one of three tables: his friends, my friends or family. So, if there's three tables and three courses, I think it makes sense to move. My fiancé thinks I'm daft.
I also like this idea of a sweetheart table. Could someone explain that to me in more detail?

fjon

To give an update on this for anyone contemplating it in future:

We ended up moving tables between courses. There were three tables and three courses.
It worked pretty well, but you have to chose your tables - by the time you get to the last table they will probably be a bit tipsy drunk, and you may want to (or not want to) sit beside certain people in this state.

I'd say if you're thinking of it and have a small wedding it's worth doing. Not sure about a big wedding though.